Students of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences attend an entrepreneurship camp in Cambridge

October 3, 2022

Anna Fiļipenoka and Dāvids Biķernieks are 3rd year students at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences bachelor study programme "Start-Up Management", who spent 5 days in Cambridge in August this year. There they had the opportunity to gain a lot of new knowledge, see several interesting sites, but most importantly understand how sustainable their business idea is. The camp was organised by "CONNECT Latvija" in collaboration with partners including Ventspils University of Applied Sciences and their aime is to encourage young people to develop their business ideas. 


Why did you apply?

We were encouraged to apply for this entrepreneurship camp by our programme mentor Gvido Grīnbergs, who explained that this would be a great opportunity to meet new people and gain knowledge through various lectures. Before applying, we had also just recently started working on our business idea in the incubator, so it seemed particularly appropriate to participate in this kind of event. The application process was very simple - we had to write a motivation letter and then we just had to wait for a reply that we were approved.

The camp took place from 22nd to 27th August, from Monday to Saturday. We also had the opportunity to go on a short trip to London before the event.


What project are you working on at the business incubator?

The idea is mainly about and around corporate sustainability, specifically among employees. We wanted to create an app with a reward system to motivate employees to make sustainable choices. Since we had the idea, we saw this camp as an opportunity to develop it.


What did you like best about this camp?

It should definitely be noted that all costs were covered by the university, which was really amazing!

What we really liked was that it was a great opportunity to network with a variety of great people from very different fields – from web developers to people who talk about copywriting. There were representatives from venture capital, various investors, business people and social entrepreneurs. As an example, the head of ZNotes, who is from Cambridge himself, talked about how his business has grown from an idea and a website where he made notes of school subjects to a huge non profit company with 14 000 monthly users. 

The various excursions were also great, for example to the incubator, where it was inspiring to hear how ideas are created there, and Anna's favourite excursion to the electric car charging station Gridserve is definitely worth mentioning. This electric car charging station was special because it was the first of its kind in the world where solar panels are positioned both upwards towards the sun and downwards also picking up the headlights of cars and converting them into energy. If that was not enough, the station also had offices of all kinds, a children's corner and a café, so that people could spend their time productively while waiting for their cars to be recharged. This was a great example of how to create a useful place for different communities in the middle of nowhere. It is a station with added value.


What did you take home from this event?

Anna: I was very inspired by the academic ecosystem in Cambridge. It was very interesting to see how things work there and how studies are run in such a place. It was also a chance to learn that the University of Cambridge is actually made up of several colleges that together make up this ecosystem.

David: The main thing I took away was just realising how important networking is. Although this was not my first event where I needed to network, it was only at this camp that I realised how wide networks can be and how important it can be in life to know more people, because they can help you with different challenges in the future and by working together you can achieve more.


Would you inspire others to apply?

Absolutely, especially those who are interested in the UK and its culture as well as entrepreneurship. You will get to know a lot of people, not only from your camp group but also from outside. And you'll have a great opportunity to test the sustainability of your idea. There is the chance to get feedback from investors, different perspectives and great ideas from different angles. We had this great opportunity to hear one investor's perspective on our business idea, during which she revealed how she, as an investor, chooses where to invest, which is why we realised that our idea is viable and we are now working on the technical side of it.


