Are you a scientist or future entrepreneur

with a groundbreaking idea

waiting to be unleashed?

About Venture Catalysts
Venture Catalysts is designed to give you the foundational knowledge and skills of launching a deep tech startup or commercialising your research.

Our 5-week hands-on training program - developed by UniLab in collaboration with RTU Riga Business School and RISEBA, and supported by LIAA - has equipped already 150 participants with both theoretical insights and practical tools to turn your innovations into thriving ventures.

From navigating commercialization and intellectual property to understanding leadership and securing funding, this course gives you the foundation you need to build and scale a knowledge-intensive business.
What makes Venture Catalysts unique?

At Venture Catalysts, we focus on building a solid foundation - just as a building a house needs strong groundwork to last, so does your business. So far 150 participants have learnt how to create the critical building blocks for long-term success, such as effective team dynamics, intellectual property strategy, and innovation management, all while adapting to uncertainty and change.

Next Registration: April 2026
Program Details:
  • Duration: 5 weeks
  • Dates for Cohort 5: May - June, 2026 (Registration open on April 2026)
  • Schedule: Join our online sessions every Tuesday and Thursday from 17:00 to 19:00
  • Format: Experience the best of both worlds with interactive online classes and opportunities for traditional offline learning and networking
  • Starting from Week 2 participants can apply for individual mentoring sessions
Lesson 1
Program Opening and Introduction
Innovation and Commercialization as Main Catalysts in Venture Creation
Online
Lesson 2
Startup Team
Voldemārs Brēdiķis
Online
Lesson 3
Assessing Technological Advantages of Your Invention
Ella Kalniņa
Online
(For researchers)
Lesson 4 & 5
Startup Roadmap Creation & Securing Funding for Your Venture
Voldemārs Brēdiķis
Double session on site @ RTU
Lesson 6
Principles of Innovation Management
Aldis Greitāns
Online
Lesson 7
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Irina Sennikova
Online
(For entrepreneurs)
Lesson 8
Startup and Organisation Building
Greg Mathers
Online
Lesson 9
IP Strategy and Transfer Mechanisms
Solvita Kostjukova
Online
Consultations
Individual consultations on request
Ella Kalniņa & Voldemārs Brēdiķis
Online
Lesson 10
How to Start Commercialization & Program Closing
Ella Kalniņa
On site @ Riga Business School
  • For Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
    Learn how to lead and build a dynamic team, assess the technological advantages of your product, secure funding, and create a roadmap for your venture's growth.

    This course will give you the tools and confidence to transform your idea into a viable business!

  • bringing together

    start-up dreamers

    from various fields

  • For Researchers:
    If you want to commercialize your research, Venture Catalysts will show you how to identify projects with commercial potential, apply innovation management principles, and effectively communicate the value of your invention.

    By the end of this program, you’ll have a clear strategy for taking your research to the market!
Testimonials
Join Venture Catalysts
and turn your innovative ideas into impactful businesses!
Next Registration: April 2026
Partners
The "Venture Catalysts" training program is implemented under the ERDF project
"Support for SMEs for the development of innovative business" (ID No. 1.2.3.1/1/23/I/001).