For ideas and start-ups

Program description 

The Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) is offering a competition called Ideju kauss (Idea Cup), in which participants will acquire the skills necessary to start a business, compete for the financial capital needed to implement their business ideas, and realize their business ideas. The competition takes place in several rounds. 

Who can apply 

Individuals, authors of business ideas 

Type of support 

Consultations, mentoring, training, cash prizes 

Support 

Cash prizes for the implementation of ideas up to EUR 10,000 (de minimis) 

Availability 

Open from 29.08. to 19.09.2025.

Learn more.

Program description 

The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) offers business pre-incubation support, which includes non-financial support measures aimed at innovative and export-oriented Latvian companies that are up to three years old, in order to strengthen their viability, increase their growth potential, and promote the export of goods and services produced in Latvia. 

Who can apply 

Micro, small, and medium-sized businesses preparing for an incubation program 

Type of support - Non-financial support for preparation for incubation  - consultations, training, mentoring in business idea development representative offices throughout Latvia 

Support 

Grants are not available, only non-financial support (de minimis) 

Availability 

Open until 30.06.2027, available at representative offices throughout Latvia  

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Programme description 

The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) offers Latvian start-ups the opportunity to develop research and innovative ideas, products or processes for use in economic activities (commercialisation of research products). 

Who can apply 

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that have received investment from a qualified venture capital investor in a start-up or parent/subsidiary company or are engaged in the development, manufacture or development of an innovative product where the developed product is already available for testing by the first customers. 

Type of support 

Tax relief and grants for highly qualified employees 

Support 

Tax relief for employees applying for support. Support of up to 45% for the hours actually worked by the employee, up to EUR 300,000 (de minimis)  

Availability 

While funding is available, but no later than 30.04.2027 

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Program description 

The Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) offers Latvian businesses the opportunity to collaborate with scientific institutions to develop new products and technologies with the aim of bringing them to market. As a result, the innovations introduced by Latvian entrepreneurs will increase the share of innovative businesses in the economy. 

Who can apply - Micro, small and medium-sized businesses that are developing new products and technologies 

Type of support 

Vouchers: 

• technical and economic feasibility studies;
• industrial research;  
• experimental development;  
• industrial design of the product;  
• consolidation of industrial property rights;  
• certification and testing services for new products or technologies;  
• designer services.   

Attracting highly qualified employees. 

Support 

Support of 45-100% up to EUR 25,000 for the development of one new product (de minimis) 

Availability 

While funding is available, but no later than 30.04.2027  

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Programmas apraksts

Latvijas Investīciju un attīstības aģentūra (LIAA) piedāvā atbalstu Latvijas zinātņietilpīgajiem jaunuzņēmumiemProgram description

The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) offers support to science-intensive start-ups in Latvia to promote the creation of teams and companies, as well as their ability to commercialize research results developed in scientific institutions, while ensuring the continuity of technology transfer.

Who can apply

A science-intensive start-up is a commercial entity that develops a product or technology developed by a scientific institution registered in the Register of Scientific Institutions, and which, on the date of submission of the application, is not older than five years and meets at least one of the following conditions:

the commercial entity has been transferred or granted the rights to use the product or technology developed by the scientific institution;

at the time of the development of the technology, the shareholder of the commercial entity was a scientist at the scientific institution to whom the intellectual property rights to the product or technology have been transferred.  

Who can apply

A science-intensive start-up – a commercial entity that develops a product or technology developed by a scientific institution registered in the Register of Scientific Institutions, and which, on the date of submission of the application, is not older than five years and meets at least one of the following conditions:

• the commercial entity has been transferred or granted the rights to use the product or technology developed by the scientific institution;
• at the time of the development of the technology, the shareholder of the commercial entity was a scientist at the scientific institution to whom the intellectual property rights to the product or technology have been transferred.

Type of support

Costs directly related to the development of a new product or technology:

• employee salaries;
• outsourcing costs;
• costs of purchasing components and materials for prototyping;
• participation in events abroad;
• indirect eligible costs (rental of premises, utility payments, etc.). 

Support

Support 50%,

up to EUR 150,000 per application. 

Availability

Open from September 29 until funding is available, but no later than April 30, 2027. 

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Program description 

The Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) offers Latvian entrepreneurs free high-level business training – a Mini MBA course in innovation management. 

Who can apply 

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises - business managers, innovation implementers who plan, develop or implement innovative products or innovative processes in business in the RIS3 field 

Type of support

High-level business training Mini MBA "Innovation Management" 

Support

Free of charge (100%) (de minimis) 

Availability

Planned for early 2026  

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Program description 

Altum state support for business start-ups is designed to encourage citizens to engage in entrepreneurship – if you need funds to turn your idea into a business or if you have a new company looking for financial support for its development. A start-up loan is also available if you have no previous business experience but have a clear plan.

Who can apply 

Entrepreneurs

Type of support 

Loan

Support 

from EUR 2,000 to EUR 250,000

Eligibility 

Learn more

Program description

Altum offers support to promote private sector investment in research and development. Entrepreneurs can apply for loans for technology development, prototyping, and technology transfer. The loan is intended for research and development projects implemented in one of the RIS3 areas.

Who can apply

Commercial entities

Type of support

Loan

Support

From EUR 300,000 to EUR 1,000,000

Availability 

Learn more

Program description

Altum offers venture capital funds. Investments, whether you only have an idea, your company is new or already a known market player – depending on these factors, the amount of venture capital fund financing attracted and the investor's role in the company will change. Supported companies receive not only financing, but also active involvement of investors in business development, knowledge about the industry being developed, and networking contacts, promoting the company's growth and increase in value.

Who can apply

Commercial entities

Type of support

Investments

Support

The available funding depends on the stage of development of the company.

Availability 

More information on the websites Altum mājaslapu

https://www.buildit.lv

https://www.badideas.fund

https://www.outlastfund.com

https://www.flycap.lv

Baltijas Inovāciju fonds