The day before the Deep Tech Atelier conference in Riga, EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative Pledger, Riga Technical University (RTU) hosted a dynamic Open Door Day, that offered conference guests and tech enthusiasts a chance to explore the latest technologies developed by RTU researchers, learn about opportunities for scientific commercialisation, and visit university labs.
Pledgers of the Initiative and the team participated at the event that focused on deep tech talent, the growing momentum behind research-driven innovation in Latvia and beyond, and the impact covering the steps from lab to market.
Natalie Cernecka, Manager of the EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative gave a brief introduction to the Initiative and the Latvian EIT Community Officer Alina Dolmate presented EIT Community opportunities to an audience of researchers from Latvia and beyond.
At the heart of the event was a series of presentations from researchers that not only revealed promising innovations, but also a wider ecosystem push toward meaningful commercialisation.
Jakub Jasiczak, Chairman, Polish Association of University Knowledge Transfer Companies, a Pledger of EIT Deep Tech Talent Initiative, challenged how European nations view deep tech acceleration: “We cannot build deep tech ecosystems by ignoring universities. Real innovation comes when scientists understand market needs and collaborate closely with industry. Deep tech must be rooted in science, and in purpose.”
His message resonated strongly with others on the panel, especially Haim Piratinskiy, Head of Israeli Technology and Innovation at Festo, who reflected on his experience scaling innovations inside and outside universities and working with tech transfer offices: “We avoided university spinouts for years until we saw it done right. The challenge is not the research, it’s the paperwork, the red tape. If we want innovation, we need frameworks that let it flow.”
That fix, it seems, starts with realistic expectations and better support. Both Jakub and Haim emphasised that forcing scientists into CEO roles is a dead end.
“We stopped trying to turn professors into startup founders,” Jakub explained. “Instead, we tap into alumni with 15 years of corporate experience. People with money, looking for purpose. Let them lead. Let the scientists stay in the lab.”
Haim agreed, but added: “Commercial success isn’t the only measure of impact. Sometimes the right path is licensing, or embedding a solution in an existing company. We tell our scientists: focus on the problem you’re solving. The form will follow.”
When the role of corporations in early-stage research was discussed, the conversation took an even more collaborative turn, with Jakub saying: “We convinced companies like Roche and Orange to co-develop projects from TRL 1.
The day also featured key insights from Latvian-based Pledger Biocatalyst Foundation and the Biophot, two initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between research and real-world application. Andrii Shekhirev from Biocatalyst noted: “Innovations are fragile. They need structure, support, and connection, not just startup hype.”
One speaker explained that even though they have created over 240 spin-offs, the biggest returns often come from partnering with industry or staying within academia and stressed: “The key is finding the right path, not forcing every idea into the same mold.”
The event closed with a strong reminder: “Not all impact needs to be a startup.”
With young researchers stepping into the spotlight and ecosystem builders working to remove barriers, Latvia’s role in deep tech is becoming harder to ignore. The Riga Technical University Open Door Day highlighted that with the right talent, collaboration, and infrastructure; it is possible to shape big futures.
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