Gen-E, Europe’s flagship youth entrepreneurship festival organised by JA Europe, will take place this summer in Riga, with organisers expecting it to be the largest edition in the event’s history.
Around 1,200 participants are expected to attend in person, with thousands more reached through live streaming and a coordinated European media campaign. The event brings together the best student companies and university startups from across Europe, following months of national and regional competitions.
Speaking to Politis to the point about the upcoming festival, CEO of JA Latvia is Jānis Krievāns stressed that Gen-E is designed as a statement about what entrepreneurship can mean for society.
“In Latvia, entrepreneurship has often carried a negative image, associated with corruption or unfair wealth. Through Gen-E, we can show that entrepreneurs are talented people who develop real solutions and deserve recognition,” he said.
Examples from previous editions include student-led ventures that have scaled beyond their home countries. One such case, originating in Denmark, developed technology allowing supermarkets to verify whether customers purchasing alcohol are underage. The company has since expanded across Europe and grown from hundreds of thousands to more than one million euros in annual revenue.
This year’s programme will include student company finals, startup showcases, investor sessions, networking activities, and dedicated spaces for teachers. An international teachers’ conference will also run alongside the main event, reflecting Junior Achievement’s emphasis on strengthening educators as a cornerstone of entrepreneurship education.
“When young people see others succeed, they think, ‘If they can do it, maybe I can do it too.’ That message is powerful, and it is why supporting young entrepreneurs matters.”
Gen-E will operate on multiple levels: secondary education, where students compete with mini-companies, and university level, where startups present more advanced ventures. Government representatives, corporate partners, investors, and alumni are also expected to participate, making the festival both a European gathering and a national milestone for Latvia.