On February 12, the first “Business Laboratory 2025” class took place, organized by Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (ViA) in cooperation with the municipalities of Limbaži, Smiltene and Cēsis, as part of the international project “Accelerate Future HEI”. The class brought together almost 40 participants, who were selected from more than 70 applicants.
The “Business Laboratory” or B-Lab training cycle consists of 6 practical and educational classes with the aim of developing entrepreneurial skills and new business ideas with students and aspiring entrepreneurs or anyone who has their own business idea and wants to develop this idea, as well as establish cooperation with like-minded people.
In her opening speech, ViA graduate, Deputy Chairperson of the Cēsis County Council Inese Suija-Markova expressed her gratitude to ViA for providing such an opportunity to young entrepreneurs in Cēsis County: “B-Lab is an opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills, refine business ideas and receive support from experienced mentors. This year, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences continues to organize this valuable program, inviting both ViA students, as well as new entrepreneurs and business idea authors from our region to participate.”
In the first class, participants gained insight into starting a business together with Agita Šmitiņa, organizers of the "Business Laboratory" and director of ViA's Business Management studies, and also got to know each other, while Elīna Bušmane, design thinking expert and facilitator, co-founder of the design company Design Elevator and publisher Kano Editions, provided an introduction to entrepreneurship and design thinking.
The classes will take place every other Wednesday evening from 18:00 to 21:00. The training includes four face-to-face meetings and two remote classes, as well as a closing event at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences.
B-Lab is attended by young entrepreneurs and business idea authors from Cēsis, Limbaži and Smiltene municipalities, as well as ViA students.
The training will include lectures, seminars, discussions, practical work, inspirational stories, mentor consultations, as well as several networking events with experts and lecturers from Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences on various topics. topics such as design thinking, business startup pitching, financial planning, business model canvas development, digital marketing and more.
