Krišs Pujats: Why Latvia Has Half as Many Startups as Lithuania?

Latvia lags significantly behind its Baltic neighbors in the startup ecosystem, boasting only 569 active startups compared to Lithuania's 1100 and Estonia's 1324, according to the "Latvian Startup Ecosystem Review 2025" by Startin.LV.

This stark difference points to Latvia's primary challenge: a low rate of ideas successfully transitioning into functioning businesses. While the country has no shortage of innovative concepts or interest in the startup scene, the journey from conception to the first real operational steps proves difficult.

Experts suggest that showcasing successful examples, sharing practical experience, and establishing understandable regulations are key to bridging this gap. These elements are crucial for encouraging more nascent ideas to flourish into viable companies, thereby strengthening Latvia's position in the competitive Baltic startup landscape.