When Riga TechWeek 2025 opened on August 25, it didn’t start in a conventional conference center. Instead, the opening day unfolded at Āgenskalna tirgus—Riga’s historic market hall turned cultural and event space.
The “Talent, Technology & Finance Intersection Day” brought together unexpected voices: film producers, professional athletes, investors, psychotherapists, and technology experts.
The Program
Morning: Film Industry × Technology
The day opened with a panel on Latvia’s opportunities in hybrid and remote film production, featuring Andrejs Ēķis (Cinevilla Studios), Neils Kalniņš (Techritory), and technology experts Pēteris Krustiņš and Valdis Krūmiņš.
Afternoon: Athletes Talk Investing
Professional athletes and sports entrepreneurs shared investment experiences: Žanis Peiners (basketball analyst), Andis Blinds (Blindsave founder), Anrijs Brencāns (Fan Apps), and Arnis Ozols (former Euroleague referee).
The session also marked the launch of Sporttech Latvia.
Later: Well-being in Tech
Dr. Anita Gaile and psychotherapist Lāsma Novika led a conversation about self-preservation and well-being—increasingly relevant as tech professionals face burnout and constant connectivity.
Why Āgenskalna tirgus?
The venue choice reflected TechWeek’s ethos: don’t wait for perfect infrastructure, work with what the city offers. Originally built in 1911-1912 and recently revitalized, the market provides an atmospheric setting that conventional conference hotels cannot match.
An Open Invitation
The organizers issued a public call: anyone who wanted to host an activity during the day could join by contacting hello@techweek.lv. This exemplified TechWeek’s decentralized model—allowing community members to contribute content right up to the event.
The day was presented by XYZ Combinator in partnership with Āgenskalna tirgus, with support from Abrands.