SUBmerge Baltic: state support helps open the door to export markets

SUBmerge Baltic, a Latvian science-based technology (‘deep tech’) start-up, is developing autonomous underwater drones and autonomous control technologies designed for critical infrastructure inspections, port security, hydrography, mine clearance and other complex underwater tasks. The company has already moved from the technology development phase to the commercialisation phase, is collaborating with its first clients in Latvia and abroad, and is developing export projects in Europe, the Middle East and Ukraine. This year, the company is planning to produce 20–30 underwater drones, whilst next year it aims to increase production to around 100 units. 

The support instruments provided by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) has also played a significant role in the company’s development. SUBmerge Baltic has utilised the innovation voucher programme and is participating in the business incubation programme run by the LIAA Technology Representative Office in Riga, as well as regularly taking part in international exhibitions and trade missions. 

With the support of LIAA’s innovation voucher, the company has developed a high-precision underwater physics simulator, which allows the operation of autonomous underwater drones to be tested in a virtual environment even before trials in water. This significantly speeds up software development and allows errors to be identified earlier, reducing development costs and time. “We would have carried out this project even without the support, but it would certainly have taken longer. At that point, this funding was very important for the company, as it enabled the project to recruit additional specialists and reach a finished solution much more quickly,” explains Kārlis Bērziņš, CEO of SUBmerge Baltic. 

Alongside technological development, the company also actively utilises the export opportunities provided by LIAA. In recent years, with LIAA’s support, SUBmerge Baltic has taken part in international exhibitions and trade missions in France, Germany, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere, establishing contacts with potential clients and business partners. “In our business, everything is based on long-term relationships. The results aren’t always immediately apparent, but over time it becomes clear which exhibition or trade mission has yielded significant contacts. In many markets, the state’s presence is also very important – participation in delegations organised by LIAA lends the company additional credibility and makes it easier to establish initial contacts,” Mr Bērziņš says. 

The CEO also views the practical side of the collaboration positively, noting that LIAA’s administrative processes have become considerably simpler in recent years. “Compared with previous experience, bureaucracy has been significantly reduced over the last two years. Communication has become much simpler, and the LIAA team genuinely works with the aim of helping businesses, rather than creating an additional administrative burden. Compared to many other public funding schemes, the amount of paperwork is relatively small, and LIAA takes on several administrative functions itself,” Mr Bērziņš says. 

SUBmerge Baltic also mentions LIAA’s overseas offices as another useful support tool for business development, which assist with contacts and advice on entering a specific market.  “We also regularly collaborate with LIAA representatives in various export markets. Such support is extremely valuable for a company that develops complex technologies whilst operating in the international market. It helps not only to find contacts more quickly, but also to enter into negotiations with potential partners with much greater confidence,” says Mr Bērziņš. 

Information material prepared with the support of the European Regional Development Fund

Photos by Jānis Štāls