Call for applications for the annual Social Entrepreneurship pitch competition
Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia in cooperation with Luminor bank keeps their tradition and organises the Social Entrepreneurship pitch or presentation competition ”Let the good ideas grow 2025”. The aim of the competition is to promote the development of existing social enterprises and new social entrepreneurship ideas as well as to share the ideas across Latvia. This year the total prize fund – funding to implement a social business idea or develop an organisation – is €8 000. The participation in the competition is free of charge and the application is open until 19 September.
The competition is open to existing and emerging social entrepreneurs from all over Latvia. They can be companies with or without social enterprise status, associations and foundations that need funding to implement a new idea or an existing project. In addition individuals who are still cherishing their social entrepreneurship idea and looking for start-up funding can also apply. The main aspect for eligibility is that an organisation or business idea fits the essence and definition of social entrepreneurship – producing goods or services to solve a social problem and benefit society.
“The cash prize is not the only benefit of the competition – every year participants confirm how valuable it has been to learn presentation and public speaking skills, gain strong public visibility, and most importantly – join the social entrepreneurship community, where they can connect and build business collaborations with other social entrepreneurs. This year the competition also has thematic focuses – in the finals, special prizes will be awarded to existing and aspiring social enterprises whose products or services represent social innovation, or address sustainability challenges,” says Regita Zeiļa, Director of the Social Entrepreneurship Association of Latvia.
“Ideas and good deeds never stop – we are delighted to support this important social entrepreneurship initiative for several years in a row. The pitch competition not only helps the wider society, but also allows entrepreneurs themselves to look at their business ideas from a broader perspective, with significant added value. Every year we see pressing social issues that these entrepreneurs and idea authors are ready to address and improve. We are proud of the determined people of Latvia who want to set in motion processes that may not have previously received the attention they deserve,” emphasizes Gita Juršāne, Deputy Head of Luminor Bank’s Latvian Branch.
The competition takes place in three rounds. To apply, participants must read the regulations and complete the electronic application form. The 25 strongest ideas will be selected for the second round, where their authors will take part in training sessions and learn the art of pitching. The competition final will be held on October 16 in Riga, where ten finalists will take the stage and present their ideas in five minutes to the jury and to live-stream viewers across Latvia, who will also have the opportunity to vote for their favorite. The live broadcast will be available on the news portal Delfi.lv.
In the finals two participants will each receive a cash prize of EUR 4,000. The winners will be determined by the jury and the live-stream audience vote.
This year, one initiative in the competition final will also receive a special award from Latvia’s leading news media “Delfi”. This means not only recognition but also the opportunity to share their story more widely through Delfi’s channels.
The “Let the Good Things Ideas Grow” pitch competition is taking place for the eighth year. Last year it received 92 applications, and the winner of the final was the association “Tavi draugi”, with an idea to refurbish unusable donated items and rent them out as equipment. The audience vote winner was the creative sustainability platform “Bourzma”, with the idea to establish a textile upcycling workshop for sustainable clothing production.
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The goal of the “Let the Good Things Ideas Grow” competition is to promote the development of existing social enterprises and new social entrepreneurship ideas, as well as to showcase these ideas to the whole of Latvia. The main partner of the competition is Luminor Bank. The event is supported by the charity shop network Otrā elpa, the news media Delfi, and the Development Finance Institution Altum, co-financing the competition from European Union funds – European Social Fund Plus project No. 4.3.3.3/1/24/I/001 “Support for Social Entrepreneurship.”
For additional information:
Līga Ivanova
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📞 +371 26464686