CONFERENCEEntrepreneurship and Innovation Promotion Activity
This activity is integrated into the study process, for example as a minimum viable product (MVP) development or prototyping week. Its aim is to promote the development of students’ entrepreneurial skills and innovation mindset by incorporating practical tasks into study courses related to entrepreneurship, innovation management, design thinking, and prototyping. As part of the activity, students learn about the MVP concept and, through practical workshops, develop and test prototypes of their business ideas with real target audiences.
The activity is implemented in close collaboration with specific course lecturers and academic programmes, integrating it as part of the course structure. It takes place as an intensive, week-long activity that replaces or complements practical classes within the course. Involved experts deliver lectures on the MVP concept and support students in developing and testing their ideas while collecting feedback. At the end of the week, teams prepare a brief summary of their solution.
The aim of the activity is to develop students’ entrepreneurial skills, innovation mindset, and practical competences. It enables students to rapidly test their business ideas in practice, gaining feedback and a foundation for further development. This activity strengthens the link between theoretical knowledge, the real market, and business practice.
It also reinforces the connection between the academic and practical environment, giving students the opportunity to test the viability of their ideas in market conditions and supporting their further development within pre-incubation or incubation programmes. The activity promotes interdisciplinary collaboration and the creation of new products and solutions, while ensuring continuity and the development of practical outcomes within the LU innovation ecosystem.
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.”
