What to expect?

Full-day event prioritizing practical outcomes:

founder-investor meetings
opportunities to showcase startups
networking & global connections
practical advice stage content

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150+
Startup reps

20+
International VCs

15
International Speakers

VCs attending

Apply as an Investor

Agenda & Speakers

10:00 - 10:20

Opening

Speakers

Annija Mezgaile - CEO at TechChill
Marharita Horokhova - Head of Development and Partnerships at Techosystem
Andrejs Pildegovičs - Latvian ambassador to Ukraine

10:20 - 10:50

Investing in Ukraine- Local Minds, Global Eyes

Ukraine’s tech scene is full of potential, but how do investors navigate its complexities?

This session features a cross-border conversation between international and local VCs to explore the mindset of local founders, the expectations of global investors, and the challenges that shape Ukraine’s investment landscape.

Fireside

Marvin Liao - CIO & Partner at Sukna Holdings
Elena Mazhuha - Partner at Flyer One Ventures

10:50 - 11:50

Pitch sessions // Part 1

The journey from pitch prep to big stage ends here - for now. Ukrainian startups who’ve trained with expert coaches and honed their stories are now ready to face the ultimate challenge: a live pitch in front of international investors. The prize? A place in the TechChill Riga 2026 delegation and a gateway to global markets.

Startups

TBA

11:50 - 12:10

Don’t Annoy, Get Noticed

Not every startup story deserves a headline. In this brutally honest and highly practical session, you'll learn what makes the media care and what makes them hit delete. Discover how to craft compelling narratives, build real relationships with journalists, and get the right kind of attention without being a nuisance.

Keynote

Mike Butcher - Independent Tech Journalist

12:10 - 12:30

Speak to Be Remembered

Most people forget what you say minutes after you say it unless you know how to make it memorable. Explore the memory hacks hidden in great storytelling and learn how to communicate in a way that sticks with your audience long after the conversation ends.

Keynote

Gleb Maltsev - Pitch Coach

12:30 - 12:50

Turning Press Into Pipeline

How can a well-executed PR strategy continue to bring in clients years after the initial buzz? In this case study, DeskTime shares how strategic media communication has driven long-term success, proving that great PR isn’t just about short-term visibility it’s a growth engine. Join us to learn how consistent messaging, media relationships, and timing can turn PR into a lasting business asset.

Keynote

Elvis Ābeltiņš - Chief Marketing Officer at DeskTime

12:50 - 13:50

Lunch

14:00 - 14:30

Scaling Science- The Cellbox Labs Story

What does it take to turn deep science into a scalable business? In this session, Gatis Mozolevskis, scientist-turned-founder of Cellbox Labs, shares his journey from running an academic lab to leading a startup shaping the future of micro and nanotechnology. Learn how to navigate the challenges of bringing research out of the lab and into the market, while managing a team of PhDs and building cutting-edge tools.

Fireside

Gatis Mozolevskis - CEO & Co-founder at Cellbox Labs
Cate Lawrence - Senior writer at Tech.eu

14:30 - 15:30

Pitch sessions // Part 2

Startups

TBA

Pitch sessions // Part 2

15:30 - 16:00

How to Hire Your Startup’s Core

Building your core team is more than filling roles, it’s about setting your startup’s DNA. Hiring your first team members can make or break your startup. how to identify the right people, build a strong foundation, and create a culture that scales. Discover how to hire with intention, foster a people-first culture, and lay the foundation for sustainable growth.

Fireside

Sintija Petersone - Chief Operating & People Officer at DeskTime
Alexandra Balkova - Partner at Startup Wise Guys

16:00 - 16:20

Landing Clients Before You're Known

Before the big funding rounds and billion-dollar exits, every startup has to land those crucial first customers. In this session, five-time founder and early-stage investor Zach Coelius shares how to win clients when no one knows who you are.

Keynote

Zach Coelius - Founder at Coelius Capital

16:20 - 16:40

Scaling with the Exit in Mind

Some founders build for the long haul. Others build to sell. Learn how to grow your company with a strategic exit in sight - what to focus on, what to document, and how to make your business irresistible when the right opportunity knocks.

Keynote

Lev Bass - Co-founder at Huntli (Exited), Founder of Huntli

16:40 - 17:10

The eAgronom Story - Tech with Roots

Robin Saluoks went from growing up on a farm to founding eAgronom, a tech company transforming how over 3,500 farmers across Europe and Africa work. In this founder story, he shares how combining deep agricultural knowledge with computer science led to real impact, improving soil health, simplifying processes, and unlocking the potential of carbon farming. A grounded perspective on building tech that truly serves people and the planet.