“OsteoWood” Project Gains International Recognition at the “Deep Tech Atelier 2026” Startup Pitch Competition Finals

The OsteoWood project advanced to the finals of the international Deep Tech Startup Pitch Competition 2026, held as part of Deep Tech Atelier 2026 – the largest deep tech conference in the Baltics. The project competed in the MedTech category and received the EuroQuity Visibility & Pitching Package award.

The project was presented at the competition by OsteoWood co-founder and Leading Researcher at the Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, Laura Andže. The project is being developed by an interdisciplinary team that also includes Mārtiņš Andžs, Vadims Ņefjodovs, Antons Sizovs and Sigvards Krongorns, combining expertise in materials science, biomaterials development, engineering, health technologies and innovation development.

What is “OsteoWood”?

The project is being developed within the BioPhoT platform and focuses on the development of an innovative birch wood-based material for bone fixation. The technology has been designed as an alternative to traditional metal implants, which are often significantly stiffer than bone itself. When an implant bears the entire load, the healing bone becomes less mechanically stimulated, weaker and gradually loses its natural load-bearing function. OsteoWood aims to create implants that share the load with the bone, allowing it to heal in a more natural way.

Among the Top Ten Finalists

Competition at this year’s event was particularly intense. A total of 35 technology teams from various countries participated in the semi-finals, and only ten teams advanced to the finals. Notably, only three teams from Latvia reached the final stage, and OsteoWood was one of them.

The competition took place as part of an intensive multi-day programme that included pitch training sessions, meetings with industry representatives and extensive networking opportunities within the international deep tech ecosystem. A particularly valuable experience for the team was the opportunity to present the idea to an international audience and receive insightful feedback from investors and innovation experts.

“Although the competition was very strong, one of the most valuable experiences was talking to people who had never heard about our project before, yet showed genuine interest, asked thoughtful questions and wanted to learn more. It gave us additional motivation to continue developing the project,” says OsteoWood co-founder Laura Andže.

The EuroQuity Visibility & Pitching Package award serves as an important recognition of the audience’s and investors’ interest in the project’s potential and its possible applications in the medical sector.

About “Deep Tech Atelier”

Deep Tech Atelier is the largest deep tech conference in the Baltics, held annually in Riga. Organised by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), the event brings together scientists, technology entrepreneurs, startups, investors and policymakers from various countries, promoting innovation commercialisation and the growth of the deep tech ecosystem in the region.

 

Photo: Krists Luhaers/LIAA

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