Latvian IT Ccluster
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The Latvian ICT sector has experienced annual export growth of 30% and a 10% annual increase in the number of ICT companies. Latvia has an excellent ICT infrastructure including 1 Gbps fiber optic speeds, the fastest broadband in Europe. The country has 11 universities that offer IT education programs and produces graduates that win medals in international IT competitions. The Latvian IT Cluster, founded in 2007, works to promote export and internationalization, facilitate cross-industry collaboration through initiatives like The Obvious Selection, and operates the Riga IT Demo Centre to showcase local ICT companies. Through trade missions and events like those held during Latvia's EU presidency, the Cluster helps its member companies gain recognition and pursue opportunities abroad.
Latvian IT Ccluster
- 2. Latvian ICT sector ICT Export annual growth 30% Number of ICT companies growing by ~10% each year ICT Industry as one of government priorities
- 3. Excellent ICT environment Renowned routers, ISP systems and point-to-point microwave data transmission technologies 1 Gbit/s fiber optic network speed; fastest broadband in Europe, one of the fastest in the world; #7 lowest broadband costs in the world Secure data centers, located 12m underground and featuring TIER3 security Riga – European WiFi Capital
- 4. Excellent knowledge and skills 11 universities around all reagions of Latvia have IT education programms; more colleges and proffesional programs Gold medals in International IT Olympiads Highly multi-lingual population Strong e-skill, life-learning and senior education initiatives Active digital users EU Top 4 users of video calls and top 6 users of ibanks
- 5. ... but on the other hand...
- 6. Latvian IT Cluster • NGO, 35 member companies • First initiatives started 2000, legal entity founded 2007. – Available funds – Facing EU • Part of Latvian Information and communications technology association • External funding attraction & comperatively high membership fees – Interreg – H2020 – Cosme • Government support for clusters: – 2012-2015 – 2017-
- 7. paEi Paei PaEi pAEi - - E - P – production A – administration E – entreprenourship I - integration PAEi Adizes Corporate Lifecycle model
- 8. Cluster Vision Effective partner for initiatives and activities that are focused on Latvian Information and Communication Technologies sector development and on increasing international competitiveness. 8
- 9. Working principles Clear focus, services & rules Focus on creating the business value for members Building community and encouraging cooperation Regular meetups Regular communication Information hub and bridge to related governmental or international institutions
- 10. IT Cluster focus Export and internationalization Cross – industry collaboration Riga IT Democentre
- 11. Organization/Administration of Trade Missions Organization of trade missions and project administration for the Cluster members 2015 (Support program by Latvian Investment and Development Agency): • 59 individual visits and 12 trade missions • IT cluster members recovered ~ € 400,000 • All submitted projects were approved 2016: • ~20 trade missions planned • Several projects – local and internation signed to get external financing for export development
- 12. Cross industry collaboration – «The Obvious Selection» initiative • 2015 as PR campaign initiated by 8 IT companies • Help Latvian SMEs to rise the digital competency and demonstrate ICT role to improve efficiency and competetiveness • 6 DEMO enterprises – SMEs that are ready to implement ICT solutions and share the experience and business results To implement new customer service workflow and increase share of electronic document exchange, incl. electronically signed. First reportable results after 6m: • 100% trained and equipped personnel • Number of electronically provided services increased by 5%
- 13. Cross industry collaboration – «The Obvious Selection» initiative • To be continued with – Cross-industry workshops to promote ICT usage, discuss problems and share experience • Cluster cooperation • Set workshop goals for mutual benefit • Moderation – International consortiums and projects to finance further
- 14. Key Learnings • Unknown unknowns • SMEs are too busy of doing things wrong than learning how to do it efficiently • Leave IT for IT-people • Willing to adopt solutions, but don’t realize that the implementation process will take time and resources • PR of small and good news is less demanded
- 15. Riga IT Democentre • 2013 – IT marketing platform – support for companies – Pre-arranged visits only • 2015 – Open for everyone – EU presidency
- 16. Riga IT Demo Centre 16 Inspire Educate Promote
- 17. Media events
- 18. Latvia Presidency in the EU Council • 2015 H1 • More than 2,500 foreign visitors & ~150 events: – Conferences & assemblies – Informal political, expert and high level meetings • IT – the only industry represented
- 19. Inviting vice chair of the Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection of EP, HE Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands, Austrian State Secretary and many more...
- 20. Arranged guided tours for 150+ diplomats from all EU countries
- 21. Demonstrations during conferences, meetings and sessions
- 22. Case study - Catchbox • The world’s first throwable wireless microphone Educate: School/student groups Inspire: Workshop with innovation bootcamp Promote Using during conferences and presenting to business delegations
- 23. IT Cluster and Riga IT Democentre members
- 24. Key Learnings • Clear cluster focus & strategy helps to attract new, dedicated members, increase activity and gain industry and cross-industry attention • Even small organization can represent industry and achieve high recognition • Government support is essential, but it cannot be the sole purpose for organizing the cluster • Clusters can advocate business needs, but still stay «neutral»
- 25. Thank you! Latvian IT Cluster – promoting Latvian IT industry www.itbaltic.com www.rigaitdemocentre.com Aiga Irmeja Executive director Latvian IT Cluster aiga.irmeja@itbaltic.com
Editor's Notes
- #17: Industry representative «showroom» exposition of industry best practice and success stories the donor of reputation and awareness the place for the demonstration of your solutions to foreign delegations event management and networking platform for communication with academia, government and society
- #22: Konkurētspējas ministru neformālā sanāksme