The session “From Lab to Life: Industry-Driven Innovation” serves as a dynamic meeting point for researchers and industry partners to showcase how scientific ideas developed at the University of Latvia have successfully transitioned from laboratory concepts into real-world solutions.
Focusing on collaborative projects completed within the last three years, the session highlights innovations co-created through active partnerships between university research teams and companies from diverse sectors. Presentations are invited from all academic disciplines, including natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, humanities, and the arts. Interdisciplinary innovations—where multiple fields converge to address complex challenges—are particularly encouraged.
A distinctive feature of this session is its joint presentation format: each talk is delivered by a research representative together with their industry partner, demonstrating the collaboration in practice. This dialog-based approach will allow both perspectives—the scientific and the entrepreneurial—to be shared, revealing the full trajectory of innovation from initial research idea to societal and market impact.
The session will provide insights into the innovation journey: from problem identification and research breakthroughs to technology transfer, product development, and market implementation.
Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- new materials and technologies;
- biotech and life-science solutions;
- ICT and digital innovations;
- environmental and sustainability-oriented advancements;
- novel approaches in social, cultural, or educational contexts.
The goal is to illuminate successful models of collaboration, highlight lessons learned, and inspire future partnerships that strengthen Latvia’s innovation ecosystem.
Target audience: researchers, industry and company representatives, students, policymakers, and all stakeholders interested in how university-based research can drive industrial competitiveness, societal progress, and sustainable development.
