“Energy Boost” Programme

“Energy Boost” is a three-month pre-incubation programme aimed at the development of innovation in the energy sector. It is implemented in close cooperation with Latvenergo and Sadales tīkls, providing students with the opportunity to work with real industry challenges and develop practically applicable solutions for sustainable and future energy.

The aim of the programme is to create an environment in which student teams can develop, validate, and prototype their ideas, while strengthening professional skills and building close cooperation between universities and industry. Particular emphasis is placed on the development of science-based ideas and their advancement towards practical application and potential commercialisation.

Nowadays, the energy sector is undergoing significant changes driven by the transition to renewable resources, sustainable development, and climate neutrality. There is a growing need for new solutions that combine technology, data analysis, and an innovative approach to resource management. Within the programme, student teams are invited to address current challenges related to the development of renewable energy resources, energy efficiency, sustainable infrastructure, circular economy, and public engagement in green transition processes. It is an opportunity to create solutions that promote a sustainable future and responsible use of resources both in Latvia and on a broader scale.

During the programme, participants acquire the principles of idea validation and minimum viable product development, carry out in-depth market research, and analyse product–market fit. At the end of the programme, a DEMO Day takes place, where teams present their solutions and receive professional feedback. The best teams are offered the opportunity to continue development in the Incubation Programme and test their solutions in real conditions in cooperation with an industry partner.

The programme will take place from 23 April to 15 July in person – at the Academic Center of the University of Latvia or at the industry partners Latvenergo and Sadales tīkls. After the selection of innovation applications, students are provided with sessions and consultations with experts and industry professionals. Each team is assigned a supervisor whose task is to ensure the implementation of methodological work phases and to supervise the development of innovation and prototype creation.

What are the benefits of participating in the programme?

• Expert support and mentoring from specialists of Latvenergo and Sadales tīkls

• Monthly scholarship in the amount of EUR 280

• Academic supervisor from the University of Latvia

• Educational sessions and individual consultations for idea development

• Funding up to EUR 3,506 for idea development and prototyping

• Opportunity to apply for a cash prize fund of EUR 5,000

• Access to LU OpenLab prototyping workshop and technical infrastructure

• Excursions and the opportunity to get to know the energy sector from the inside

• Opportunity to continue idea development in the Incubation Programme

• Opportunity to potentially cooperate with Latvenergo and Sadales tīkls by developing and testing your solution in real industry conditions

Who can apply?

A student team of 2–5 participants can apply to the programme, where at least one participant is a student enrolled in a higher education institution (in Latvia or abroad) in a bachelor’s, professional studies, master’s, doctoral, or residency programme. The team is recommended to combine different competencies necessary for the full development of the idea. Participants are encouraged to cover both technical development (for example, programming, engineering, or data analytics), as well as product or business thinking, and project management skills, ensuring a balanced and effective approach to solution development. Participants who do not have a ready team or need additional competencies have the opportunity to participate in a “Matchmaking” event, within which it is possible to find team members; this networking event will take place on 9 April from 18:00 to 20:00 at the University of Latvia House of Science, Room 301.

How to apply?

Applications for the programme “Energy Boost” are open until 19 April 2026, 23:59, by filling in the application form. Throughout the entire application submission period, remote individual 1:1 consultations will be available to improve the quality of applications; it is possible to apply for them by writing to the email inovaciju.granti@lu.lv.

The programme is organised by the University of Latvia Innovation and Acceleration Center in cooperation with Latvenergo and Sadales tīkls within the ERDF co-funded project No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/005 “Innovation Grants for Students of the University of Latvia.”