Unlock your business potential and embark on a transformative journey towards growth
Program provides a structured journey for small and medium enterprises to initiate and advance their innovation capabilities, regardless of their current experience level. From foundational understanding to advanced product development, we equip you with the knowledge and tools to thrive in today's dynamic market.
- Start at any level: Our program caters to all, from zero experience to those seeking advanced product innovation.
- Learn practical skills: Benefit from expert-led workshops and mentor support for immediate business application.
- Achieve real growth: Drive efficiency, develop new offerings, and gain a competitive market advantage.
- Join a supportive network: Connect with experts and peers for collaboration and ongoing innovation support.
New concept in 2025
Growth program this year has new concept, which consists of 3 levels:
Impulse – meant for everyone who wants to grow and learn more. Whether you are just starting out in business or already actively involved, this is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge. Could be used as first step into full participation in Growth program levels Power and Energy. Application always available.
Power – company wants to improve internal processes, increase effectiveness and/or digitalize some parts of business. 20 companies will be selected from all applicants to participate in this stage. Application open until 7th of September.
Energy – company wants to build new products, enter new markets and/or move to exporting existing good. 20 companies will be selected from all applicants to participate in this stage. Application open until 7th of September.
Choose the most suitable level for your business needs
Choose the Impulse level if you are just starting out in business or already actively involved, this is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge. Select the Power level if your focus is on improving and transforming internal processes within your company. Opt for the Energy level if you're ready to launch a new product or take your business to international markets through exporting.
Impulse
Included in the program:
- Innovation audit
- Access to innovation related video lectures
- RTU LIFT courses – possibility to receive 50-100% financial support to attend LIFT courses
- RESIST project learning materials – free of charge access to social entrepreneurship courses
- Quarterly meetings – showcasing new opportunities, networking with mentors, and sharing experiences.
- Community Whatsapp chat – access to information about growth possibilities, finances and other business support activities.
Power
Included in program:
- Access to Zero level content
- Video materials and workshops on:
- Lean & Agile
- Digitalization
- Automatization
- Financial review - Face to face workshops
- Individual mentoring
- Closed community through Whatsapp group
- Speed dating with industry experts
Energy
Included in program:
- Access to Zero level content
- Video materials and workshops:
- Ideation & Prototyping
- Sales & Marketing
- Intellectual property & Patent
- Funding & Export - Face to face workshops
- Individual mentoring
- Closed community through Whatsapp group
- Speed dating with industry experts
Timeline:
Level – Impulse:
- Application process always on, always available
Level – Power:
- Application process available until 7th of September
- Workshops October - Lean & Agile (9.oct), Digitalization (23.oct)
- Workshops November – Automatization (6.nov), Financial review (20.nov)
- Closing event 1st week of December
Level – Energy:
- Application process available until 7th of September
- Workshops October - Ideation & Prototyping (16.oct), Sales & marketing (30.oct)
- Workshops November - Intellectual property & patent (13.nov), Funding & Export (27.nov)
- Closing event 1st week of December
Programme managers
Ance Āboliņa - SEB Innovation lead
Ance has been part of the SEB bank team for 8 years. She began her professional journey at the bank as a Sales Support Manager, with a strong focus on the youth segment and providing sales support to branches and the Customer Centre. During this time, Ance also led several campaigns and internal communication initiatives. Since 2023, Ance has held the position of Innovation Manager. She has completed the Design Driven Ideation program at SSE Executive Education in Sweden. Currently, Ance leads research projects in the SME segment and is responsible for implementing the Growth Program for small and medium-sized enterprises in Latvia. In addition to her work at the bank, she is actively involved in mentoring – serving as a mentor in the inHabit entrepreneurship program, the Future Heroes girls’ leadership initiative, and also volunteering as a mentor for Mentor Latvia in her free time.
PhD Elīna Miķelsone - Head of RTU Design Factory
All areas of Elīnas life are connected to innovation and idea management - on academic, professional, and personal levels. She regularly updates her knowledge in the field of innovation through studies at foreign universities. She is the Director of LtD. “Idea Innovation Institute” and an Associate Professor at the BA School of Business and Finance. She delivers lectures, guest lectures, and seminars on innovation, project management, and creativity in academic institutions such as RTU, BA School of Business and Finance, RSU, RISEBA, and BVK. Since 2015, she has been working as an idea and innovation consultant. The active innovation training program she developed, “Idea Fitness”, has been adopted by various companies, including TELE2, Tet, Evolution Gaming, Circle K, and others. Over the past four years, she has consulted more than 400 existing and aspiring entrepreneurs on innovation-related matters. She is also an expert for the Latvian Council of Science.
In collaboration with
RTU Science and Innovation Center Design Factory and SEB are partners for this year's Growth program. RTU is a modern, internationally renowned and prestigious multidisciplinary technical university, the only one of its kind in Latvia. RTU offers a comprehensive education in high technology and engineering, as well as in the social sciences and humanities. RTU is based on science, innovation and cooperation with industry, ensuring the development of specialties essential for the Latvian economy and supporting the country's sustainable growth.
Growth Program's goal is to foster innovation and collaboration. Also the program aims to be present at the birth of companies' plans and support the realization of grand ideas and concepts. The program has already been implemented 9 times. SEB is the only bank in Latvia offering such a program to entrepreneurs. Similarly, SEB offices in Estonia and Lithuania also offer the Growth Program to their companies.
Participants' stories
FAQ
During candidate's selection to participate in the program, SEB keeps the right to give first-hand to own customers, however, it is not mandatory to be a SEB client to be invited to participate in the program.
The company's participation cost in the Growth Program is covered by SEB.
When participating in the Growth Program, keep in mind that each team member representing the business will need to devote approximately 8 hours per week to it.
Need advice on the program?
Contact our Innovation Manager Ance Abolina by e-mail: ance.abolina@seb.lv
