Next May, Latvia will host the second high-level international Drone Summit
On May 27, 2026, Riga will host the second International Drone Summit, bringing together defence ministers from the countries of the International Drone Coalition, leading experts, and companies from the defence industry. The summit will serve as a leading platform for discussions and future decisions, where Drone Coalition and allied nations will have the opportunity to agree on further drone deliveries to Ukraine, discuss the development of the drone industry, and establish new partnerships with drone manufacturers and innovators.
“Latvia has taken on international leadership in the drone industry not only by heading the Drone Coalition but also by promoting the development of the drone industry, fostering cooperation among entrepreneurs, and driving innovation. It is important that we continue to strengthen the defence capabilities of our country and its allies by encouraging closer cooperation between industry, science, and military sector,” notes Latvian Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds.
At this year’s international high-level Drone Summit, the establishment of the Autonomous Systems Competence Center, also known as the Drone Centre, was announced. The center has already begun operating at full capacity, ensuring the development, testing, and implementation of the drone and counter-drone capabilities required by the Latvian National Armed Forces, as well as close cooperation with industry and research partners from Latvia and allied nations.
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Originally published on 3 Nov
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LIAA will carry out the project “Agri-Biocircular-Hub: Center of Excellence for Smart Agriculture and Circular Bioeconomy Towards a Sustainable Agri-Food Sector in Enlargement Countries.” The project will be implemented over a four-year period, from 2025 to 2029. LIAA’s 2023-2029 strategy focuses on fostering knowledge-intensive business, export growth, and investment attraction, with an emphasis on smart specialization strategy (RIS3) areas.
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Originally published on 21 Feb
The Hola 5G Oulu project has announced the successful launch of its private 5G standalone (SA) network at Oulu University Hospital, marking Europe’s first private 5G network in a functioning hospital. This achievement has the potential to revolutionise healthcare with advanced technology. The project, a collaboration between Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue Pohde, Boldyn Networks, WICOAR Technologies, Oulu University Hospital, and the University of Oulu, aims to enhance patient care and operational efficiency through secure, high-capacity connectivity.
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Originally published on 19 Feb
Pactum AI, an Estonian startup focusing on autonomous negotiation technology, has been named the winner of DIGITALEUROPE’s prestigious Future Unicorn Award for 2025. The company was recognised at DIGITALEUROPE’s Masters of Digital conference in Brussels for its innovative AI platform that automates complex business negotiations.
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Originally published on 20 Feb
Estonia’s Milrem Robotics, world-leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, which previously made history by raising the largest foreign investment round in Estonia’s defence sector, is not slowing down. At IDEX 2025, the company launched its highly anticipated 8×8 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) and signed an agreement with Pearson Engineering to develop mission-specific uncrewed ground vehicles for the MENA region.
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Originally published on 17 Feb
The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is inviting proposals for projects that will enhance societal resilience, safety, collaboration and trust within the Baltic Sea Region under its Project Support Facility (PSF) 2025 call. Applications will be accepted until 31 March 2025.
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Originally published on 17 Feb
Invalda INVL Group today announces that it has successfully completed a first closing of its second-generation private equity fund (“INVL Private Equity Fund II”), reaching EUR 305 million and exceeding its target of EUR 250 million. The INVL Private Equity Fund II has received strong backing from both existing and new investors, forming an exceptional investor base. This includes some of the most successful entrepreneurs from across the Baltics, family offices and institutional investors such as the European Investment Fund, pensions funds managed by Luminor asset management companies, SB Asset Management and IPAS INVL Asset Management in Latvia, as well as life insurance company UAB SB Draudimas. Fundraising will continue to reach a hard cap of EUR 400 million.
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Originally published on 17 Feb
Estonian entrepreneurs can now apply for support to cover the labour costs of research and development employees. The amount of support is 50 per cent of the income tax calculated on the employee’s research and development-related salary in the second half of 2024 (up from 25% in the previous period).
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Originally published on 18 Feb
The funding call from Innovation Agency Lithuania, aimed at supporting the development of innovative products and prototypes in the EdTech and GameTech sectors, closed on February 6 with an overwhelming response. A total of 184 applications were submitted—125 from EdTech startups and 59 from GameTech. However, only the top 8 projects in each category will receive funding.
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Originally published on 18 Feb
Lithuania has emerged as one of the top countries for business, securing an impressive 2nd place in the Global Entrepreneurship Index, according to the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024/2025 data. This achievement positions Lithuania as a global leader in entrepreneurship, highlighting its dynamic and innovative business environment.
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Originally published on 18 Feb
Finland, Sweden, and Norway face similar challenges regarding land use conflicts and the social acceptability of large-scale hydrogen projects, as well as the new energy production and electricity distribution needs associated with them. These shared challenges are valuable to address and discuss collectively.
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Originally published on 16 Feb