Riga to Host Northern Europe’s Leading Science and Technology Conference 'Deep Tech Atelier 2026'

On 14–15 May, Riga will host the eighth edition of Deep Tech Atelier 2026 — the largest science- and technology-driven conference in Northern Europe. Over the years, the conference has become an important platform for attracting investment, commercialising innovation, and fostering the development of new high value-added companies in Latvia and across the region.

Organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the event will bring together more than 2,000 scientists, technology entrepreneurs, startups, investors, and policymakers to strengthen the deep tech ecosystem and enhance Latvia’s competitiveness in global markets.

Science-based technologies are among Latvia’s strategically important drivers of economic growth, highlighting the country’s potential to become a significant deep tech hub in Northern Europe. Such events contribute to the creation of new companies, the attraction of investment, and the development of high value-added exports — all essential for Latvia’s long-term economic growth.

Ieva Jāgere, Director General of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), states:

“Deep Tech Atelier is a platform that connects science with business and helps ideas grow into export-capable companies. LIAA’s goal is to strengthen Latvia’s competitiveness by attracting investment and fostering an innovation-driven business environment.”

This year’s conference will focus on artificial intelligence, data technologies, defence and health innovations, as well as their practical industrial applications. Particular attention will also be given to Latvia’s innovation potential in areas such as robotics, space technologies, and secure digital systems.

A Platform for Investment and Collaboration

Over the course of two days, more than 100 industry experts will take the stage across three conference tracks — Deep Tech, Deep Frontier, and Growth Stage. The programme will address both strategic questions related to technology development and regulation, as well as practical examples of innovation implementation.

The conference programme will include:

- a Startup Pitch Competition,

- meetings between investors and companies,

- an EXPO area featuring technology demonstrations,

- networking and partnership-building events.

This year, the startup competition attracted 77 teams from Latvia, the United Kingdom, France, Estonia, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye, Hungary, Germany, and Sweden. Ten finalists will present their ideas to an international audience of investors and industry representatives, competing for investment opportunities and strategic partnerships.

Latvia’s Innovation Ecosystem and LIAA Support

LIAA implements Latvia’s national policy for investment attraction, innovation, and export promotion, strengthening the country’s competitiveness in international markets.

Latvia continues to develop a targeted support environment for startups and technology companies, including:

- the Startup Support Law,

- a startup visa programme,

- support mechanisms for attracting highly qualified specialists,

- innovation and research programmes,

- testing opportunities through a regulatory sandbox framework.

Latvia is also actively developing its artificial intelligence and data technology ecosystem, promoting the responsible and secure adoption of innovation in business.

About the Conference

Organised by LIAA, Deep Tech Atelier 2026 aims to accelerate the transformation of science-based innovations into export-capable products and companies, promote foreign investment attraction, and strengthen collaboration between research institutions, businesses, and the public sector.

Last year, the conference attracted more than 2,000 participants from 62 countries, demonstrating its growing importance within the international innovation and investment ecosystem.

Deep Tech Atelier is implemented within the framework of the European Regional Development Fund co-financed projects “Support for Improving the Technology Transfer System” and “Innovative Entrepreneurship Development for SMEs”, as well as with co-financing from the European Union Recovery Fund (NextGenerationEU).

More information about the conference:  https://deeptechatelier.com/

About the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA)

LIAA promotes the competitiveness of Latvian companies, export growth, and investment attraction, while also developing the tourism sector and implementing Latvia’s national branding strategy. The agency acts as a strategic partner for business development — from idea to international markets. Through an extensive network of international representative offices and regional business centres across Latvia, LIAA supports company growth and positions Latvia as a safe, innovative, and open economy within the global market.