Students and staff

Pre-incubation Programme

Pre-incubation Programme

Applications are closed!

Pre-incubation Programme is a four-month program that provides support and resources for the development and implementation of student innovation ideas, as well as initial idea validation. Within the program, participants attend sessions on idea validation, development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), market research, business models, marketing, and presentation skills.

Teams regularly meet with entrepreneurs and industry experts to receive mentoring and consultations. Participants also have access to the UL Open Lab facilities, including equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters, to develop prototypes. At the end of the program, a DEMO Day is held, where teams present their achievements. The program is offered as an elective course (“Part C”), for which students can receive 3 ECTS credits.

Program Objectives:

  • To foster students’ entrepreneurial and innovation skills by supporting idea development and initial validation

  • To help students understand market needs, develop MVPs, acquire fundamental business skills, and prepare for the next stage - incubation

  • To promote interdisciplinary collaboration between universities, students, industry, and businesses

Participant Benefits:

  • Funding – financial support of up to EUR 3,506 for expert services, materials, services, and mobility expenses

  • Scholarships – an opportunity receive a monthly scholarship of EUR 280 to support studies and project development

  • Cash prizes – a total prize fund of EUR 5,000 awarded to top teams at DEMO Day

  • Further development – top teams are offered the opportunity to continue in the incubation program

  • Infrastructure and support – access to LU OpenLab equipment for prototyping, as well as professional mentoring and consultations from industry experts

Participants in the program may include a university student, a pupil of a vocational or general education institution, or a team of students or pupils, provided that at least one member is enrolled in a higher education institution (in Latvia or abroad) in a bachelor’s, professional studies, master’s, doctoral, or residency program.

The programme is organized by the University of Latvia Innovation and Acceleration Center within the ERDF co-funded project No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/005 “Innovation Grants for Students of the University of Latvia.”