“Design Tree” is a Latvian mechanical engineering company that develops custom manufacturing equipment and automation solutions for businesses with specific needs. Its clients include well-known Latvian companies such as Balticovo, Primekss and Rūdolfs. At the same time, the company is placing increasing focus on exports to Northern and Central European markets and predicts that this year could become the first in which it reaches a turnover of one million euros.
Cooperation with Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA) has played an important role in the company’s development. “Design Tree” began using support instruments already at the start of its operations by joining the business incubation programme at the LIAA representative office in Sigulda, which helped the company purchase its first equipment and design software. Later, the company also used export support and international exhibition programmes that helped establish contacts in foreign markets.
“At the beginning of the company’s operations, this kind of support was very significant for us because it allowed us to acquire our first work equipment and professional software. It gave us the necessary push to move from an idea to a real business and continue growing,” says the company’s manager, Matīss Irbe.
The company joined the incubation programme twice, with the second participation focusing on exports and participation in international exhibitions. Matīss Irbe emphasises that most foreign projects began precisely through contacts gained at exhibitions, and without state support participation in such events during the company’s early years would have been significantly more difficult.
“For a small company, international exhibitions are one of the most effective ways to reach real clients abroad. Most of our export partnerships started there. Even now, we are preparing with high expectations to attend the industry exhibition in Hanover,” reveals M. Irbe.
Matīss Irbe also notes that he sees the value of state support tools from another perspective — not only in the development of his own company, but also within the broader business environment. Since the equipment developed by “Design Tree” helps other companies automate processes, increase efficiency and modernise production, the company’s services are also used by other Latvian businesses that attract various support instruments for their development.
When evaluating the administrative side, the company acknowledges that document circulation can sometimes be extensive; however, the overall process is understandable and the benefits outweigh the required effort. So far, the company has managed all documentation on its own.
“I’ll be provocative — if a company cannot answer the questions that need to be explained in such an application, perhaps the idea is not yet mature enough to enter business. These requirements help you understand how ready you are for the next step,” he says.
The article was produced within the framework of the project “For the Development of Innovative Entrepreneurship in SMEs”, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund and the European Union.
