Latvia's best student learning company has been identified, which will represent the country in the European final this year. The first place was won by the student learning company “Heatify” from Daugavpils Science Secondary School with an innovative heating solution, ensuring the opportunity to participate in the European final, which will take place in Riga for the first time this year.
The winners were determined at the Young entrepreneurs days “Gen-E”, which brought together a 31-strong team of student learning companies from all over Latvia from April 27 to 29. The National final was organized by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) in cooperation with Junior achievement Latvia.
“Heatify” offers an innovative crypto boiler - a system that uses the heat generated by the “mining” process of cryptocurrencies to heat homes efficiently. The solution is intended for both private homeowners and small businesses, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional heating methods.
“This year's final once again confirms that Latvian young people are able to create competitive, sustainable and internationally relevant business ideas. We are pleased to see that student entrepreneurship is becoming bolder and more innovative. SMU “Heatify” is a great example of how young people are able to combine technology with a practical solution to real problems. Such projects show that entrepreneurs of the future are already thinking globally today,” emphasizes Jānis Krievāns, CHAIRMAN of the Board of JA Latvia.
Ieva Jāgere, Director of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency: “at this year's final, it was particularly noticeable that young people are not only creating ideas, but solving real future problems. Seeing students' learning companies in person, it becomes clear – innovation in Latvia starts already at school. “Heatify's solution vividly demonstrates how technology and sustainability can go hand in hand, turning even the heat generated by data centers into a practical benefit for society.”
SMU “PLIX” from Riga State Technical School won 2nd place in the group of secondary schools with a compact plastic processing equipment developed for the production of new products from plastic waste. In turn, 3rd place was won by Ventspils State Gymnasium No. 1 SMU “TarraQuest” - a platform that motivates people to hand over deposit packages and take care of the environment.
The winner of the high school group was gifted a road sign to the European final by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency of Latvia. The team received cash prizes from the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and industry and Swedbank, a paid study place at Turiba University, advertising opportunities “Dienas Mediji”, as well as prizes from “Junior achievement Latvia”, “Skypark”, “Fazer”.
SMU “Lime and Lemon” from Dobele 1st Secondary School with handmade soap and candles in fruit and vegetable forms won 1st place in the primary school group. in 2nd place - SMU “LAMPwood” from Liepāja State Gymnasium with design lamps made of reusable materials, but in 3rd place - SMU “ENEREYE” from Riga State 3rd Gymnasium with a display of electricity price forecasts.
During the event, the most outstanding representatives of business education were also honored. Anita Jozus from Ventspils State Gymnasium No. 1 and Ventspils Technical School has been recognized as entrepreneurship teacher of the year 2026. She is a long-time JA Latvia teacher, under whose leadership student learning companies regularly achieve high results - including three companies reaching the “Gen-E Latvia 2026” finals this year.
Liepaja State Gymnasium has been recognized as the Business School of the year, which stands out for its ability to combine academic excellence with a practical approach, with a special emphasis on STEM fields and entrepreneurial development. TEACHERS Nadezda Yurchenko, Feliks Rekovičs and Juta Vilumsone implement JA Latvia programs at the school.
Meanwhile, Karlīna Jance - JA Latvia program graduate, who is currently developing her business by leading the cafe “Coffee Society”, won the title of Young entrepreneur of the year.
The participants of the final were presented with sympathy awards by Liepaja State Municipality, Liepaja Special Economic Zone Authority, impact Hub Liepaja, University of Latvia, LU Banking University, RTU Liepaja Academy, RTU Riga Business School, Patent Office, Transport and Telecommunication Institute. Vidzeme University of applied Sciences, Stockholm School of Economics in Riga, Dienas mediji.
A total of 31 student learning companies participated in the final - 21 secondary schools and 10 primary school teams from all over Latvia, confirming the high interest of young people in entrepreneurship and the ability to create innovative and sustainable solutions.
Thanks for the support also to “Stenders”, “Fazer”, “Skypark”, “Dienas Mediji”, the Turiba University, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and industry and the Patent Office.
The event was implemented within the framework of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency project “Development of innovative entrepreneurship of small and medium-sized enterprises”, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Union. The event was organized by “Junior achievement Latvia” in cooperation with the long-time supporter of the program “Swedbank”, the Liepāja City Council and “Valpro”.