On 12 May 2026, the Baltic‑level deep‑tech commercialization forum “Innovation Impact Forum 2026” took place, jointly organized by Daugavpils University, the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University. The event brought together representatives of the innovation ecosystem from across the Baltic region, European investors, technology transfer professionals, policymakers and startup founders, creating a dynamic environment for knowledge exchange and collaboration. Speakers included Edgars Šadris, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Economics, Prof. Gundars Bērziņš, Rector of the University of Latvia, and Ēriks Rēķis, Deputy Director of the Latvian Patent Office, who highlighted the importance of intellectual property and international cooperation in strengthening Europe’s competitiveness.

The first part of the forum focused on intellectual property policy and practice. Ali Jazairy (WIPO, Switzerland) provided an overview of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and its application in business and technology transfer, with particular emphasis on opportunities for Baltic startups. Andrea Basso discussed the role of IP in attracting venture capital, while Cyrus Gunalan Veloo addressed intellectual property strategies and financial instruments that help transform ideas into investment‑ready solutions.

The second session centred on technology transfer processes and innovation financing architecture. Michael Norton shared insights into marketing approaches that support the growth of startups and corporations. A panel discussion on IP strategies in cross‑sectoral innovation brought together experts from WIPO, Kaunas University of Technology, the University of Latvia and international companies, exploring IP protection challenges and collaboration models between academia and industry.

In the third part, participants examined international innovation ecosystems. Raj Mendhir analysed startup development and capital flows between the United Kingdom and Malaysia. The panel discussion featured representatives from the United States, the United Kingdom, Estonia and Latvia, addressing the significance of IP strategies for business growth in different markets and opportunities for attracting international investment.

The forum concluded with the “BioPhoT” pitch sessions, where more than 20 teams presented solutions in two thematic categories:

• Biomedicine, Medical Technologies & Pharmaceuticals

• Photonics, Smart Materials & Advanced Engineering Systems

Awards were presented to the best pitches, including a special recognition prize in the photonics and advanced materials category. Special thanks were extended to the Latvian Composite Materials Association and its chairman Gunārs Kosoj for their contribution to the event and for awarding a EUR 1000 recognition prize, emphasizing the importance of composite materials in the development of future technologies.

The day concluded with a networking event, fostering new partnerships among investors, industry representatives and the research community.

“Innovation Impact Forum 2026” demonstrated that Latvia and the Baltic region are emerging as a significant centre for deep‑tech and innovation, where academia, industry and investors jointly build a strong international collaboration network.

Additional information:
Head of the Research and Business Centre ‘REBUS’
Sanita Kecko
e-mail: sanita.kecko@du.lv