On 7 December 2024, the Latvian Patent Office (LPO) participated in an annual Latvian student enterprise trade event “CITS BAZĀRS ziemā” (ANOTHER BAZAAR in winter) organized by Junior Achievement Latvia (JA Latvia).
Throughout the day, both student enterprises and visitors had the opportunity to attend the LPO’s stand and get consultations on intellectual property protection issues.
The LPO also presented awards to the best elementary and secondary school enterprises in the category “Knowledge-based product or service”. Among the secondary school enterprises, the winner was “Strategic Games” from Riga Secondary School No. 49. The young people created a board game about political systems. In the primary school group, the best was “SkyX” from Liezere Primary School and Cesis Friendly Appeal State Gymnasium, which designed cargo drones.
An expert jury evaluated student enterprises in ten nominations:
- Socially responsible SMU
- Technologically innovative product/service
- Best sales team
- Knowledge-based product/service
- Social media communication award
- Product/service ready for international business
- Sustainable product/service
- Business potential
- Best stand
- Best product brand
The LPO’s representatives Ilze Grava, Director of the Development and International Cooperation Department, and Laima Daugavvanaga, Director of the Trademarks and Industrial Designs Department, took part in the jury’s work.
“CITS BAZĀRS ziemā” was held at Domina Shopping mall, where anyone interested could view and purchase products and services offered by student enterprises. The event brought together 270 student enterprises from all over Latvia.
The trade fair “Cits Bazārs” (Another Bazaar) is implemented within the framework of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia’s Innovative Business Development Programme for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Union. The event is organized by Latvia’s largest educational organization JA Latvia in cooperation with the long-time supporter “Swedbank”.