Sometimes the best outcome of an event isn’t planned.
When Files.fm (known locally as Failiem.lv) hosted their “Business Afternoon” open doors event during Riga TechWeek 2025, they had to close registration early—the response exceeded their capacity.
More Than Expected
“We had to close registration well before the event because we exceeded capacity. The event turned into a substantial exchange of ideas, and one attendee signed up to become our business client right there on the spot.”
— Jānis Viklis, Founder and CEO
From Latvian Startup to Global Platform
Files.fm’s story is a Latvian tech success that often flies under the radar.
Founded in 2008 as Failiem.lv, the platform started as a simple file-sharing service. Since then, the company has evolved significantly:
- 2012: International expansion with Files.fm in English and Russian
- 2016: €100,000 investment in a file-selling platform
- 2017: Won LIKTA’s “Platinum Mouse” award for business solutions
- 2019: Accepted into EU’s Block.IS blockchain acceleration program
- 2021: Developed P2P content delivery using WebRTC and WebSocket
Today, Files.fm and Failiem.lv serve over a million users monthly worldwide, with about 25% from Latvia.
Why Open Doors Events Work
- Self-selecting audience — People who register are already interested
- Natural conversion opportunity — Trust builds faster through real conversation
- Ideas flow both ways — Direct user feedback surfaces insights internal teams might miss
- Low cost, high impact — Minimal budget compared to conference booths