RISEBA Students, Alumni and Academic Staff Successfully Participate in the Student Innovation Grants Programme
Students and academic staff representing RISEBA University of Applied Sciences participated in the first cycle of the Student Innovation Grants Programme, which took place from November 2025 until 7 May 2026. The theme of this cycle was “Health and Safety in Smart Systems”, highlighting the One Health approach – the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health, as well as the importance of sustainable solutions.
On 7 May 2026, Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies hosted the closing event of the first cycle of the project “LBTU Innovation Grants for Students” – “Demo Day 2026”, where 14 student teams presented their innovative solutions, prototypes, and entrepreneurial skills in the fields of health, technology, sustainability, and safety.
The team “R.A.J.A. Prime” – Andrejs Deikuns, Ariels Mitjurnikovs, and Karolina Auziņa won first place with a real-time athlete tracking system prototype designed to improve competition safety and visualization. The team was mentored by RISEBA alumna Anastasija Kižlo and received a €3000 scholarship for further project development.
As part of the project, the team developed a real-time tracking system that uses RTK and radio bridges to provide highly accurate data visualization for local sporting events and small teams. During the development process, the students faced various challenges, ranging from delivery delays and technical issues to the need to adapt the project concept due to legal considerations. According to the team members, the experience provided valuable insights into system stability, efficient task management, testing processes, and collaboration with mentors.
Another participating team was “UniProtect”, mentored by Madara Riblova, Director of the Bachelor’s Study Programme in Business Management at RISEBA. The team developed an innovative 3D-printed floorball stick blade protector and visited Riga Technical University during the project, where they received professional consultations from Dr. sc. ing. Jānis Zicāns regarding product development and implementation possibilities.
Throughout the programme, teams participated in training sessions, mentoring activities, and networking events, developing their ideas into functional prototypes. Participation in the programme gave students the opportunity to strengthen their innovation skills, collaborate with industry representatives, and develop practical solutions with real-world applications.
RISEBA highly values the importance of the programme “Innovation Grants for Students” (Project No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/001), supported by the Ministry of Education and Science and European Union funds, in fostering student innovation and entrepreneurship.
Special thanks also to Green Tech Cluster Latvia for supporting the implementation of this initiative.
The project “LBTU Innovation Grants for Students” will continue until June 2029 and will include four innovation development cycles, offering students opportunities to develop business and research ideas, collaborate with mentors, scientists, and entrepreneurs, and receive funding for the implementation of their ideas.
Project No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/001 “LBTU Innovation Grants for Students” is organised by the LBTU Student Business Incubator and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Project No. 5.1.1.2.i.0/3/24/A/CFLA/009 is implemented with the support of the European Union Recovery Fund (NextGenerationEU), in accordance with the Cabinet of Ministers Regulations No. 609 of 24 October 2023.