On 24 September, at the “Industry Day & Sensing the Future” event organised by the biomedical and photonics innovation platform “BioPhoT” and the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), scientists, technology developers, and industry representatives will explore how to ensure that researchers’ ideas do not remain in laboratories, but become technologies, products, and solutions that help companies increase their competitiveness and contribute to Latvia’s economic growth.
The event programme will focus on direct dialogue between researchers and industry, demonstrations of new technologies, and the exploration of cooperation opportunities. Registration for free participation is available on the “BioPhoT” website.
During the first part of the event – “Industry Day” – visitors will be welcomed at ISSP UL, Ķengaraga iela 8. Representatives of technology-based companies who wish to learn about the latest research results developed in Latvia and explore opportunities for cooperation with scientists are especially encouraged to attend. Participants will have the opportunity to visit ISSP UL laboratories and discuss possible forms of cooperation with researchers.
Participants will have the opportunity to choose between two parallel thematic sessions presenting technologies developed within ERA Chair projects under the European Union’s research and innovation programme Horizon Europe, as well as their potential applications.
The first session will focus on the SWEB (Smart Windows for Zero Energy Buildings) project. Within the project, materials science researchers at ISSP UL are developing smart windows and functional coatings that help reduce energy consumption in buildings.
The second session will focus on the FeLow-D (Low-Dimensional Ferroelectrics for Advanced Electronic and Biomedical Devices) project. Its researchers are developing new nanoscale ferroelectric materials for future electronics, sensors, energy harvesting, and biomedical devices.
The first part of the day at ISSP UL will conclude with a discussion in which industry representatives will reflect on the potential of the technologies and the real-world requirements that must be met for scientific results to be commercially viable.
The aim of the second part of the event – “Sensing the Future” – which will take place at the UL House of Science, Jelgavas iela 3, is to inspire and be inspired, engage in conversations, network, and foster an open exchange of ideas. Participants will have the opportunity to hear a discussion with internationally recognised quantum computing expert Prof. Koen Bertels (Belgium) and learn about innovations developed by Latvian scientists within the “BioPhoT” platform in the fields of energy, communications, and advanced manufacturing. Industry will play an important role in the event by carrying out an “Industry Reality Check” – evaluating technologies developed by researchers from an industry perspective.
The programme’s discussion will feature Ainars Ozols, Chief Technology Officer at “Baltic Photonics”; Ilmārs Osmanis, founder of “Lightspace Group”; Nikita Kazakevičs, Head of the Innovation Development Department at “Latvijas Mobilais Telefons”; and other industry representatives connected with the event’s themes.
During the 40-second “Matchmaker” session, participants will have the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves, their expertise, or their cooperation needs and identify potential partners for future collaboration.
About BioPhoT
The biomedical and photonics innovation platform “BioPhoT” (“Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for the Development of Innovative Products”) strengthens innovation education and technology transfer in Latvia by fostering cooperation between scientists, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
“BioPhoT” provides scientists with support in developing innovative technologies and commercialisation strategies, addressing intellectual property issues, and identifying potential industry partners, thereby reducing the gap between science and the market and helping promising ideas cross the so-called “valley of death” on the path to commercialisation.
Since 2025, 66 Latvian innovation projects have been developed within the “BioPhoT” platform. To date, €12.7 million has been invested in their development. The platform’s goal is to advance technologies to the commercialisation stage by 2032.
Under the leadership of the National Research and Innovation Institute, “BioPhoT” is implemented by the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science, the University of Latvia, the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, Rīga Stradiņš University, and Riga Technical University.
Project No. IVPP-EM-Inovācija-2024/1-0002 “Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for the Development of Innovative Products (BioPhoT)” is implemented within the long-term State Research Programme “Innovation Fund – Long-Term Research Programme”, funded by the Ministry of Economics.
