UniLab

Transforming Ideas into Impact!

We are Latvia's leading universities start-up accelerator to help turn technology-based ideas into business success.

Latest News & Events

Why UniLab?

At UniLab, we're dedicated to nurturing technology-based business ideas, guiding teams through concept development and validation, offering tailored support and resources, and ultimately empowering them to transform their ideas into successful ventures. And, Yes, UniLab is an equity-free start-up incubator.

Know-How

UniLab empowers teams with the expertise necessary to commercialize technology-based business ideas through internationally recognized programs.

Advisors

Teams benefit from personalized guidance provided by both experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts specializing in technology-intensive ideas.

Funding

Teams receive funding for market validation and product development, setting the stage for successful future fundraising rounds.

Community

UniLab grants access to a network of universities, industry, and international partners, providing vital connections and support that enhance each project's success.

UniLab Founders

UniLab is founded by four of Latvia's leading universities, each bringing their unique strengths and expertise.

RTU is a modern internationally recognized university and is the only polytechnic university in Latvia. RTU provides high quality education, conducts advanced research and ensures innovation and technology transfer, practically implementing scientific discoveries.

The University of Latvia is a modern academic and professional hub, offering diverse higher education and research opportunities in natural sciences, humanities, social sciences, technical sciences, and medicine to students from Latvia and abroad.

Rīga Stradiņš University is an open and international university for education, research, and innovation where today's knowledge meets tomorrow's challenges.

The Latvian University of Life Sciences and Technologies is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in bioeconomy innovations and sustainable resource use in the Baltic Sea region.

Programs

At UniLab, we offer specialized programs designed to empower and elevate emerging startups and defense technology ventures. Our programs are tailored to provide comprehensive support, connecting participants with industry leaders, expert mentors, and significant growth opportunities.

Venture Catalysts

Are you a visionary scientist or entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea waiting to be unleashed? Whether you're looking to launch a startup or commercialize your research, Venture Catalysts is designed to guide you every step of the way. Our 5-week hands-on training program—developed by UniLab in collaboration with RTU Riga Business School and RISEBA, and supported by LIAA—equips you with both theoretical insights and practical tools to turn your innovations into thriving ventures. From navigating commercialization and intellectual property to mastering leadership and securing funding, this course gives you the foundation you need to build and scale a knowledge-intensive business.

Learn More and Register Today!
UniLab Entrepreneurial Gene

As part of Riga's startup ecosystem support program, UniLab is launching The Entrepreneurial Gene initiative to promote entrepreneurship among students and academic faculty through a series of moderated guest lectures and workshops. Focused on inspiring scientists and researchers to commercialize their work, the initiative aims to reshape the perception of entrepreneurship in academia by showcasing real-world success stories from deep-tech founders. The events align with university priority areas, including Agrifood, Climate & Raw Materials, Mobility, Digital, and Defence & Space, fostering innovation in key sectors.
UniLab Elevate

The UniLab Elevate incubation program is a launchpad for diverse innovators and technologies. Partnered with Accelerace, the Nordics' leading pre-seed accelerator and investor, UniLab Elevate offers participants a unique opportunity to access essential tools, mentorship, and know-how. Since 2008, Accelerace has been instrumental in developing over 1,000 entrepreneurs who today lead some of Europe's most promising startups and scaleups. This powerful partnership ensures that participants are well-equipped to transform their ideas into thriving ventures.

Learn more
UniLab Defence

UniLab Defence is a strategic priority area within UniLab, supported by the Latvian Ministry of Defence and the four Latvian science universities with the purpose of fostering the development of the defence technology ecosystem in Latvia and across NATO.

This includes multiple initiatives such as DIANA accelerator and a national pre-accelerator as well as various defence technology ecosystem collaboration projects.

Learn More

Advisors

Experienced entrepreneurs in residence, along with representatives from the fields of business, science, and innovation, help UniLab start-ups move towards their goals more intelligently and achieve better results. These advisors provide invaluable insights, mentorship, and support, ensuring that each team can effectively navigate the challenges of developing and scaling their technology-based solutions.

Voldemārs Brēdiķis

LinkedIn
Ella Kalniņa

LinkedIn
Jānis Rancāns

LinkedIn
Uldis Dzērve

LinkedIn
Kaspars Rožkalns

LinkedIn
Pēteris Krastiņš

LinkedIn
Andris Vilcmeiers

LinkedIn
Mārtiņš Bratuškins

LinkedIn
Ģirts Līcis

LinkedIn
Vadim Vakaryuk

LinkedIn
Mārtiņš Bičevskis

LinkedIn
Mārtiņš Mežulis

LinkedIn
Kaspars Pollaks

LinkedIn
Jānis Kondrats

LinkedIn
Konstantīns Popiks

LinkedIn
Kristaps Banga

LinkedIn
Klāvs Ašmanis

LinkedIn
Juris Ķiploks

LinkedIn
Alan Amron

LinkedIn
Dr. Frank Danesy

LinkedIn
Silvija Pole

LinkedIn
Ansis Spridzāns

LinkedIn
Kaija Kurme-Jansone

LinkedIn
Reinis Budriķis

LinkedIn
Alise Dīrika

LinkedIn
Modris Ciems

LinkedIn

UniLab Start-ups

UniLab Start-up teams, composed of students, researchers, and entrepreneurs, have developed ground-breaking technology-based solutions, ranging from smart healthcare devices and sustainable energy solutions to advanced robotics and bioinformatics.

