AGP Executive Report

Green Innovation: Latvia has secured €32.54 million in Norway Grants to help businesses develop and scale green and digital technologies. LIAA plans three funding rounds in 2027, with grants from €50,000 to €3 million. Resilient Payments: Mastercard’s new rules will require offline payments on new cards and terminals across Europe from 2027; Latvia is among the countries where the system is already in use. Satellite Security: Disruptions to Starlink have exposed Ukraine’s reliance on US-controlled satellite technology. Latvia’s prime minister says Europe cannot yet provide a full alternative, sharpening calls to build up the region’s own capabilities. Cybersecurity: Latvia and Poland are seeking closer cooperation to strengthen cyber defences. Smarter Energy: Latvian telecoms company Tet is testing technology to manage electricity-grid demand more efficiently.

Digital Payments: Mastercard will require new cards issued in Europe from February 2027 to support offline payments during power or network outages, with new and replacement terminals to follow by May. The system is already in use in Latvia, Estonia, Denmark and Sweden. Clean Aviation: Latvia-based NorSAF is urging the EU to allow a wider range of feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel, warning current rules leave Europe reliant on used cooking oil imports from China. Satellite Security: EU leaders say Europe cannot quickly replace Starlink, which Ukraine relies on for battlefield communications. Latvia’s prime minister also acknowledged the capability gap as the bloc looks to develop alternatives.

Digital Sovereignty: Latvia’s Techritory 2026 conference will focus on digital sovereignty and communications security, as EU leaders warn Ukraine’s reliance on Starlink has no immediate European alternative. Defence Technology: Latvia is developing automated anti-drone defences along its Russian border, using sensors, radars and interceptor drones while leaving the final decision to fire to human operators. Science and Research: The Saeima granted citizenship to AI researcher Divya Kannan Vishwanath, who leads a Latvian laboratory applying artificial intelligence to pharmaceutical research. Cybersecurity: Latvia and Poland have agreed to deepen cooperation in cybersecurity. Clean Aviation: Latvia-based NorSAF is urging the EU to broaden eligible feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel, warning that current rules could leave Europe dependent on Chinese supplies.

Port Infrastructure: A.P. Moller Capital has agreed to buy Singapore-based Portek, whose seven-terminal portfolio includes Riga Universal Terminal. Defence Technology: Latvia is developing automated border defences to detect and track drones, with soldiers making the final decision to fire. Science Talent: The Saeima granted citizenship to computer scientist Divya Kannan Vishwanath, who leads an AI lab supporting pharmaceutical research. Digital Sovereignty: Techritory meets in Riga on 21–22 October to discuss critical data, resilient communications and local digital infrastructure. Smart Energy: Tet and grid operator Sadales tīkls completed a trial of technology to ease pressure on the electricity network during peak demand.

Autonomous Defence: Latvia is building an automated anti-drone system along its Russian border, using sensors, radar and interceptor drones to detect and track threats; a soldier would make the final decision to fire. Science Talent: The Saeima granted citizenship to AI researcher Divya Kannan Vishwanath, who leads a laboratory advancing pharmaceutical research in Latvia. Digital Sovereignty: At next week’s Techritory forum in Riga, discussions will focus on protecting critical data, resilient communications and keeping essential services running if technology providers or links fail. EU Research Funding: Leaders are divided over a proposed €141 billion cut to the next EU budget, with research and technology among the areas facing reductions; Latvia is part of the group opposing steep cuts. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure: Latvia and Poland have signed a memorandum to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation, while Tet has completed a joint trial with power-grid operator Sadales tīkls on managing electricity demand during peak periods. Pharma Industry: Grindeks invested €1.87 million to expand its finished-medicine packaging capacity.

Smart Energy: Tet has completed its part of a joint project with grid operator Sadales tīkls to test a system that can temporarily reduce participating customers’ electricity use during peak demand, easing pressure on the grid. Fintech: Latvia is stepping up efforts to attract EU-focused companies; Latvijas Banka has issued more than 20 fintech licences since the start of 2026, with officials highlighting faster licensing and pre-application guidance. Cybersecurity: Latvia and Poland have agreed to share threat information, research and training, and coordinate work to strengthen cyber capabilities. Local Industry: Latvia plans to open an anti-tank mine factory in 2028, aiming to secure supplies for its armed forces and develop domestic production skills. Research and Manufacturing: Latvian drone company SPH Engineering has launched international awards for advanced drone operations, while pharmaceutical maker Grindeks is investing €1.87 million to expand medicine packaging capacity. Battery Safety: Latvian experts warn that discarded electronics can ignite in waste trucks; residents should take phones, e-cigarettes and other battery-powered devices to proper collection points.

Energy Technology: Tet has completed its part of a joint trial with grid operator Sadales tīkls to ease electricity network strain at peak times by temporarily reducing participating customers’ consumption. Fintech: Latvia is stepping up its bid to become an EU hub; Latvijas Banka has issued more than 20 fintech licences this year, while officials promote faster licensing and pre-application guidance. Cybersecurity: Latvia and Poland have agreed to share threat information and research, and cooperate on training, capability development and joint operations. Drone Innovation: Latvian company SPH Engineering has announced winners of its first global awards, recognising drone projects in mining, construction and research. Pharmaceuticals: Grindeks invested €1.87 million in a packaging line at its Tallinn plant, adding capacity and flexibility across its Latvian and Estonian production sites.

Fintech: Latvia is stepping up its bid to become an EU fintech hub. Latvijas Banka has issued more than 20 licences this year, and the sector now includes 127 companies. Cybersecurity: Latvia and Poland have agreed to share threat information and research, strengthen training and coordinate joint operations. Pharmaceuticals: Grindeks invested €1.87 million in a packaging line at its Tallinn subsidiary, adding capacity and reducing reliance on its Riga site. Defence technology: A new anti-tank mine plant is planned to open in Latvia in 2028, building local production skills and supply chains. Riga will also host a European defence hackathon focused on battlefield autonomy and detecting low-altitude threats.

