Students Develop 37 Solutions to Real-World Business Challenges
On October 20, the “Vidzeme Innovation Program for Students – VIPs” held its Demo Day and Final Forum at the Valmiera Concert Hall. Participants of the third stage of VIPs presented innovative solutions to challenges posed by companies, as well as one business innovation each. In an informal setting, students, entrepreneurs, and representatives from the education sector shared experiences and discussed potential collaboration opportunities.
The third cycle of the support program concluded during Demo Day. Since mid-May this year, 12 teams and 45 participants have worked on one business innovation and 11 challenges provided by companies. In the Business and Innovation Labs, the evaluation committee recognized the most successful solutions, awarding:
- Buzzārs and MMK for developing a modern concept for the Valmiera Market Quarter.
- InteriorEssence for an interior solution addressing soundproofing in SIA MiraMotionLatvija production facilities.
- BioSolutions for creating a strategy for implementing separate collection of organic waste in SIA ZAAO’s operational region.
- KDMedia for conducting a Baltic market analysis for SIA VRV Trading’s new metal-processing product.
- VIJA Creative for producing a promotional video about SIA VALPRO.
Visitors had the opportunity to view 37 innovative prototypes developed across three cycles, including a mini cogeneration station, hydroponics system, Valmiera Market Quarter model, idea catalog for development, automated cellar, and freeze-dried vegetable and fruit powders for children, among others. At the DARE Valmiera Co-Working Workshop, attendees learned about available services, observed a 3D printer in action, and discovered which equipment can be used independently after prior registration, while also exploring the program’s results. The Final Forum marked the completion of all three cycles, celebrating the achievements reached through collaboration. Entrepreneurs and VIPs participants shared their experiences and highlighted best practices from the program.
The impact of VIPs goes beyond numbers, reflecting the commitment and engagement of participants. Agnese Dāvidsone, Rector of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA), noted: “At the start of the project, there were many unknowns, but at the conclusion, seeing the impressive results fills my heart with joy at what we can achieve together!” During VIPs, ViA developed a new strategy that identifies innovation promotion as a key development priority, emphasizing the importance of sustaining and further developing the project’s outcomes.
Andris Klepers, Council Member of Valmiera Municipality, emphasized the strategic value of VIPs: “The program allows young people to test their ideas and ‘step into the shoes of an entrepreneur.’ It’s important that students, vocational school trainees, and high school pupils know that their ideas are always welcome in Valmiera!” He also highlighted that collaboration helps partners work more efficiently by understanding shared goals.
The conclusion of VIPs marks a new beginning, a challenge to continue growing and learning from achieved results. VIPs has been a story about collaboration, creativity, and achieving shared goals. Participants’ advice is simple: dare to try, continue taking action despite obstacles, and steadily move forward. Build an ecosystem where young people can gain rich and diverse experiences that will benefit them for a lifetime.
Project Partners: Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Valmiera Development Agency, Ventspils University.
ERDF Co-Financed Project: “Vidzeme Innovation Program for Students – VIPs”, Project No. 1.1.1.3/21/A/009