Bdetect

Medical device company specialised in the research and development of skin cancer diagnosis products.
Humico

Humico is a humus solution obtained from Latvian peat. It improves soil quality, enhances yield and ensures stable plant growth.
P-Agro Minerals

Solution that recovers Phosphorus from wastewater in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants, enabling the use of P-Agro directly as a fertilizer in agriculture.
SUBmerge Baltic

SUBMerge Baltic goal is to advance understanding of the marine environment and inspire others to appreciate the potential and complexity of the underwater world.

All Start-ups

Testimonials

Joining UniLab laid the first steps on our startup journey. Thanks to exceptional mentorship, we began converting from students and young researchers to entrepreneurs. UniLab is still helping us with its great alumni and mentor network, providing us with exposure and opportunities. UniLab has been a great foundation for SUBmerge Baltic helping us to dive in underwater exploration and protecting waters, and we definitely recommend this program to other researchers, scientists, and startup founders.

Kārlis Bērziņš

Co-founder and CEO, SUBmerge Baltic

Unilab was one of the first mentoring programs P-Agro Minerals participated in during 2023. Through the program, we received tailored and personalized mentoring support from leading mentors. This valuable guidance helped us draft our first iteration of an intellectual property (IP) strategy and refine our pitch story for our debut at the Deep Tech Atelier 2023 startup competition.

Unilab's support placed P-Agro Minerals in the spotlight among emerging Latvian deep tech companies. This exposure opened doors not only to the Baltic ecosystem but also to valuable partner networks in the Netherlands.

Annija Emersone

Co-founder and CEO, P-Agro Minerals

Thanks to the Unilab program's mentor expertise and financial support, we were able to further develop our skin cancer detection device, test it in a real environment, create a product certification plan, and upgrade our marketing materials. This program has brought us closer to our mission of making skin cancer detection more accessible and accurate, potentially saving millions of lives. We highly recommend this program to all startups seeking the expertise and financial support needed to take the next step.

Ronalds Skulme

Bdetect, CEO

UniLab provided us with international mentors who shared their insights and experiences. I appreciated how we analyzed situations and modeled possible scenarios. It was important for me to hear opinions about my idea and understand what else I could do to make the product better, more innovative, and indispensable. Criticism is very important. To improve the product, we received financial support, which also ensured the product's realization in real life. Unexpected events that delay our tasks can occur every day, but here I learned to stick to the plan. Thanks to the experience gained at UniLab, SIA HUMICO continues its journey at the LIAA Valmiera business incubator. At UniLab, you can only gain! Be creative and fearless!

Kristīne Irtiševa

HUMICO, Founder

My experience at UniLab provided opportunities to expand knowledge in business model development, value proposition creation, and obtaining quality customer interviews. The lectures were interesting and valuable, led by experienced individuals from the real business environment, which enhanced the quality of the lectures. High-level mentoring was provided to each team, which facilitated the development of ideas to a new level. Within the UniLab program, valuable contacts were obtained that will also be useful in further developing ideas.

Vaira Obuka

Augam!, Founder

Partners

UniLab - Your Gateway to Innovative Business Ventures!

At UniLab, our mission is to foster the development of technology-based business ideas and establish high-value companies. We are dedicated to supporting academia-based founders, including students, researchers, and entrepreneurs, in validating business concepts that leverage cutting-edge technology and preparing them for the next phase of development – attracting private or public investment.

Our approach is tailored and personal. We work closely with each team, providing customized support that ranges from initial concept development to the crucial stages of validation. To enhance the potential of these ideas, UniLab offers targeted training sessions, mentoring from experienced entrepreneurs, and financial support designed to bring these innovative technologies to life.

UniLab Team

Andris Baumanis

CEO, UniLab
Liene Briede

Vice Rector for Innovations, Riga Technical University, UniLab board member
Prof. Tālis Juhna

Rector of Riga Technical University, UniLab Council member
Enno Ence

Vice Rector, Development & Innovation at the University of Latvia
Dins Šmits

Vice-rector for Academic Affairs of Riga Stradins University, UniLab Council member
Irina Arhipova

Rector of Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies
Renāte Kalniņa

UniLab Community Manager
Kārlis Skuja

UniLab Program lead and Mentor
Voldemārs Brēdiķis

UniLab Advisor, Strategic development
Ella Kalniņa

UniLab Advisor, Deep-Tech
Pēteris Marculāns

UniLab Advisor, Investments
Alīna Dolmate

Tech and start-up scout, RTU
Līga Žūka

Tech and start-up scout, RSU
Liene Bērziņa

Tech and start-up scout, LU
Sandra Muižniece-Brasava

Tech and start-up scout, LBTU
Solvita Kostjukova

STEM & Deep Tech Ecosystem Builder for Women
Katrīna Cīrule

Comms & Marketing
Zane Derdonska

UniLab Elevate Program Manager

Contact Us

E-mail: info@unilab.lv

Ķīpsalas iela 6A, Rīga, Latvia

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