Researchers from the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL) and teams from other Latvian research institutions, took part in the first evaluation round of the second BioPhoT Research and Innovation Projects call. In total, 97 research teams presented their ideas to industry expert panels, including 11 teams from ISSP UL.
The projects were presented at the Riga Technical University Science and Innovation Centre in a concise format with particular emphasis on technological readiness, market potential, and possible commercialization pathways.
The evaluation involved internationally experienced industry professionals and deep tech investors, who assessed the projects’ technological advantages, development potential, and risks on the path to market, providing structured feedback. Such early industry involvement enables researchers to refine their project focus in a timely manner and better align it with real market needs.
Matīss Neimanis, Managing Partner and CEO of the venture capital fund and accelerator Buildit Latvia, notes that the overall quality of the presentations was very high and clearly demonstrated progress compared to the first BioPhoT call. He attributes this improvement to the platform’s training opportunities and mentoring support, which have enabled teams to present their ideas more freely and clearly.
The first evaluation round was passed by 71 project applications of the 97 teams, with 9 projects from ISSP UL researchers – they will now be forwarded for scientific assessment by independent experts selected by the Latvian Council of Science in the coming months.
BioPhoT industry expert panels help bridge the gap between academic research and entrepreneurship, while motivating researchers to more precisely define project goals, team competencies, and commercialization strategies.
