On April 11 rich in ideas pupils of secondary schools from Kurzeme got together in semi-final of the „Izaugsmes Forums 2012” in Ventspils to find out which team in 6 hours is able to create an actual idea and present the business model in 3 minutes for „potential investors” – competition’s jury consisting also of representatives of the Business Incubator of the Ventspils High Technology Park (the VHTP).

“Izaugsmes forums” is a team competition for pupils of secondary schools about the best new business idea or improvement of an existing product consisting of 3 stages – semi-final in the biggest Latvian cities and the final in Riga where finalists will fight for an opportunity to study at the Riga Stradiņš University free-of-charge, as well as for a grant to start entrepreneurship.

 The competition is being organized in order to create ideas for solution of social issues in regions, as well as to increase understanding about business start-up opportunities in Latvia.

In total the event gathered more than 30 youth from Ventspils and Kuldīga. There were the same provisions for all the participants – a must to present a business idea in 3 minutes for those being present, and 2 more minutes to answer questions of the jury.

Evaluating all business ideas the jury unanimously decided to propose to the final youth from Ventspils Gymnasium No 1 for an idea related to new use of plastic bottles. Also the VHTP Business Incubator supported the winners offering them an opportunity to use services of the VHTP Ideas’ workshop – free-of-charge infrastructure and experts support for further examination of the idea.

An idea of pupils of a secondary school from Kuldīga about use of artistic methods to attract tourists to Kuldīga city and increase sale of domestic products was short for only a couple of points to win the semifinal.  Pupils from Kuldīga received a special prize from Kurzeme Business Incubator – an opportunity to continue to develop the idea at the Pre-incubator in Kuldīga.

Ideas about technological solutions for devices’ charging and creation of a youth Internet portal received a special prize from the VHTP Business Incubator – visit of the Kurzeme Democentre.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed about the Ventspils team and wish them luck at the final of the „Izaugsmes Forums 2012” taking place in Riga on May 10-11!