Enter the incubator with an idea, and leave it with a completed project worth a million euros

Latvian company Storm Adventures offers a unique patented product – the Beat the Storm horizontal wind tunnel combining entertainment and education. This device has been created to allow visitors of all ages to experience the power of a storm while also learning about natural phenomena. It is perfect for science and entertainment parks, and the wind speed can be regulated according to the age of the users and their appetite for adventure. In addition, the company is also offering a wind museum franchise where visitors can learn about the role of wind in natural processes and human life. 

The Storm Adventure story began in 2019 with a bold idea and 15 years of experience in the wind tunnel industry. Having addressed potential customers, the first customer was found in 2021. That same year the company joined the business incubator established by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) where it obtained financial support, as well as access to the innovation voucher programme. As a result, the horizontal wind tunnel, which is one of a kind in the world, was developed and installed at the Danfoss Science Park in Denmark. 

“Participation in the incubator was an important boost to our business growth allowing us to transform a concept into an actual product. With the financial support of the incubator we were able to bring in the necessary specialists for the design phase, and also transform our idea into a functional product and our first business deal worth more then one million euros,” Rihards Dziedātājs, Project Director of the company, explains. Today, the company is continuing its development in the LIAA business incubator in Jūrmala; they are tweaking the storm simulator and expanding sale of the wind museum franchise.

The projects the company has already completed, as well as participation in international trade fairs with the support of the state aid programme has helped bring in new customers. The successful operation of two Storm Adventures devices in Denmark has proven the need for such a product, its sustainability, commercial viability and has made a name for itself on the international market. Moreover, the horizontal wind tunnel technology could be applied more broadly, and it has already generated interest from other sectors, such as the automotive, space and aviation industry.

Since 2024, the Business Incubation Aid Program has been implemented by LIAA representative offices in Latvia and any company up to the age of 5 operating in the supported sectors can apply for the programme.

This article has been produced with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund, Small and Medium Enterprises Programme, Incubator Subproject.