Share on other platforms

Other news

By Rota Rulle October 29, 2025
Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) has been recognized as one of 16 higher education institutions in Latvia to receive the “Best Practice University” award from the Study in Latvia initiative. This certificate confirms that the university meets the criteria set by the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of the Interior, ensuring responsible admission of international students and a high-quality study process. With this Agreement, the VUAS have undertaken to comply with the criteria and principles of the Agreement fostering good practice in attracting international students and ensuring the delivery of a high-quality study process. VUAS promises to observe good faith and ethical principles, providing only true information in marketing activities and advertising campaigns for international students.
By Rota Rulle October 28, 2025
On October 22, Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) joined the international celebration of “Erasmus Days”, bringing students and staff together for an afternoon filled with creativity, teamwork, and cultural exchange. The event was organized by two students of VUAS with the help of international office and “COLOURS”, featuring engaging activities and friendly competition across a series of interactive stations. Each station offered a unique challenge inspired by the theme of cultural diversity, encouraging participants to test their knowledge, communication skills, and creativity while earning points for their teams. Guided by enthusiastic station leaders and coordinated by the two main event organizers, the atmosphere was both energetic and welcoming. Students from different study programs and cultural backgrounds had the opportunity to connect, work together, and learn from one another in a relaxed and engaging environment. Throughout the event, participants enjoyed refreshments and snacks, as well as a live performance from the band “Sweet Sixteen.” The music, laughter, and friendly competition made for a memorable afternoon celebrating the spirit of “Erasmus +” openness, inclusion, and intercultural understanding. At the end of the activities, all teams received prizes in recognition of their efforts, with the winning team taking home exclusive VUAS merchandise. “Erasmus Days” once again highlighted the value of collaboration and student mobility, reminding everyone that learning extends far beyond the classroom, it thrives through shared experiences and cultural exchange and making new connections. Photos: Endijs Eihlers
By Rota Rulle October 24, 2025
After a fantastic first edition, our Language Café is back and better than ever! If you missed it the first time, this is your chance to join the friendliest crew of language lovers on the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences campus. Expect good vibes, new words, and plenty of laughter as we meet again at D0 (Lounge Room) on 29th October 2025 at 16:30. Whether you’re a returning participant or a first-timer, everyone is welcome! So dust off your sense of humour, clear your schedule, and widen your comfort zone. Bring a friend, roommate, coursemate, and of course, your favourite snack – and let’s make language learning fun again!
By Rota Rulle October 22, 2025
In September, Lilita Sproģe, Head of the Doctoral School at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, went on a business trip to Le Mans University in France to discuss opportunities for creating a joint internship project for doctoral students and developing cooperation in providing doctoral study courses, research, and student mobility. The meeting was organized by COLOURS project partners at the Le Mans University. The day's program included several meetings with representatives of Le Mans University, including Christine Gonzalez, Deputy Director of the EDGE Doctoral School and Lecturer and Researcher at the Faculty of Management and Economics, Geoffroy Martin, Administrative Director of the Doctoral School, Selin Duhan, Head of the International Relations Office, Xavier Lachazette, Vice President of International Relations, and Miloš Borozan, former COLOURS WP3 Manager. During her visit, L. Sproģe familiarized herself with the language faculty and doctoral student workspaces, as well as the research infrastructure on the university campus. Le Mans University is closely integrated into the city structure and easily accessible by public transport from Paris and Le Mans itself. The talks covered key differences between Latvian and French doctoral school models and regulatory frameworks, credit point accounting principles, promotion procedures, and deadlines for completing doctoral theses. The meeting resulted in a strengthened mutual interest in further cooperation in the development of joint doctoral activities and research in the fields of linguistics and economics.
By Rota Rulle October 16, 2025
On September 30, 2025, the first Language Café organized by the COLOURS Project was held at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. The event gathered international and local students in a relaxed and informal environment to practice languages (Mainly Latvian Language for now), exchange cultures, and foster connections across study programs. The event took place at student lounge, bringing together students from more than 6 different nationalities and speakers of a wide variety of languages, including English, Latvian, French, German, and Russian. The Language Cafe was designed to support student integration and intercultural communication, two key focus areas of COLOURS. During the event, participants engaged in small-group conversations guided by Lasma Asme, the EDI coordinator. The atmosphere was lively and inclusive, with background music by Liva Slesare, allowing students to gain confidence in speaking while enjoying snacks and refreshments prepared by the EDI coordinator. “The participation from both Latvian and international students exceeded our expectations,” commented Janvier Dylan, COLOURS representative and International student “It was inspiring to see how open and engaged everyone was, especially how many Latvian students were eager to communicate and connect across cultures. The energy and motivation to continue this kind of event were remarkable.” The event concluded with students dividing into small groups, where Latvian participants taught international students common words and phrases useful for everyday communication. This interactive exchange created a lively and friendly atmosphere that encouraged mutual learning. The session ended with an open discussion about future activities, during which students shared creative ideas for how upcoming café meetings could look. Many also expressed interest in volunteering and helping to organise the next events, highlighting their motivation to make the Language Cafe a regular and sustainable part of campus life the organisers noted that the success of the first Language Café demonstrates the importance of creating spaces that encourage communication, collaboration, and cultural exchange beyond the classroom. The next Language Café is planned for 29th October 2025, and all VeA students, international and local, are welcome to join.
By Rota Rulle October 15, 2025
Ventspils University of Applied Sciences invites students, staff, and the community to join Erasmus Days 2025 on October 22nd at 5:00 PM in the Lounge Room (D0) for an unforgettable evening of fun, culture, and connection. The event will feature a variety of interactive stations and activities, offering everyone a chance to test their knowledge, explore new cultures, and win exciting prizes. Whether you’re an Erasmus+ participant, an international student, or simply curious about global exchange, this celebration is the perfect opportunity to learn, engage, and connect. To keep the energy high, the evening will include snacks, live music, and plenty of good vibes – all in the spirit of bringing people together from across the world. Don’t miss your chance to celebrate Erasmus Days 2025 with us! Come share the Erasmus spirit, make new friends, and experience the joy of international exchange.
Other news