Lately, Latvia has been gaining recognition inside Europe’s dual-use innovation panorama, the place cutting-edge applied sciences serve each civilian and defence functions. This yr’s Deep Tech Atelier in Riga, the Baltic area’s premier deep tech convention, spotlighted how native startups are constructing globally related options in sectors like mobility, safety, and simulation.
With defence spending on the rise and European VC investments in defence startups reaching €4.8 billion in 2024 (based on Dealroom), the timing couldn’t be higher. Latvia’s agile, science-driven startups are carving out a distinct segment with scalable applied sciences that may function in each army and business settings, demonstrating not solely engineering ingenuity but in addition strategic foresight.
Twin-use innovation on show
Deep Tech Atelier 2025 featured keynotes and displays centred on the evolving defence-tech ecosystem, notably the combination of AI, autonomous programs and modular design. Attendees from 62 nations explored how innovation is reshaping operational effectivity, nationwide resilience, and worldwide collaboration throughout NATO and the broader European defence community.
One spotlight of the occasion was the signing of a strategic cooperation memorandum between Riga Technical College (RTU), Tallinn College of Know-how (TalTech), and Kaunas College of Know-how (KTU) to strengthen defence and safety analysis within the area.
Mark your calendar! Deep Tech Atelier will return on 14–15 Could 2026. If you happen to’re interested by what’s subsequent in deep tech, it’s an occasion you received’t need to miss. More information here!
5 Latvian startups shaping the way forward for dual-use expertise
From off-road electrical autos and autonomous drones to real looking XR coaching platforms and unmanned floor autos, under you will discover a curation of 5 Latvian firms whose merchandise have at the very least two makes use of!
These applied sciences mirror not solely the businesses’ engineering potential but in addition their flexibility and skill to adapt shortly to the altering wants of the safety atmosphere.
ORUGA: Electrical mobility meets excessive terrain
Oruga, which means “caterpillar” in Spanish, is behind the world’s first electrical tracked motorbike, designed to overcome excessive terrain together with swamps, sand, snow and steep slopes. Initially developed by Latvian scientist Juris Kļava, the patented Oruga Unitrack combines rugged design with sustainable electrical energy, providing a brand new answer for hard-to-reach areas.
CEO Liene Vītola stated:“Potential patrons embody hunters, forest rangers, excessive sports activities fans, individuals who worth innovation and the flexibility to get anyplace shortly and simply. After all, army and rescue providers are additionally very within the Oruga Unitrack.”
The corporate’s journey started in 2023 on the LIAA’s Ignition Occasion, the place a staff of scientists and entrepreneurs joined forces. Only a yr later, Oruga unveiled a full-scale prototype at Deep Tech Atelier 2025. Manufacturing is now underway, with the primary 100 autos anticipated to ship later this yr.
NATRIX: Modular unmanned floor platform
Developed by Brasa Defence Programs in cooperation with the Latvian Nationwide Armed Forces, Natrix is a compact, transportable unmanned floor automobile (UGV) designed for each civilian and army use. Its modular structure helps logistics, reconnaissance, and casualty evacuation duties.
Natrix is outstanding for its modular design and clever navigation system. It operates in three modes: handbook, semi-autonomous (with impediment detection), and autonomous (together with operator monitoring and return-to-base performance). It helps a payload of over 200 kg, reaches speeds of 20 km/h, and communicates through a number of channels, together with 4G/5G, Wi-Fi and radio, masking greater than 5 km.
Work on the platform is continuous by integrating new applied sciences, bettering navigation programs and increasing the platform’s functions. The corporate is planning to broaden the usage of Natrix in each army and civilian working environments, adapting it to totally different duties and operational wants.
BEYRON: Autonomous drone-in-a-box programs
Beyron designs autonomous UAV programs providing steady, intervention-free surveillance. At Deep Tech Atelier 2025, the startup showcased its Drone-in-a-Field platform and the Goal 1200 coaching mannequin.
Beyron drones are notable for his or her light-weight design, weighing lower than 3.6 kg, 35-minute flight time, and quick charging within the docking station (full cost in 40 minutes). They carry a high-resolution 1080p digital camera, a thermal imaging digital camera with three-axis stabilisation, AI object recognition and monitoring performance, in addition to a built-in loudspeaker and a 100 dB siren. The drones additionally carry a robust LED flashlight with a spotlight lens and Picatinny Rail for mounting additional tools.
Purposes span from city safety and mining to frame safety and actual property monitoring.
EXONICUS: XR trauma simulation for subject medics
Based in 2015, Exonicus is a Latvian-U.S. firm that has developed the Exonicus Trauma Simulator™—a physiologically correct medical coaching system delivered through XR headset or desktop. Not like conventional manikins, the simulator responds in actual time to therapy choices, making it ultimate for army and emergency use.
Exonicus works with NATO, the U.S. Military, and European defence our bodies. It featured prominently in NATO’s Vigorous Warrior 2024 workouts and not too long ago launched the Prepared Medic One programme with the Geneva Basis to organize medics for chemical, organic and radiological threats.
In Could 2025, Exonicus secured €85,000 from the Latvian Enterprise Angels Community (LatBAN) to scale its presence in Europe and the U.S.
MOSPHERA: Excessive-performance army e-scooter
Mosphera, developed by World Wolf Motors, is a high-performance, rugged off-road electrical scooter tailor-made for army patrols, reconnaissance, and logistics. With a ten,000 W motor, 100 km/h prime velocity and 300 km vary, it combines efficiency with stealth.
Its foldable, waterproof design (IP66) and 17-inch off-road tyres make it ultimate for tough terrain and covert transport, together with by helicopter. The scooter has already seen profitable deployment with the Ukrainian Armed Forces and can also be suited to civilian sectors like agriculture and port logistics.
Wanting forward
Latvia’s rising dual-use tech ecosystem exemplifies how innovation in small markets can have an outsized international influence. With robust college partnerships, cross-border collaboration, and focused public funding, startups are remodeling defence innovation from area of interest to mainstream.
Occasions like Deep Tech Atelier not solely present a platform for these breakthroughs, however they sign that the Baltics have gotten a critical power in European safety innovation.
Deep Tech Atelier 2025 was the seventh and largest version thus far, drawing over 2,000 contributors from 62 nations. Attendee motivations ranged from networking (46%) and knowledge-building (29%) to trendspotting and sharing experiences.
The following version of the convention will happen on 14-15 Could 2026 in Riga. More information here!
Deep Tech Atelier 2025 was supported by the ERDF tasks “Improvement of Modern Entrepreneurship of SMEs” and “Assist for Enhancing Know-how Switch System,” Latvia’s Ministry of Economics, the Restoration and Resilience Facility, and key cooperation companions—Labs of Latvia, Howdy Tomorrow, Riga Technical College, College of Latvia, Riga TechGirls, the Latvian House Business Affiliation, and the science commercialisation platform Commercialisation Reactor.
The views and opinions expressed are these of Deep Tech Atelier alone and don’t essentially mirror the opinion of the European Union or the European Fee. Neither the European Union nor the European Fee is liable for these views and opinions.
