VUAS team "PowerUpway" wins 5th place in the "Business Sketches" competition

March 27, 2023

The winners of Swedbank's annual business planning competition "Business Sketches" have been announced. The 5th place in the student team competition went to the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences team "PowerUpway" with a public charging station for smart devices.


The 5th place winner of the student group "PowerUpway" - a VUAS team, offered a public charging station for smart devices. These charging stations consist of ten lockable charging lockers, each of which can charge up to three smart devices. The lockers can be unlocked by payment via an app, bank card or cash. They contain charging cables for iPhone, usb standard and usb-c.


"We've been thinking about this idea for a long time, because we often find ourselves in situations where our phones are running low just when we need them most, for example on a long train journey. We think it would solve a problem for a large part of society, because you could charge your smart device anytime, anywhere, without worrying about whether there is an outlet nearby to charge it. The competition was a great motivation to understand what the next steps are and what the direction of the company is. In the near future, we plan to look for and find ways to attract funding and investors to turn the idea into reality," say Kārlis Freimanis and Edvarts Jasinkēvičs, members of the "PowerUpway" team.

In total, the finalists managed to attract 8548 votes in the last round of the competition, proving the topicality and viability of their business ideas.


"As it happens in business, there were teams that entered the competition with great confidence but lost the lead after the public vote, and there were teams that made a major breakthrough right after the voting round. Every business idea needs to be tested, because what seems relevant and exciting to you will not always be so to potential buyers. But the ideas in the competition were really great, and I hope that the experience will inspire those who did not win prizes this time not to give up, to further develop and improve their idea and find their right target audience," says Reinis Jansons, Head of the Swedbank Institute of Finance.


The best teams will receive cash prizes to develop their business: the 1st place winner in each age group will receive €1500, the 2nd place winner €1000 and the 3rd place winner €500, sharing the prize pool of more than €14,000. The teachers who advise the winning primary and secondary school teams will receive a cash prize of €200 to celebrate their students' success.


In the final round of the competition, five teams in each age group competed, and the young people were tasked with attracting the attention of supporters to their business ideas through a vote-raising campaign. The teams from Jelgava Spīdolas State Gymnasium, Lizums Primary School, Madona State Gymnasium, Riga Centre Humanities Secondary School, Riga State Technical College, RTU Engineering Secondary School, Riga State 1st Gymnasium, Banking University, Riga Technical University, Turiba University, University of Latvia and Ventspils University of Applied Sciences competed in the final round.


This year, for the first time, the competition was open to all who wanted to apply - both teams that already have their own student learning enterprise and business idea, and those who do not yet have one. The turnout was very high: 351 youth teams (1172 participants) from 26 regions of Latvia entered the competition. The most competitive group was the secondary school group - 237 teams; the primary school group - 92 teams; the university group - 22 teams. This year, the business plans were judged by a record jury of 90 Swedbank employees.

The Business Planning Competition "Business Sketches" is organised by Swedbank in cooperation with Riga Technical University, Skola 2030 and the Latvian Students' Association. The competition is divided into three age groups - primary school (grades 7-9), secondary school and university.

Share on other platforms

Other news

Probe Developed by Electronics Engineering Students Carries a Kombucha Can to an Altitude of 30 km

By Rota Rulle • November 8, 2025
Electronics engineering students from Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (VUAS) developed a probe that carried a can of “Rudy’s Kombucha” into near space, reaching an impressive altitude of 28,690 meters – nearly 30 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. While trying to locate the probe afterward, the students encountered major GPS signal disturbances across the Kurzeme region, so they called on radio amateurs for assistance. Working together, they successfully located the probe near Dobele. The space mission probe was equipped with a GoPro camera that captured both the launch and the breathtaking flight. After the controlled explosion of the probe’s balloon at nearly 30 kilometers altitude, a parachute opened, ensuring the can’s safe return to Earth. The probe was launched from Ventspils airfield and, after flying approximately 140 kilometers, landed near Dobele. Jānis Šate, Director of the Electronics Engineering study program at Ventspils University of Applied Sciences, explained: “The company knew that our students develop probes, and they had the idea to attach a beverage can and launch it into space. Technically, it’s more accurate to say it was launched into the stratosphere. We discussed it in August, and within a few months, the electronics engineering students built the probe. It’s a group project in the third year of studies, and this collaboration added extra value. The most challenging part of launching the probe is creating the electronic system attached to the parachute and helium balloon. The balloon rises to about 30 kilometers, where air pressure drops, the balloon bursts, and the probe descends to Earth. Launching it is easy – the hard part is tracking and recovering it afterward. A GPS navigation system is required to continuously transmit the probe’s location. The students’ task was to design an electronic system that can operate in the stratosphere, where temperatures drop to –40°C.” “We coordinated the launch with the Civil Aviation Agency since air traffic is affected, and we also arranged it with Ventspils Airport. Eventually, the probe was found near Dobele, though there were unexpected complications – due to the global situation, GPS communications are regularly disrupted from Königsberg (Kaliningrad, Russia). Unfortunately, we launched on one of those days when signal interference over Kurzeme and the Baltic Sea was particularly strong. That meant that when the probe ascended above ten kilometers, our system showed it was no longer over Kuldīga, but over Kaliningrad. From there, spoofed GPS signals were being transmitted to mislead moving objects.

COLOURS Partners Explore Mental Health and Inclusion at Paderborn, Germany

By Rota Rulle • November 4, 2025
In October, VUAS COLOURS WP5, headed by Lasma Asme, joined other representatives from COLOURS partner universities gathered at Garage33, Paderborn University, Germany, for a dynamic CoLab dedicated to Mental Health, Body Image, and Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). The three-day event, which is part of the COLOURS CoSpace initiative, brought together students, researchers, and staff from across Europe to exchange perspectives and co-create innovative approaches under the smart specialisation area of Health and Well-being. Participants from a very diverse background, under the moderation of Dr Christine Hante-Koch and Dr Alena Diedrich, discussed how issues like body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, anxiety, and depression are closely connected and how promoting a positive body image can make a real difference for people’s health. Using design thinking processes, the group also worked on the importance of creating fair and inclusive support systems that meet the needs of different communities, including women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people facing disabilities, financial struggles, or migration challenges. The participants were divided into 4 groups and had cases ranging from how to deal with women who survived breast cancer, to isolated international students living in other countries, and how to make gamers more active while utilizing their special skills and enlarging their comfort zone. At the end of the event, each group pitched their ideas, solutions, and next steps. These solutions were evaluated and challenged by a panel of experts from multiple disciplines, with the example of Martin Persson, Professor of Health Sciences at Kristianstad University. The CoLab encouraged teamwork, creativity, and cultural exchange. The ideas developed in Paderborn will help shape future COLOURS activities and strengthen collaboration between partner universities committed to building healthier and more inclusive learning environments and society at large.

VUAS receives the “Best Practice University” certificate for high standards in the quality of international studies

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.

Erasmus Days at VUAS: A Celebration of International Collaboration

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

Language Café Returns for Round Two

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!

VUAS representative strengthens cooperation with Le Mans University in France

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.
Other news