Kurzeme Business Forum "BALTIC DEFENCE INVESTMENT PITCH 2025"

November 28, 2025.
Ventspils Science Center VIZIUM
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

On November 28 of this year, the Kurzeme Business Forum “Baltic Defence Investment Pitch 2025” will take place at the Ventspils Science Centre “Vizium”. The event will focus on the development opportunities of the defence industry in Latvia and the Baltic States, as well as attracting investment to the sector.
The forum will be held from 10:00 to 17:00 and will consist of two thematic parts — discussions and presentations on Latvia’s readiness to host defence industry manufacturing, and an investment session titled “Defence Investment Pitch”, where companies will present their technological solutions to potential investors. The forum will be conducted in Latvian and English, and thanks to SIA “Tilde”’s artificial intelligence translation solution, simultaneous interpretation will be provided, making the event accessible to an international audience.

​“Given the current geopolitical situation, the defence and dual-use sector is becoming one of the most strategically important investment directions — not only in terms of security but also in the context of economic growth. In Latvia, and especially in regions such as Ventspils, a strong infrastructure has been developed, where technology and manufacturing companies can become part of the global defence innovation chain. This forum is an opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of Latvian companies, attract foreign capital, and foster cooperation that creates new export niches,” emphasizes Laura Štrovalde, Deputy Director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia.
The aim of the forum is to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors by promoting investment and innovation in the defence industry. Chairman of the Ventspils City Council, Jānis Vītoliņš, notes: “Latvia’s security and defence capability is not only a military matter — it is also closely linked to economic and regional development. Ventspils is already one of the places where technology and industry meet. We see an opportunity to become a significant partner in the national defence industry — with modern production facilities, accessible port infrastructure, and a strong business environment. We must work together — at the national, municipal, and entrepreneurial levels — to make Latvia a safe, innovative, and economically strong centre for the defence industry.”
The first part of the forum will focus on the question “Is Latvia ready to host defence industry manufacturing?”, addressing the challenges and opportunities in the development of defence industry production. The second part will feature the “Defence Investment Pitch”, where new technological solutions in the fields of defence and security will be presented, offering investors the opportunity to discover promising companies with export-ready products and innovations. This session will serve as a practical step towards strengthening Baltic cooperation and enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s defence industry.
More information about the forum’s programme and agenda, as well as registration details, is available at: https://www.kurzemesbiznesaforums.lv/home/
Participation in the event is by prior registration only.
The forum is organised by the Ventspils City Municipality in cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the Kurzeme Planning Region, the Ventspils Freeport Authority, and the Green and Smart Technology Cluster.