18 Student teams to start developing their ideas in B-Space incubation programme
This year, 18 student teams will begin their journey in the incubation programme (INK) of the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) business incubator B-Space. From February to June, the teams will develop their business and innovation ideas, build entrepreneurial skills, collaborate with mentors and industry experts, and create prototypes with the long-term goal of establishing their own companies.
A wide range of ideas and interdisciplinary teams
The ideas submitted by this year’s participants cover a broad thematic spectrum, including digital solutions for health and emotional well-being, applications of artificial intelligence in stress management and prevention, sustainable services, sports and leisure activities, education, as well as platforms addressing the needs of the construction, architecture, tourism, media, and creative industries. The programme also includes ideas focused on improving patient experience and developing digital support tools for healthcare.
The programme brings together students from RSU medical and social sciences study programmes, RSU Latvian Academy of Sport Education, and RSU Red Cross Medical College. At the same time, a significant number of teams are interdisciplinary, combining students from the University of Latvia, BA School of Business and Finance, Riga Technical University, and RISEBA, fostering collaboration across diverse competencies and perspectives in idea development.
Funding for idea testing available to all teams for the first time
This is the first year that the B-Space incubation programme is implemented within the project RSU Innovation grants for students (No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/002). As a result, all teams receive funding of up to EUR 3506 at the start of the programme to test their ideas, develop prototypes, conduct market research, or analyse the needs of potential users. The funding enables students to experiment with different solutions, designs, and approaches, focusing on the quality of the idea rather than cost limitations. The funding is provided through European Union and national budget resources.
The B-Space incubation programme is like a sandbox for aspiring entrepreneurs, where even the boldest ideas can be tested, dozens of product versions can be created, and mistakes are part of the process. There is no single recipe for building the perfect product or earning the first million, which is why it is so important to explore, experiment, and find your own path. The incubation programme offers an environment where this can be done purposefully and with professional support.
Kristaps Zaļais, mentor at the RSU Business Incubator B-Space
From idea to incubation – continuous support for students
From February to May, participants will take part in a structured programme of sessions covering idea pitching, goal setting and KPIs, product and customer validation, business and financial model development, legal aspects and intellectual property protection, as well as the basics of investment attraction. Alongside the sessions, teams will work closely with mentors and supervisors, participate in networking events, panel discussions, and major startup ecosystem events, including TechChill Riga and Deep Tech Atelier. The programme will conclude with a Demo Day, where teams will present their ideas to a jury and compete for an additional EUR 3000 in cash prizes awarded to the three best teams.
Each year, during the autumn semester, the RSU business incubator B-Space runs a pre-incubation programme in which participants learn idea generation methods, form teams, and develop initial business concepts. In the spring semester, the incubation programme offers the opportunity to further develop these ideas, test them in practice, and take the next steps towards sustainable entrepreneurship.
