EstLat BioBoost

Boosting cross border entrepreneurial collaboration in life sciences and biotechnology between Latvia and Estonia

The project partners delivered bi-national joint business support activities, thus increasing the competitiveness of start-ups and SMEs in the life sciences sector in Estonia and Latvia and supporting the development of cross-border cooperation between Estonian and Latvian SMEs. Through cross-border cooperation the project has created opportunities, which have led to a more open and innovative business environment, which encourages entrepreneurial behaviour and the development of new ideas and initiatives between the two neighbouring countries.

During the project events, trainings, coaching, and mentoring, a major theme was the benefits of regional collaboration and how joint marketing, promotion and sales can increase the critical mass and, as a result, increase the competitiveness of Estonian and Latvian enterprises.

Activities carried out and achieved results:

• 17 jointly organised events were delivered – 6 trainings, 2 group coaching events, 6 Business Lab sets (individual coaching), a pitching event, a networking event and a study visit to Finland.

- The organised trainings taught entrepreneurial knowledge and skillsets with a clear focus to facilitate cooperation and information exchange, thus enhancing business activity between entrepreneurs in EE and LV.

- 3 EE and 3 LV companies participating in the workshops within the 6 Business Lab sets developed a closer relationship with the other companies chosen for the Business Lab, resulting in possibilities for creating synergies, boosting Innovation and having a functioning business network between LV and EE life sciences companies, enabling fast business growth and cross-border technology transfer when the need should arise. 6 companies chosen for participation in Business Labs also received three types of individual coaching/consultations.

- The organised networking event, pitching event and business visit to Finland were important opportunities for enterprises to network with other LV and EE SMEs, to pitch to investors and exchange experiences between them and other neighbouring countries.

• Altogether 253 unique participants took part in the organised project events.
• 398 Life Science SMEs have been reached by project partners either through direct contact or by emails, approximately 50% of the reached SMEs were participating in project events. More than 80% of reached SMEs where from programme area.

Participants of project events have benefited from the perspectives and experiences of a diverse group of fellow science-based entrepreneurs, coaches, and mentors, many with international business experience. This cross-border project has also resulted in EE and LV companies building sales across their borders.

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