StartSchool introduces a new investment opportunity: up to EUR 50,000 for the most promising projects

To foster the development of startups and help founders fully focus on building their products, the IT and startup program StartSchool has introduced a new investment opportunity, offering up to EUR 50,000 for the development of the most promising projects. This initiative is led by Latvian tech entrepreneur Jānis Berdigans, who has committed to investing at least EUR 100,000 annually. The investment is intended for projects that have already moved beyond the idea stage - founders who have tested their assumptions, built prototypes, and demonstrated the ability to work intensively.

“The best way to drive Latvia’s economic growth is by encouraging the creation of high value-added companies that can generate thousands of jobs in the future. StartSchool’s original goal remains unchanged - to foster the creation of at least ten unicorns, or companies valued at over one billion dollars. However, for any idea to reach execution, capital is essential. This initiative is designed to support the most promising ideas in reaching a stage where they can begin attracting venture capital funding,” says entrepreneur, Printify co-founder, and StartSchool’s main supporter, Jānis Berdigans.

“At the early stages of any idea, the biggest limitation is not talent, but the ability to stay focused. We see founders capable of building real products, yet too often they are forced to divide their attention between their startup and other sources of income. This initiative allows them to fully dedicate themselves to developing their startup for a period of time. It also strengthens our position in the Baltic startup ecosystem as a new type of player - one that not only prepares founders for the next step, but also helps them take it,” emphasizes StartSchool CEO and co-founder Anna Andersone.

Already this year, the most promising teams will receive investment offers during the StartSchool Demo Day, enabling them to continue developing their products immediately after completing the program. At the same time, the program remains open for applications, with plans to provide learning opportunities for 120 participants and offer 50 scholarships that fully cover tuition fees.

This intake will begin on 24 August 2026 and conclude on 20 August 2027. Interested applicants are invited to complete the online application at startschool.org by 20 April. The selection process will take place in two rounds during April and May, with results announced in June.

The program has never been just a place to learn technical skills or test ideas - it has always been a structured pathway from zero to a validated startup. Now, it is also becoming a platform where the strongest teams are not only built, but also financially supported. The mission of the program is to position Latvia as a globally competitive technology hub by offering self-directed learning. It prepares graduates not only for careers in tech companies but also inspires them to launch their own startups.

The program is supported through expertise and financial contributions from the Berdigans Foundation “Ar mīlestību Latvijai”, Nutrameg, Swisscom DevOps Center in Riga, EazyBI, Balcia Insurance, Scandiweb, ITissible, Fonds Augt, Gravity Team, the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency startup ecosystem development program, GoCardless, DelfinGroup, SEB Bank, and others.