MAGNETIC LATVIA MAGAZINE 1 / 2019 On the cover: Arthur Analts (Variant Studio), Matter to Matter (2018) Photo by Arthur Analts Matter to Matter, the installation that won last year’s award for best design at the London Design Biennale, represents Latvia’s and Latvians’ relationship to their natural environment. It was inspired by Arthur Analts’ native city of Riga. Due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea, Riga has its own unique climate, with constant humidity that often leads to condensation. Matter to Matter invites visitors to leave their own messages on its surface. After a couple of minutes, the temporary marks naturally disappear. The installation serves as a way to consider the power of nature and highlights the role of designers and architects as the creators of a responsible, sustainable future in which nature and its inhabitants coexist. CONTENTS 2 Why Magnetic Latvia? / Andris Ozols, Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) 4 Physicists define magnetism as the capacity to attract. For everyone else, magnetism manifests as the desire to have a link with Latvia / What is Magnetic Latvia? 6 Connect with the world and with Latvia / Calendar of events organised by LIAA 8 How can LIAA help? 10 Some important facts and figures 12 The Magnetic Latvia Business Information Centre at Riga International Airport. Open to everyone! 14 Locally embedded and globally connected, these industries transform the local economy, creating new, value-added products and services / Hot Latvian industries to invest in 20 55% of existing investors plan to expand their operations in Latvia / Investment experience in Latvia 24 The six coolest Latvian companies you need to know about 36 Research organisations in Latvia are open for cross-border cooperation in a variety of fields / Business and science synergy in Latvia 42 Travelling along the west coast of Latvia 50 The stunning rebirth of Latvian manor houses – Published by Frank’s House, Ltd Stabu iela 17, Riga A cultural flood in Riga and beyond – Finding frankshouse.lv Latvia’s best-kept secret / Three essays on unique experiences in Latvia Editor in chief: Ilze Pole Managing editor: Zane Nikodemusa 56 Your city guides – explore Riga, Kuldīga, Cēsis, and Copy editor: Amanda Zaeska Ludza this summer! Design: Marika Kossatz Layout: Inta Kraukle 64 What do Instagram stars think about Latvia? OVERVIEW ANDRIS OZOLS, Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia 2 Why Magnetic Latvia? We at the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) have a vision of Latvia. Of the Latvia we would like to live in, invite our friends and business partners to, and show to the world. And it is a magnetic vision. We believe that magnetism is a quality that is worth striving for, both in business and in how we make people feel here. Our business incubators work as guides for those who are trying to figure out how to make their ideas grow into something real. The start-up support programmes often form the missing element that helps start-ups find their way to becoming successful businesses. We still believe that it is important for scientists to keep inventing things even though it seems that the world needs nothing new. Because there is no limit to perfection. And those efforts have to be supported. To those who think that the local market is too small for what they have to offer, there are a number of opportunities to go further. Some of these can be found in this magazine. As an organisation that sees attracting foreign investment as one of its top priorities, we are happy to help find the best options for that. And then there’s the magnetism that you can see with your eyes and feel with your heart. I encourage you to look up the beautiful places in Latvia that you will find in the pages of this magazine and go and see them for yourself. 3 OVERVIEW MAGNETISM Velnezers Lake in Latvia’s eastern region of Latgale Photo by Valdis Skudre / Courtesy of LIAA Photo by Valdis 4 You might wonder about it, but it Latvia may be small. But that makes does work. everything closer. Latvia attracts, and strongly. We don’t have a huge population, but there Physicists define magnetism as the is no shortage of talent. capacity to attract. For everyone Not so many orators, but many movers else, magnetism manifests as and shakers. the desire to have a link with No great mountains, but great minds. Latvia, whether that be through Latvia is known for world-renowned business, culture, recreation, musicians and equally for renowned entertainment, or personal quantum physicists. relationships. What’s more, Latvia Latvians may be hesitant huggers, but they is also able to connect seemingly never shy away from hard work. polar opposites. We have both the oldest oak trees and the latest technology. We have lots of storks – and a surprising number of robots. Some think Latvians are predictable. We call it well-disciplined. Responsible, reliable, qualified partners, fluent in several languages. We keep our promises. We abide by decisions and act on them. That, too, is Latvia’s attraction. Or, as they say elsewhere – magnetism. 