Fintech Breakfast – Marketing Strategies and Global Positioning

The first Fintech Breakfast of the season, organized by the Fintech Latvia Association, featured dynamic discussions on Latvia’s fintech development strategy, with a special focus on state marketing and international recognition. Madara Ambrēna from Riga Business School presented early findings from a fintech strategy study, emphasizing Latvia’s potential to become a fintech hub due to favorable legislation and expertise, while underscoring the need for a unified and results-driven strategy.

Kristaps Siliņš, a brand strategist, explored challenges in positioning Latvia as a prominent fintech hub in Europe, advocating for an authentic and relevant narrative. A panel discussion with experts like Marine Krasovska (Latvijas Banka), Ieva Felmena (Business Riga), and Dāvis Darģelis (Latvian Blockchain Association) addressed topics such as regulation, investment, and blockchain potential. Līva Pērkone (TechChill) and practitioners like Anda Asere (labsoflatvia.com) shared practical insights into boosting the global visibility of Latvian fintech companies.

Fintech Breakfast – Regulatory Environment and Infrastructure

The second autumn Fintech Breakfast focused on one of the most critical aspects for the fintech industry: the regulatory environment and infrastructure. This well-attended event included insights from Marine Krasovska, Latvijas Banka, who outlined support mechanisms like the “regulatory sandbox” and SEPA access. Tina Lūse, Managing Director of the Fintech Latvia Association, emphasized the value of these discussions in shaping recommendations for regulatory improvements. A diverse panel featuring industry leaders, including Kristiāns Vunge of the Latvian Blockchain Association and Armands Broks of TWINO, discussed licensing challenges and enhancements, such as bilingual processes and streamlined inter-departmental communication. Hosted by Paynt, this event highlighted collaboration as key to advancing the fintech sector.

Fintech Breakfast – Talent Accessibility in Fintech

The third autumn Fintech Breakfast centered on talent acquisition and retention in the fintech sector, exploring local and international hiring practices and the role of education. Tina Lūse stressed the importance of English as a business language to attract global talent without diminishing Latvian identity. Contributions from Kristīne Dambe, Director of the Baltic Financial Center, and Dr. oec. Māra Pētersone from Riga Technical University spotlighted the synergy between industry and education. Company leaders, including Jeļena Anošina of DelfinGroup and Anna Andersone of StartSchool, shared practical insights into employee development and reskilling.

Thank you to all the participants and to Latvijas Banka and Ministry of Finance for the successful events!