The Riga Startup Accelerators and Incubators Support Program is a municipal initiative designed to strengthen the city's entrepreneurial infrastructure. By offering co-financing, the program supports organizations that focus on the acceleration and incubation of startups. The primary goal is to foster a productive environment for emerging businesses, ensuring that support organizations have the necessary resources to provide high-quality guidance and development tracks within the city of Riga.
Strategic Objectives
- Encouraging the expansion and operational capacity of startup accelerators and incubators based in Riga.
- Providing municipal co-financing to offset the costs associated with running specialized support programs.
- Promoting the continuous development of the local startup ecosystem through professional incubation services.
- Enhancing Riga’s reputation as a regional hub for business acceleration and technological innovation.
Eligibility Criteria
- Participation is open to organizations whose primary daily activities involve the management and execution of startup acceleration and incubation programs.
- Eligible entities must demonstrate a commitment to supporting the growth of the startup community within the Riga municipality.
- Applications are evaluated based on specific administrative requirements and qualitative criteria outlined in the official competition regulations.
Key Dates and Application Timeline
- Final Submission Deadline: Applications must be submitted no later than March 13, 2026, at 23:59:59.
- Informational Briefing: An online seminar for prospective applicants is scheduled for February 25, 2026, at 11:00 AM via Microsoft Teams.
- Seminar Registration: Interested parties must register in advance through the provided Microsoft Forms link to receive access credentials.
- Login Distribution: Detailed access information for the online seminar will be sent to the registered email addresses shortly before the event begins.
Regulatory Framework and Required Documentation
- Competition Guidelines: The program is governed by a comprehensive set of regulations and annexes that detail the submission and evaluation process.
- Application Requirements: All submissions must include the official Application Form (Attachment No. 1).
- Evaluation Process: The assessment includes rigorous administrative (Attachment No. 2) and qualitative (Attachment No. 3) evaluation criteria.
- Legal Basis: The program is managed in accordance with Riga City Council binding regulations No. RD-24-282-sn, dated June 12, 2024.
- Post-Program Reporting: Beneficiaries of the co-financing must complete and submit a final report using the template provided in Attachment No. 5.
Administrative Contacts
- Program Management: The initiative is overseen by the Riga Investment and Tourism Agency, located at Ratslaukums 1, Riga, LV-1050.
- Primary Point of Contact: For specific inquiries regarding the regulations or application process, applicants may contact Mārtiņš Pakalniņš at +371 27897357 or via email at martins.pakalnins@riga.lv.
Through this targeted support program, the city of Riga aims to bolster the organizations that serve as the foundation for new business growth. By investing in the accelerators and incubators that mentor the next generation of founders, the municipality continues to cultivate a resilient and competitive economic landscape for innovation.