Green Hexagon pre-incubation programme

Green Hexagon is an international pre-incubation programme implemented by Rīga Stradiņš University in cooperation with the University of Latvia, the University of Tartu (Estonia), Flensburg University of Applied Sciences (Germany), the University of Applied Sciences Wiener Neustadt (Austria), and the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic). 

The programme is designed for students, graduates, researchers, and university staff who wish to develop sustainable business and innovation ideas in an international environment.

Key information

• Topic:Sustainable innovation, entrepreneurship, and environmental solutions  
• Location: Online
• Language:English
• Format:Remote
• Participants:Students, graduates, researchers, and staff from Green Hexagon partner universities
• Funding opportunity: Following the programme, participants may apply for RSU Student Innovation Grants; funding for idea development is available up to EUR 3,506

Programme Overview

Green Hexagon is designed as an international pre-incubation programme in which participants develop their ideas step by step, from defining an initial problem to creating a business model and presenting their solution to investors, experts, and a jury.

Throughout the programme, participants learn customer needs assessment, market validation, business model development, product and service design, prototyping, financial planning, marketing, the use of GenAI in entrepreneurship, and pitching skills. Mentorship, international collaboration, and networking with fellow innovators from across Europe are also key components of the programme.

At the end of the programme, teams present their ideas during an international Demo Day event and compete for funding to further develop their solutions.

Next Step: Apply for Funding with Your Team

Following the completion of the Green Hexagon programme, applications will open for the Innovation Voucher scheme, which supports student teams in testing and developing their ideas.

Student teams may receive funding of up to EUR 3,506 to further develop their innovation or business ideas.

Funding may be used for activities such as:

• Prototype development 
• Purchase of materials 
• Expert and specialist consultations 
• Market research and validation 
• Skills development and training 
• Other expenses directly related to idea development

All required materials and services will be procured through RSU on behalf of the teams.

Apply by Monday 6 July

Student Innovation Application for Participation in the Intensive Programme

Budget Form

Application Evaluation Criteria

Final Report Form

Who Can Apply for Funding?

Applications are open to teams of 2–5 participants with a shared innovation or business idea.

Each team must include:

• At least one student, doctoral candidate, resident physician, or pupil of a vocational or general education institution; 
• At least one participant affiliated with RSU, RSU Latvian Academy of Sport Education (RSU LASE), or RSU Red Cross Medical College (RSU RKMC), such as a student, researcher, employee, or other community representative. 

Application Process

1. Develop an idea and form a team
   Define the innovation or business idea you would like to develop and form a team of 2–5 people.
2. Review the eligibility criteria
   Read the programme requirements on this website and ensure that both your team and idea meet the eligibility criteria.
3. Prepare your application
   Complete the application form and submit the required supporting documents, including participant CVs and proof of student status. Application forms and detailed instructions will be available on this page from 19 June.
4. Submit your application
   Submit your application by the specified deadline and await the evaluation results.

Idea Development and Final Presentations

Following the allocation of funding, teams will spend four months developing their innovation and business ideas within the Student Innovation Grants Programme. Each team will be assigned a supervisor who will provide methodological support and assist in planning the development process. Teams will also have the opportunity to collaborate with industry experts and receive consultations on specific challenges.

Teams that have not participated in the Green Hexagon programme but have received funding through the Student Innovation Grants Programme will be evaluated individually and, if necessary, may be invited to attend additional training sessions during the autumn semester to develop innovation and entrepreneurship-related skills.

In November, teams will present their results at RSU Innovation Day. During three-minute pitch presentations, participants will introduce their idea, development progress, and future potential to a jury while competing for cash prizes.

Contact information

For questions, please contact bspacersu[pnkts]lv.

Project Rīga Stradiņš University Student Innovation Grants, No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/002.