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The Science and Innovation Centre of Riga Technical University (RTU) announces the call for participants for the second round of the “SINERGIA: Industrial Symbiosis Innovation Accelerator”, implemented in cooperation with the association CLEANTECH LATVIA. During this stage of the accelerator, participants will be tasked with developing innovative solutions for the utilisation of dairy by-products.

The accelerator programme is carried out in three rounds. Applications for the second round are open until July 25, and the programme will run from August until April 2026.

In this stage of the accelerator, participants will aim to develop innovative solutions and new applications for residues and by-products generated by two Latvian manufacturing companies. Valmieras Piens JSC and Smiltenes Piens JSC are seeking ways to utilise acid whey and flotation sludge, which are formed during the dairy production process.

Small and medium-sized enterprises established in Latvia, start-ups, as well as individuals representing relevant sectors or having ideas or preliminary solutions addressing the defined challenges are invited to apply to the programme. Applications to the accelerator can be submitted individually or in teams. Two teams will be admitted in each round of the programme, with no more than six participants per team.

Apply to participate in the accelerator.

The programme will form interdisciplinary teams led by the challenge providers, giving accelerator participants a unique opportunity to develop solutions together with Latvian manufacturers. The accelerator is focused on fostering collaboration between companies from different sectors and other market players, thus creating industrial symbiosis.

To help teams achieve the best possible results, each round of the accelerator will begin with training sessions on circular economy, systems thinking, financial literacy, regulatory frameworks, and more. After the training, teams will also receive mentoring sessions and financial support for the development of their solutions. The trainings and workshops will be held on-site at the partner companies and at Riga Technical University, as well as online. The programme language is Latvian.

More information on admission criteria and programme details.

The accelerator programme was developed within the European Union (EU) LIFE Integrated Project “Waste as Resources in Latvia – Promoting Regional Sustainability and Circularity by Implementing the Waste as Resources Concept” (LIFE Waste To Resources IP, LIFE20 IPE/LV/000014), and is implemented with the financial support of the European Union LIFE Programme and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia.

The information reflects only the views and opinions of the authors and does not necessarily reflect those of the EU or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). The EU and the funding authority are not responsible for the content expressed.