Depending on your startup’s stage and industry, some of these gatherings will be true must-attend opportunities. From intimate community meetups to large-scale international conferences, Labs of Latvia has curated a list of local startup events with global reach and real value for founders in 2026.
1. The Open Coffee Club Riga meetups
Open Coffee Club Riga is a series of informal, welcoming networking events for entrepreneurs, professionals, students, and members of the startup community in Riga. Designed as an “un-meeting” with no speakers or fixed agenda, it focuses on peer-to-peer value and meaningful conversations that can lead to new ideas, collaborations, or connections.
The event follows a simple, structured format that gives everyone the chance to briefly introduce who they are, what they’re working on, what they’re looking for, and how they can help others. After the introductions, participants are free to continue conversations that matter most to them. The Open Coffee Club Riga is open to everyone – and especially friendly to first-timers.
When: Recurring – next event on February 12, 2026
Where: Riga, Startup House
Website: https://www.meetup.com/techhubriga/
2. TechChill conference
If you’re a startup founder, your calendar is probably already marked in red for the annual TechChill. While the dates change every year, the event traditionally takes place – true to its name – during the chilly season. Latvia’s flagship startup and tech festival is also one of the largest tech and startup gatherings in the Baltics.
This year, TechChill celebrates its 15th anniversary of bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem players through insightful panels, networking, and pitching opportunities. To mark the occasion, the festival has announced its largest-ever prize pool for the TechChill Founders Battle pitch competition, totaling €1 million.
When: March 25-27, 2026
Where: Riga, Hanzas Perons
Website: https://www.techchill.com/
3. UN:BLOCK 2026
UN:BLOCK is a major event in the broader startup space focused on Web3, blockchain, and decentralised technologies, attracting innovators and investors in crypto from across Europe. In 2025, the first edition of the conference brought together more than 250 companies, and 100 speakers from 40 countries.
The program will feature two dedicated stages – one focused on blockchain innovation and the other on fintech and traditional banking. Alongside the stages and expo, attendees can expect curated VIP experiences, high-level dinners, and networking activities designed to connect innovators, policymakers, financial institutions, and industry leaders.
When: April 1-2, 2026
Where: Riga, Hanzas Perons
Website: https://unblockeurope.com/
4. Baltic Fintech Days
The Baltics have firmly established themselves as a fintech powerhouse in Europe, and Baltic Fintech Days serves as the central meeting point for this momentum. The event brings together founders, scaleups, regulators, investors, financial institutions, and technology leaders to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of financial services. With a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and growth, it offers startups valuable exposure to international capital, partnerships, and talent.
In 2026, Baltic Fintech Days takes a truly regional approach, spanning all three Baltic states and uniting fintech ecosystems across borders. The program features a diverse agenda of keynotes, panels, and deep-dive sessions alongside extensive networking and side events.
When: May 12-13, 2026
Where: Riga, Hanzas Perons
Website: https://balticfintechdays.com/
5. Deep Tech Atelier
The Baltics’ largest deep-tech conference is a two-day event focused on breakthrough technologies such as AI, MedTech, defence, space, and other advanced science-driven fields. For deep-tech startups from the region, Deep Tech Atelier is a key meeting point to showcase innovation, gain visibility, and connect with the wider ecosystem.
The conference features startup pitch sessions, an innovation expo, investor matchmaking, and hands-on workshops led by global experts. Beyond inspiration, the program emphasizes practical insights – helping founders navigate commercialization, funding, regulation, and scaling complex technologies from research to real-world impact.
When: May 14-15, 2026
Where: Riga, Fantadroms
Website: https://deeptechatelier.com/
6. StartSchool Demo Day
Demo Day marks the culmination of StartSchool’s education program, offering first-time founders a platform to present their business ideas, products, and early progress to the wider startup community. The event brings together aspiring entrepreneurs, ecosystem partners, and supporters to celebrate new ventures, gather feedback, and create visibility for emerging teams taking their first public steps.
The program includes pitch presentations, followed by announcements and awards recognizing standout ideas. The second part of the event is a relaxed, picnic-style gathering, blending community spirit with summer vibes and an open, supportive atmosphere for ideas and innovation.
When: June, 2026, dates TBA
Where: Riga, Startup House
Website: https://www.startuphouse.lv/events
7. LAMPA festival
Although not a startup-only event, Festival LAMPA offers significant value for founders and startup teams looking to broaden their perspective beyond the usual tech and business bubble. Set in the open and vibrant atmosphere of Cēsis Castle Park, this free of charge festival features hundreds of discussions, workshops, and performances covering topics from technology and innovation to mental health, culture, and identity.
