Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): Technology Startup Course

Ventspils Univeristy of Applied Sciences

Inženieru iela 101, Ventspils, LV-3601, Latvija

MAY 5 – MAY 29, 2025

Online: Weekly virtual sessions on May 5, May 12, and May 19, 2026

On site: May 25 - May 29, 2026

Objectives and Description

Digital Innovation Through AI is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) designed to equip students with practical skills in digitalization, innovation and artificial intelligence–driven product development. This programme shifts the focus toward AI-powered platforms, tools and applications that create value for organisations and users in the digital economy.

Participants will experience a full innovation journey: from identifying real-world problems that can be addressed with AI, through experimentation and rapid prototyping, to developing investor-ready concepts. Through a combination of virtual training sessions and an on-site bootcamp in Ventspils, students will work in international teams to:

design AI-based solutions,
build functional prototypes using contemporary AI tools and frameworks,
test these prototypes with real users or stakeholders, and
pitch their solutions to investors, mentors and industry partners.

The programme strongly emphasises learning by experimenting, innovation management and sprint-style teamwork.

This Technology Startup Course is worth 5 ECTS

Methods

The BIP follows a structured, fast-paced learning approach with expert mentorship, interactive workshops and real-world challenges in the field of AI and digital innovation.

Team-Based Digital Innovation

Students work in international, multidisciplinary teams to develop AI-powered solutions to real challenges (e.g. process automation, smart assistants, analytics dashboards, recommendation tools).

Experimentation-Driven Learning

Inspired by study courses such as “Developing by Experimenting” and “Innovation Week”, teams run short, focused experiments (problem interviews, prototype tests, prompt iterations, A/B tests) to validate assumptions about users, data and technology.

AI Prototyping and

No/Low-Code Tools

Participants explore how to combine generative AI, APIs and no/low-code platforms to build working prototypes (chatbots, AI copilots, recommendation engines, internal tools, etc.) within a very short time frame.

Innovation Management and Business Design

Guided by principles from the study course “Innovation Management”, students structure their concepts in terms of value proposition, stakeholder benefits, feasibility, risks, data needs and sustainable business models.

Expert Mentoring

Teams receive guidance from AI practitioners, digitalization experts, entrepreneurs and innovation coaches on both technical and business aspects.

Pitch and Storytelling Training

Participants learn how to communicate complex AI solutions clearly to investors and non-technical stakeholders, focusing on problem–solution fit, impact and viability.

Practical Challenge

Each team must build a functional AI-enabled MVP (Minimum Viable Product) (prototype, demo or workflow) and validate it with real feedback (e.g. at least 5 test users or one real organisational use case) before the final investor-style pitch event.

Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants will have:

Hands-on experience in designing, building and validating AI-based digital solutions.

A practical understanding of how to combine AI tools, data and user insights to create meaningful innovations

Improved skills in innovation management, experimentation and digital product development.

Enhanced abilities in teamwork, communication and leadership in an international, interdisciplinary context.

A ready-to-present investor pitch and AI prototype, plus valuable feedback from mentors and external experts.

Expanded professional networks with peers, mentors, investors and innovation ecosystem partners in Ventspils and beyond.

Virtual Component

Online Meetings: Weekly virtual sessions on May 5, May 12, and May 19, 2026

Virtual Component Description:

The virtual phase prepares participants for the in-person bootcamp and ensures that teams arrive in Ventspils with a clear AI challenge and initial concept. During these weekly online meetings, participants will:

Weeks 1-3

Remote

Weekly virtual sessions

on May 5, May 12, and May 19, 2026

Explore AI Opportunities: Gain a short introduction to current AI capabilities (e.g. large language models, image generation, process automation) and identify meaningful problem areas where AI can add value.
Form International Teams and Define Challenges: Students are grouped into mixed teams and select a specific challenge (e.g. optimising a business process, improving customer experience, supporting decision-making with data).
Develop Initial Concepts: Teams sketch early solution ideas (e.g. “AI assistant for…”, “smart dashboard for…”), define target users, collect initial requirements and formulate hypotheses.
Experiment with Tools: Guided by short demonstrations, participants try out selected AI tools and platforms (no/low-code builders, API-based services, prototyping tools) to understand possibilities and constraints.
Plan Experiments for the Bootcamp: Each team outlines what they want to test during the physical phase: user interviews, prototype tests, data sources, KPIs and success metrics.

