On May 12, 2026, from 8:30 AM, the international deep tech commercialization forum “Innovation Impact Forum 2026,” organized by the University of Latvia Innovation and Acceleration Center, will take place at the University of Latvia's House of Science, Jelgavas iela 3, Riga, in the “Alfa” auditorium. The event will bring together representatives of the Baltic innovation ecosystem, European investors, policymakers, and industry experts, creating a strategic platform for cooperation, knowledge exchange, and investment development.
The forum is envisioned as a high-level discussion and networking space that will analyze the key factors driving the transition of deep technology innovation from scientific discoveries to commercially viable solutions in global markets. The event's content covers intellectual property management, technology transfer mechanisms, investment structures, and international cooperation models.
Event participants will have the opportunity to understand the development process of deep technology innovation from patent to market, meet with policymakers, patent office representatives, technology transfer offices, venture capital funds, and industry partners, gain in-depth insights into intellectual property strategies and investment architecture, and build professional connections with international investors, industry experts, and startup representatives.
The forum program is structured into four thematic blocks. The first block is dedicated to intellectual property issues, analyzing the importance of patents in the commercialization of innovation. The second block focuses on technology transfer and cooperation models between academia and industry. The third block will examine international success stories, highlighting innovation development in cross-border contexts. Finally, the fourth block features parallel “BioPhoT” pitch sessions, where deep tech teams will present their solutions to potential investors.
Within the forum, internationally recognized experts from leading institutions and industries will be presenting. Among the speakers are Ali Jazairy from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Andrea Basso from MITO Tech Ventures, Cyrus Gunalan Veloo from Caetan, Michael Norton from Wolven Industries, and Raj Mendhir from Wippd. Panel discussions will feature representatives from WIPO, Kaunas University of Technology, TALTEC, the University of Latvia, and other international and regional innovation ecosystem players, providing a multidimensional perspective on intellectual property management, technology transfer, and investment strategies.
The day also includes thematic discussions, networking breaks, and a lunch break, which will foster informal contacts among representatives from various sectors. At the end of the forum, there will be an awards ceremony for the best “BioPhoT” pitch presentations and a networking event with investors, industry representatives, and the research community, thereby promoting the development of new partnerships and investment opportunities.
“The ”Innovation Impact Forum 2026" aims to strengthen the Baltic region's position in the European innovation space, while promoting knowledge transfer, international cooperation, and the commercialization of high value-added technologies. The event will be held in English. More information about the event program and registration is available here.