Cybersecurity: Latvia and Poland signed a new defence cooperation agreement covering cyber-threat information, training, research and joint operations. Defence Technology: Latvia approved a new anti-tank mine plant, due to begin production in 2028 and supply the armed forces as well as export markets. Innovation: A European Commission-backed defence hackathon runs in Riga from October 15–17, challenging teams to develop autonomous systems that detect and prioritise low-altitude threats. Pharma: Grindeks invested €1.87 million in a packaging line at its Tallinn facility, adding capacity and flexibility for the Latvian pharmaceutical group. Fintech: Latvijas Banka has issued more than 20 fintech licences this year, as LIAA steps up efforts to attract companies to Latvia.

Counter-Drone Research: A U.S.-British Army exercise in Latvia next May will test shared requirements for counter-drone systems, with about 1,000 soldiers expected to take part. Defence Innovation: Startups, researchers and engineers will gather in Riga on Oct. 15–17 for a European Commission-backed hackathon focused on battlefield autonomy, including tools to detect and prioritise low-flying threats. Military Technology: Latvia has received its first locally assembled Hunter infantry fighting vehicle. The programme aims to deliver 84 by 2029, supported by a new manufacturing facility in Valmiera. Fintech Growth: Latvia’s central bank has issued more than 20 fintech licences so far this year, as the investment agency promotes the country to foreign firms seeking EU market access. Archaeological Science: Genetic analysis of six people buried together in ninth-century Latvia found family links and fatal sharp-force injuries, raising the possibility they died in a Viking-era raid.

Archaeology & Genetics: DNA analysis of a mass grave in Latvia dating to the ninth century linked six people as relatives; injuries on three men raise the possibility they died in a battle or Viking raid. Defence Innovation: A European Commission hackathon at the University of Latvia, October 15–17, will challenge teams to build autonomous systems, including tools to detect and rank low-altitude threats. Digital Finance: Latvia has 10 firms on the EU’s MiCA crypto-asset register. Paybis co-founder Konstantins Vasilenko argues licence counts alone don’t show where the region’s digital-asset infrastructure is developing. Private 5G: Latvian provider LMT and partners completed trials at Lithuania’s Klaipėda Port, demonstrating how private 5G can support autonomous inspection drones and survey vessels.

Crypto Infrastructure: Latvia has 10 providers on the EU’s MiCA register, but a Paybis executive argues licences alone miss where the Baltics are building crypto and payment infrastructure. 5G at the Port: Latvian operator LMT and partners completed private 5G trials at Klaipėda Port, testing autonomous drones and survey vessels for inspections and faster data handling. Riga’s Camera Legacy: The Minox spy camera began as Walter Zapp’s pocket-camera idea, with Riga machinist Richard Jürgens building early prototypes before local firm VEF took interest. Quantum Links: Latvia has launched cooperation with Canada’s Sherbrooke quantum technology ecosystem, opening a new channel for research and innovation.

Riga’s Camera Legacy: The Minox began as a 1930s engineering project, not a spy gadget. Inventor Walter Zapp worked with Riga machinist Richard Jürgens to build the first prototypes, which later attracted Latvian electronics company VEF. 5G at Klaipėda Port: Latvian provider LMT helped complete private-network trials, with demonstrations including an autonomous inspection drone and LVR Flote’s uncrewed survey vessel. Quantum Research: Latvia has launched cooperation with Canada’s Sherbrooke quantum technology ecosystem, opening a new channel for research links. Drone Detection: An app to detect drones is being developed in Latvia, adding to local efforts to build security technology.

Industrial 5G: Latvia’s LMT and partners completed private 5G trials at Lithuania’s Klaipėda Port, demonstrating autonomous drones and an uncrewed survey vessel for faster inspections and data processing. Defence Innovation: Latvia is developing an app to detect drones, while the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia will lead efforts to grow defence-company exports and attract investment. Quantum Research: Latvia has launched cooperation with Canada’s Sherbrooke quantum technology ecosystem. Resilient Payments: Mastercard’s offline payment system, designed to keep essential purchases possible during power or network outages, is already deployed in Latvia.

Industrial 5G: Latvia’s LMT and Santa Monica Networks completed trials of a private 5G network at Lithuania’s Klaipėda Port, demonstrating how reliable connectivity could support autonomous drones, survey vessels and faster port operations. Payments Resilience: Mastercard says its offline payment system is already deployed in Latvia, allowing eligible transactions to continue during network outages; new European card and terminal requirements begin in 2027. Quantum Research: Latvia has launched cooperation with Canada’s Sherbrooke quantum technology ecosystem, opening a new channel for research and innovation ties. Drone Detection: An app to detect drones is being developed in Latvia, adding a local technology effort as demand grows for tools to monitor airspace. Circular Economy: Latvia, Estonia and Finland are testing new recycling models through the €2.64 million SustainaCycle project.

Private 5G: Latvian telecom provider LMT and Santa Monica Networks completed trials at Lithuania’s Klaipėda Port, demonstrating how 5G could support autonomous drones, survey vessels and faster port operations. Resilient Payments: Mastercard plans to require offline payment capability on new European cards from February 2027 and on new or replacement terminals from May; its system is already in use in Latvia and three other countries. Defence Technology: An app for detecting drones is under development in Latvia, as the country steps up support for defence innovation and exports. Quantum Research: Latvia has launched cooperation with Canada’s Sherbrooke quantum technology ecosystem, opening a new link for research and technology collaboration.