Latvian start-up SIA “From Air to Form”, founded last year, is developing a unique knitwear design laboratory—the only one of its kind in the Baltic States—helping designers and fashion brands from Latvia and abroad turn their ideas into finished samples and collections. In addition to developing physical prototypes, the company creates specialised knitting machine programmes and technical solutions that enable clients, when needed, to organise further production on an industrial scale elsewhere in Europe. The company is already working with clients in several European countries and plans to strengthen its capacity, expand into new export markets and develop its production capabilities in the coming years.
To accelerate its development, the company is actively using support instruments offered by the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA). “From Air to Form” receives support for attracting highly qualified specialists and has recently joined the business incubation programme of LIAA’s Jēkabpils Representative Office.
“Thanks to the support for attracting highly qualified employees, we will be able to achieve our goals much faster. Of course, we could continue developing without it, but it would take considerably more time. At the early stage of a start-up, this kind of support is extremely valuable,” says Tatjana Miškine, Procurator of SIA “From Air to Form”.
The company also highly values its experience of working with LIAA specialists to date.
“I have previously worked with LIAA through another company, and I can say that a great deal has changed for the better in recent years. The start-up support team consists of very responsive people who are always ready to help and answer questions. You feel that you are not on your own—you have a partner by your side who helps you move forward,” says Miškine.
Although the company only recently joined LIAA’s Jēkabpils business incubation programme, it already sees several opportunities to make use of the available support instruments.
“We plan to make the most of the opportunities offered by the incubator—from training and services to various events and opportunities to meet entrepreneurs from other industries. These encounters allow us to gain new ideas and learn from the valuable experience of other companies,” says Miškine.
The company emphasises that the value of support goes beyond funding. Equally important are opportunities to develop competencies, build networks and acquire knowledge that helps the company prepare for its next stage of growth. “We are still at an early stage of development, so right now it is important for us not only to grow but also to learn. The opportunities offered by LIAA help us do this with much greater confidence,” Miškine concludes.
The programme is financed under Specific Objective 1.2.1, “Strengthening Research and Innovation Capacities and the Uptake of Advanced Technologies by Enterprises,” Measure 1.2.1.4, “Support for Improving the Technology Transfer System,” of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027.