5 Publicity photos and LOCAL EVENTS by iStock CALENDAR LIAA PROVIDES AN EXTENSIVE LIST OF LOCAL EVENTS, INCLUDING HIGH-LEVEL CONFERENCES, FORUMS, AND DISCUSSIONS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN LATVIA THIS YEAR. INOVUSS FESTIVAL August 30 – September 1 Lucavsala, Riga With a three-day open-air programme and seven stages, the iNOVUSS festival will bring together the brightest minds in technology and innovation from all over the world. Participants will be inspired by speakers covering topics such as artificial intelligence, future trends, the circular economy, and mental performance; they will also make valuable local and international contacts by meeting entrepreneurs, investors, scientists, travellers, and state officials. inovuss.lv EXPORT AND INNOVATION CONVERSATION FESTIVAL AWARDS 2019 LAMPA 2019 December 5, Riga June 28–29 Every year LIAA and the Ministry Cēsis of Economics organise the With this year’s topic being annual Export and Innovation ‘courage’, the Conversation Awards, celebrating the leading Festival LAMPA will present exporters and most innovative compelling conversations and companies in Latvia. The goal exciting events for the fifth year of the awards is to promote the in a row. During the festival, the competitiveness of companies LIAA stage will cover the topic in local and foreign markets. ‘the intelligence of courage’. eib.liaa.gov.lv festivalslampa.lv LATVIAN TOURISM FORUM RIGA FILM FORUM November 14, Riga September 26–27, Riga Each year this forum gathers more This international forum brings than 300 leading representatives together cinema experts to of the tourism industry, and each discuss the positioning of this year, it focuses on a specific region, how the products of topic, change, or opportunity for small countries can enter big the country that could benefit markets, trends in content on a wide range of people and streaming platforms, and how institutions: owners of hotels and to sell content while still in the other accommodations, regional development stage. News, governments, tourist information current trends, and statistics centres, tour operators, merchants, reflecting the situation of the film educational institutions, and others. industry in Latvia and abroad will liaa.gov.lv also be discussed. 6 EVENTS ABROAD CONNECT WITH THE WORLD AT SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT BUSINESS VISITS ABROAD ORGANISED BY LIAA. make decisions. Representatives of Latvian businesses will be happy to meet you and demonstrate their products and services as well as establish far-reaching contacts and begin new partnerships. buchmesse.de LATVIAN STAND AT CPHI WORLDWIDE 2019 November 5–7 Frankfurt, Germany Set to become the top pharmaceutical networking event iStock of the year, CPhI Worldwide 2019 will attract the sector’s leading experts, buyers, and Photo by suppliers. Over the course of three days, Messe Frankfurt will LATVIAN STAND AT NY come together to show you the host more than 2500 companies NOW 2019 future of every business and exhibiting innovative products August 11–14 every industry, as it happens. and technology from verified New York City, United States From smart kitchen appliances manufacturers, including At this leading trade show and surveillance cameras to home the representatives at the for interior design items, entertainment, mobile electronics, Latvian national stand. Some entrepreneurs showcase current and beauty products, GITEX 45,000 professional visitors will trends in the industry. It is one of Technology Week debuts the attend the upcoming edition of the most important meeting places products that enable a connected the event. in the United States for designers lifestyle. Visit the Latvian stand to cphi.com and manufacturers, combining see some of the achievements the best in lighting, accessories, of the country’s businesses in LATVIAN STAND AT ELMIA textiles, and the latest in the the fields of information and SUBCONTRACTOR 2019 realm of technology. The most communications technologies. November 12–15 important criteria to be selected for gitex.com Jönköping, Sweden participation in the exhibition are As Northern Europe’s leading high-quality products, innovative LATVIAN STAND AT THE subcontracting trade show, Elmia solutions, and trends that include FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR Subcontractor brings together modern nuances as well as October 16–20 the manufacturing industry’s creative and individual solutions. Frankfurt, Germany experts all under one roof. With nynow.com The Frankfurter Buchmesse is the 1200 exhibitors from about most important marketplace in 30 countries, unique conditions are LATVIAN STAND AT GITEX the world for printed and digital created for business development TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2019 content and a great social and and profitable deals. Here you will October 6–10 cultural event.