Rossella Castagna, researcher at the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS) and member of the PHOTOTHERAPORT consortium, presented the project during the Estonia–Latvia Deep Tech Forum, a high-level discussion on innovation, investment and cross-border collaboration held at the Estonian Embassy in Riga.
Last 13 April, Rossella Castagna from the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis (LIOS), a partner institution of the PHOTOTHERAPORT project, participated in the event “Start-up Growth Playbook: Funding, Investments, and Cross-Border Networks”, hosted at the Estonian Embassy in Riga.
The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, innovation stakeholders and public-sector representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges related to the growth of start-ups and deep-tech initiatives in the Baltic region. Organised in a hybrid format, the meeting attracted about 150 assistants, both an in-person audience and online participants, fostering dialogue among actors involved in research, innovation and technology transfer.
As part of the programme, Castagna joined the panel discussion “AI | Deep Tech | EU Capital: Latvia–Estonia Collaboration and Scale-Up Pathways”, where experts exchanged perspectives on the role of European cooperation, funding opportunities and international networks in supporting the development of innovative technologies.
During her intervention, Castagna presented the PHOTOTHERAPORT project and shared the journey that led this EIC Pathfinder initiative from concept to implementation. She highlighted the importance of cross-border collaboration and the exchange of expertise among partners from different countries and scientific disciplines, key elements that have contributed to the project’s progress and success.
Her presentation also provided an opportunity to introduce projects’s vision of developing light-based therapeutic approaches for neurological and sensory disorders, while illustrating how collaborative European research can drive breakthrough innovation with potential societal impact.
The event offered a valuable platform to showcase PHOTOTHERAPORT to a diverse audience that included investors, company founders and innovation policymakers, promoting awareness of the project beyond the scientific community and strengthening connections between research and innovation ecosystems across Europe.
PHOTOTHERAPORT would like to thank Marija Plotniece for the invitation and the Estonian Embassy in Riga for hosting this inspiring event dedicated to fostering international cooperation and innovation.
Participation in events such as the “Start-up Growth Playbook” reflects PHOTOTHERAPORT’s commitment to engaging with broader innovation communities and demonstrating the value of European collaborative research. By sharing experiences and building connections across borders, the project continues to contribute to a vibrant ecosystem where scientific excellence, technological innovation and international cooperation go hand in hand.
