Swiss startup mentor Marco Rüedi will hold a workshop at RSU

From 13 to 17 April, a series of workshops for life sciences researchers will take place across Latvia. As part of the programme, Marco Rüedi – a physician, entrepreneur, and experienced business coach from Switzerland – will work with Latvian research teams for the first time. One of the programme days, April 16, dedicated to diagnostic solutions, will be held at the Rīga Stradiņš University Innovation Centre.

 

The workshops are designed as a practical, discussion-based experience for teams that have already initiated research and obtained initial results but lack a clear path toward commercialization. Instead of theoretical lectures, participants will work on their own projects and receive direct, constructive feedback.

Marco Rüedi has more than ten years of experience in the Swiss biotechnology and medical technology sector, advising startups and supporting them in developing solutions through to investment readiness and market entry. His approach is grounded in practical experience, focusing not on ideas alone but on their implementation by identifying key challenges and development opportunities.

During the workshops, participants will:

• assess the current stage of their project,
• define the next steps required to reach clinical or market readiness,
• develop a clear development roadmap,
• gain insight into investor and funding expectations,
• and learn from the experience of other teams.

The workshop series includes three thematic days hosted at different institutions, covering enabling technologies, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, as well as diagnostics. The workshop held at Rīga Stradiņš University on 16 April will focus on biomarkers, in vitro diagnostics, and molecular diagnostic solutions.

This initiative is implemented within the BioPhoT platform, which brings together leading Latvian scientific institutions to promote the transformation of research results into practical, market-ready solutions. The programme is part of a broader workshop cycle offering researchers the opportunity to advance their projects with support from international experts.

At the end of the programme, participants will have developed a concrete action plan for the coming months. A follow-up meeting is scheduled in Riga in August to review progress and continue project development.

The project “Biomedical and Photonics Research Platform for the Development of Innovative Products (BioPhoT)” is implemented under the State Research Programme “Innovation Fund – Long-term Research Programme.” Platform number: IVPP-EM-Inovācija-2024/1-0002.