LAMPA brings together policymakers, business leaders, researchers, creatives, and civil society voices, creating a rare opportunity for startups to engage with decision-makers, understand societal trends, and test ideas in a wider public context. For founders building products that intersect with regulation, sustainability, health, education, or civic life, the conversations at LAMPA can be especially relevant.
When: July 10-11, 2026
Where: Cesis Castle Park
Website: https://festivalslampa.lv
8. Summer UnRest
This is a recurring summer networking event organized by the TechChill team and bringing together the tech and startup community in a relaxed beachside setting. Designed around good vibes, music, and informal conversations, it offers a laid-back way for professionals to connect in Latvia’s coastal “city of wind,” creating space for meaningful interactions outside traditional conference formats.
The gathering attracts IT professionals, startup founders, investors, and business leaders for casual networking under the summer sun. With engaging conversations and spontaneous discussions by the sea, the event captures the spirit of connection, inspiration, and community.
When: August, exact dates TBA
Where: Liepāja beach, exact location TBA
Website: No dedicated website; follow news on TechChill social networks
9. Startup BBQ
This event is a no-agenda, all-vibes celebration of the Latvian startup ecosystem – a community-built informal gathering. It’s an event where founders, operators, families, and friends come together to relax, connect, and share stories beyond pitch decks and panels. The atmosphere is open, welcoming, and playful, driven by good conversations, shared experiences, and a collective sense of belonging.
Attendees can expect great food with DIY grilling, refreshments, spontaneous chats, late-night pitches, and the occasional unexpected stand-up moment. The experience often features a Nordic-style sauna by the river, and games and activities for both kids and grownups.
When: August, exact dates TBA
Where: Startup House Riga
Website: https://www.startuphouse.lv/
10. Riga Comm
This is the only annual business technology fair and conference in the Baltics, bringing together entrepreneurs, public-sector leaders, and industry professionals from across the region and beyond. The event creates a focused environment to explore how digital solutions can drive efficiency, competitiveness, and growth for businesses and organizations of all sizes.
The exhibition showcases leading providers of business software, cloud and cybersecurity solutions, digital marketing tools, e-commerce platforms, and advanced ICT hardware. Visitors can engage directly with experts, compare solutions, and receive practical, tailored recommendations to support informed decision-making.
When: October 8-9, 2026
Where: Riga, Kipsala International Exhibition Centre
Website: https://rigacomm.com/en/
11. “Idea Cup” business idea competition by LIAA
Now entering its 18th edition, Idea Cup (Ideju kauss) continues to be a nationwide platform for early-stage ideas and entrepreneurial growth. In 2025, Ideju kauss brought together 355 idea authors, with 49% representing RIS3 priority sectors. Throughout the competition, participants develop essential business skills, explore innovation components for their ideas, learn how to grow and scale their ventures, and gain insight into available business support services.
The event is organized by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) with the support of the European Regional Development Fund’s Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) Innovative Business Development Program. More information about the competition format and application process will be announced closer to the event date.
When: August 1, 2026
Where: TBA
Website: https://www.idejukauss.lv/
12. Latvian Startup Awards
The Latvian Startup Awards ceremony celebrates the founders, teams, and ideas driving innovation across Latvia’s startup ecosystem. The annual event recognizes standout achievements from the past year, highlighting startups and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional growth, impact, leadership, and ambition across a wide range of categories – from early-stage newcomers to scaling companies and ecosystem leaders.
The evening combines recognition with community and celebration, featuring networking, a reflective look at the year, the awards ceremony, and a closing party. Bringing together founders, investors, partners, and ecosystem supporters, the event offers a high-energy setting to connect, be inspired, and honor the success stories shaping Latvia’s startup future.
When: December 2026, dates TBA
Where: Riga, Spikeri Concert Hall
Website: https://startupawards.lv/
Stay tuned and follow updates
We hope this overview helps you plan your startup event calendar for the year ahead. Keep in mind, however, that not all events have announced their full programs or exact dates yet, so be sure to watch for updates as the year unfolds.
The best way to enter close-knit startup event circles is to network, attend meetups in your local startup hub, and follow startup organizations like TechChill, Startup House Riga, and ITWaffleMeetup on social networking sites. Sometimes cool events are announced only a month or so in advance.
For even closer access to the ecosystem, consider joining the recently launched tech community chat on the BirdyChat app; you can reach out to Startup House Riga to get included.