Latvian startup SIA “Convershake” develops AI-powered voice agents that autonomously handle customer service and sales calls on behalf of companies, as well as the “Knowledge AI” knowledge platform, which provides voice agents with the information they need and helps call centre operators quickly find answers. The company has clients in the Baltic States, Poland, Romania, Spain, and Mexico, with international expansion as its primary growth focus.
The company’s development has been supported by both private funding, including investment from “Outlast Fund”, and support instruments provided by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA). “Convershake” participates in the incubation programme of LIAA’s Technology Representative Office in Riga and receives support for attracting highly qualified employees under the Law on Aid for the Activities of Start-up Companies. These support instruments have enabled the company to focus fully on product development and international growth.
“We founded the company after already having successful careers at international technology companies. This means giving up a stable job and income to focus entirely on building your own business. Programmes like these help entrepreneurs get through precisely this riskiest stage and focus more on product development rather than their personal finances,” says the company’s co-founder, Emīls Vāvere.
In addition to financial support, the company also highly values the practical involvement of the LIAA team. According to the company’s representatives, from the very first meetings, the team helped them identify the most suitable support programmes, navigate the application process, and receive advice on how different instruments could be used to support the company’s growth.
“Of course, there is bureaucracy, but the benefits far outweigh it. Moreover, the LIAA team has always been responsive and helped us understand how to make the best use of the available support instruments. For us, this cooperation has always been very personal and supportive,” emphasises Emīls Vāvere.
He adds that another significant benefit is the startup community built around LIAA, which provides opportunities to meet other entrepreneurs, share experiences, and learn from one another.
“Frankly, without LIAA’s support, we probably would not be where we are today. These programmes have significantly increased our capital efficiency and enabled us to develop our product much faster and expand into export markets,” says the company’s co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Vitālijs Silins-Ozers.
The programme is financed under Specific Objective 1.2.1 “Strengthening Research and Innovation Capacities and Introducing Advanced Technologies in Enterprises”, Measure 1.2.1.4 “Support for Improving the Technology Transfer System”, of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027.
