L-Blend pleased with the understanding attitudes in receiving state support
Latvian biotechnology start-up L-Blend has created an innovative technology that allows alcohol-free wine to retain the health-promoting substances, multi-layered flavour bouquet, and aftertaste found in traditional wine. The beneficial effects of this non-alcoholic beverage on the body have been scientifically proven. In the coming months, the company plans to launch its first products in Latvia and is actively working on export opportunities for its technology, developing cooperation with winemakers in France, elsewhere in Europe, and the United States.
Cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) was essential for the company’s development and readiness to enter the market. The first steps were taken in the Commercialization Reactor, which brought CEO Anna Gabuniya together with the author of the technology, a Slovenian scientist. “The program was a great help not only in establishing initial contact, but also in the further process. We had regular consultations – at the beginning, even every month. This really helped us to keep going and move forward,” the CEO of the company says.
This was followed by a grant for technology development, which was used to create the product and prove its biological impact. Support from the innovation voucher program allowed the company to introduce quality control mechanisms, while joining the LIAA business incubator in Talsi provided a new breakthrough in development. In cooperation with LIAA, the company has participated in several international exhibitions, including Expand North Star and Hello Tomorrow, where it has gained valuable contacts and validated its idea in an international environment. At the same time, the company’s CEO does not hide the fact that participation in specialised industry exhibitions would be more useful for the company’s development.
“Of course, in the early stages of development, it is very important to be noticed, and exhibitions aimed at start-ups with innovative technologies are also very useful. At the same time, I would like to express my quiet wish that support for start-ups and small food industry companies would also be provided for participation in professional industry exhibitions in Europe, of which there are not many,” Anna Gabuniya says. “Unfortunately, at these events we are often outcompeted by large companies with high turnover and already active exports. It is very difficult for small companies to build up their turnover and export ‘muscle’ in the local market alone, and this creates a vicious circle,” she says.
That is why, at the beginning of December, the company went to the Food Ingredients Europe exhibition with high hopes, as food industry companies from all over Europe gathered there. The organisers offered the company the opportunity to participate for the first time in a small stand at a very friendly price, but the CEO emphasises that the standard participation costs are considerable, and without significant support or a breakthrough, such an event will be practically impossible for a small company next year. The company is proud to have returned from the exhibition with excellent results: 392 new contacts, 92 meetings with product testing, and 47 potential customers.
Overall, the company has nothing but praise for its cooperation with LIAA, particularly highlighting the human touch. “Of course, when receiving state support, documentation is a must, that’s clear. However, even the most inexperienced entrepreneurs can always count on the LIAA team – they will answer any questions, help, and even call three times to make sure that everything is clear. I admit that I have often sent drafts of documents or forms to the LIAA to make sure they are correct, and I always receive a response almost immediately. No one is left alone – this is help you can rely on,” she says.
Information material prepared with the support of the European Regional Development Fund
