• TechChill returns to Riga on March 25–27th 2026, gathering startups, investors, and tech leaders
• Over 2,000 participants are expected, including 300 startups and 250 investors from across Europe
• Founders Battle highlights early-stage startups pitching to investors for funding and visibility
• Side events and expert talks expand networking and ecosystem collaboration.

The Baltic region’s flagship startup and technology conference, TechChill 2026, returns to Riga, Latvia, on March 25–27th, bringing together founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders for three days of networking, startup pitches, and industry discussions.

Recognized as one of the leading startup events in the CEE, this year’s TechChill expects to welcome more than 2,000 participants, including over 300 startups, 250 investors, dozens of speakers, and media representatives from across Europe and beyond. The Conference resumes its role as a meeting point for innovators from the Baltic, Nordic, and Central and Eastern European regions, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, attract investment, and explore new partnerships.

The main conference program will take place on March 26–27th in Riga, featuring keynote talks, panel discussions, startup showcases, and networking sessions focused on scaling technology companies and navigating global markets.

Founders Battle to Spotlight Emerging Startups

One of the central highlights of the conference is the TechChill Founders Battle, the event’s signature startup competition. The contest brings early-stage startups to the main stage, where top 20 selected teams will pitch their products and business models in front of investors, mentors, and industry experts.

Participating startups receive exposure to hundreds of investors and ecosystem stakeholders attending the conference. The competition also provides founders with mentoring and feedback opportunities, helping them refine their pitches and strengthen their investment readiness before presenting on stage.

For many startups, the Founders Battle has become an important launchpad to secure funding, gain international visibility, and build strategic partnerships across the European startup ecosystem.

Side Events Expand Networking Across the City

TechChill officially kicks off on March 25th with a full day of community-driven side events taking place across Riga. These sessions are designed to encourage informal networking and knowledge exchange between founders, investors, and tech professionals.

Many of the side events are free and open to both TechChill attendees and the broader startup community, creating an accessible entry point for newcomers to connect with the ecosystem.

The side-event program includes a variety of formats, from expert workshops and industry discussions to community meetups and networking gatherings. Examples include sessions like StartSchool and Elevate, which offer practical masterclasses for early-stage founders, as well as thematic discussions like Baltic Startup Policy Forum, focused on startup-friendly, evidence-based policymaking.

Other events focus on specific sectors and communities, including Investor Day, From Qubits to Code: Scaling in Canada, and other sessions. In addition to professional sessions, informal networking formats, such as the Community Mixer, help bring together participants in a relaxed environment before the main conference begins.

Speakers and Topics

As one expects, TechChill brings together top-tier speakers and attendees from across the Baltics and beyond at its main event at Hanzas Perons. From aspiring tech students and future founders to seasoned entrepreneurs and investors, everyone will benefit from this exceptional chance to network and explore the latest tech trends showcased through real-world examples.

Having spoken to countless founders about why they came to TechChill in the first place and how they wanted to benefit from the event, TechChill received a unanimous answer – they needed fewer inspirational talks, and more guidance based on real-life experience.

‘We’ve always been here to support Baltic founders first and foremost, and the TechChill 2025 program reflects that,’ TechChill’s CEO Annija Mežgaile states.

Namely, this TechChill’s agenda will cover the following topics:

• AI and VC in the Baltics
• Dual-Use as the New Default
• EU-specific Startup and Scaleup Strategies
• Impact Product Journey
• State Institutions and Army’s Expectations from Innovation
• Trust in AI-Powered Commerce
• The complete agenda is available here.

The confirmed speakers include:

• ​Andra Bagdonaite, General Partner at FIRSTPICK
• Anna Baranenko, COO of Saint Javelin
• Andris Berzins, Partner at Change Ventures
• Viktor Bodnar, Chairperson of the Management Board at BlockBen
• Iveta Bruvele​, Founder and CEO at Wandoo Finance
• Julija JJ Jegorova, Founder and CEO at Black Unicorn PR
• Madara Knutina, Board Member at Startin.lv, Head of Operations at BADideas.fund
• Tina Luse, Managing Director at Fintech Latvia Association
• Ramona Miglane, Partner at Sorainen
• Kristaps Prusis, Founding Partner at Outlast Fund
• Kriss Pujats, Co-Founder and CTO at Gravity Team
• Tim Vaino, Investor at Practica Capital
• Agnese Veckalne-Lescinska, Board Member at Latvian Startup Association, Director of Operations at Edurio
• Linda Võeras, Investment Manager at Karma Ventures
• Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
• and more. Check out the full list of speakers here.

In a Nutshell

• Where: Hanzas Perons and other venues across Riga, Latvia
• When: March 25–27th, 2026
• Tickets cost EUR 69–559 and are available here, use promo code ITKEY15 for 15% off
• More information: at the event’s website