The virtual sessions ensure that when students arrive in Ventspils they already have defined challenges, initial ideas and a basic understanding of relevant AI tools, so the bootcamp can focus on prototyping, experimentation and preparing investor-ready pitches.

Physical Component

On-site dates: May 25 - May 29, 2026

Location: Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, Latvia

The on-site bootcamp is the core experience of Digital Innovation Through AI, designed to push teams towards rapid progress, real-world validation and professional networking. Across five intensive days, participants will refine their AI ideas, iterate prototypes and develop compelling business and impact narratives under expert supervision.

Week 4

In-Person Bootcamp

May 25 – MAY 29

Key activities during the physical component:

Day 1 - Team Building and AI Opportunity Framing:

Welcome, introduction to Ventspils University and the local innovation ecosystem.
Icebreakers and team-building activities.
Review of progress from the virtual phase: challenge definition, assumptions and early ideas.
Deep dive into user needs, data sources and AI feasibility for each project.
Teams set clear goals and experiment plans for the week (what to build, what to test, what decision they want to reach by Friday).

Day 2 - Data, Design and First Prototypes:

Short workshops on data, prompt design, user journeys and interface concepts.
Teams refine their solution concepts and design the first working AI interactions (e.g. conversation flows, recommendation logic, automation steps).
Initial prototype building using selected tools (LLM-based assistants, automations, dashboards, etc.).
Mentor check-ins to review technical feasibility, ethical considerations and user value.

Day 3 - AI Prototyping and Experimentation

Focused prototyping sessions:
integrating AI components into simple interfaces,
connecting to data sources where possible,
designing realistic demo flows for investors and users.
Testing prototypes with other students, mentors or external stakeholders; collecting feedback.
Short inputs on responsible/ethical AI, bias, transparency and data protection.
End-of-day review: teams adapt their concepts based on experiment results.

Day 4 - Business Model, Impact and Investor Story

Workshops on innovation management and value creation with AI:
who pays, who benefits, what changes in the organisation, what risks exist.
Teams work on:
a clear value proposition,
basic business/impact model,
risk and feasibility assessment (including data and technical constraints),
a compelling investor narrative (problem–solution, traction, roadmap).
Pitch training and rehearsal with feedback from mentors and, where possible, invited investors.

Day 5 - AI Demo Day and Networking

Final Demo Day each team presents:
their AI concept and prototype,
key experiment results and user feedback,
their proposed business and implementation model.
Pitches are delivered to a panel of investors, mentors, industry representatives and university stakeholders, with structured Q&A and feedback.
Awards or special mentions may be given (e.g. “Most Impactful AI Solution”, “Best Technical Prototype”, “Strongest Investor Case”).
Closing reflection session: what students learned about AI, innovation and themselves; discussion of next steps for projects with real potential.

Beyond the structured sessions, the bootcamp includes networking events, mentoring slots and informal meetups, enabling participants to build international connections and explore further collaboration opportunities in the field of AI and digital innovation.

Why This Program is Different

Intensive, Fast-Paced Environment

This isn’t just another startup program.

It’s a high-intensity experience designed to

push you to the limit

Extreme Hustling Week

The final week is a pressure-cooker

environment where you’ll refine, iterate, and sell

Real-World Results

The goal is simple –

5 paying customers by Demo Day

Who can apply

Participants: Bachelor and Master’s students preferably from IT and Technology studies interested in technology, entrepreneurship, and business innovation. Business related students will also be reviewed.
Staff Mobility: Staff can participate within Erasmus+ programme for experience.

Get Ready to Hustle!

If you’re ready to build, validate, and launch a digital startup in just 4 weeks, this program is for you. You’ll learn from the best, hustle alongside driven teammates, and get real-world results.

Are you ready to hustle harder than ever before? Apply now and turn your ideas into reality!

Click this button to APPLY