Tālis LaizānsView profile
Assistant Professor
Tālis Laizāns serves as a practical assistant professor and researcher at the Institute of Economics and Entrepreneurship, Riga Technical University (RTU), leveraging dual master's qualifications in economics and engineering to bridge academic theory with real-world business applications. His work significantly advances RTU's research in entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic policy development. His educational credentials include: Master of Economics (Mg.oec.) Master of Engineering (Mg.ing.) Laizāns specializes in venture capital, SME development, and social innovation financing, with strong emphasis on artificial intelligence applications and EU research frameworks. His interdisciplinary approach integrates economic analysis with engineering principles to address contemporary challenges in Latvian and European business ecosystems, particularly focusing on practical implementation pathways for startups and established enterprises. His 2019 publications analyze social innovation through multiple lenses: societal participation dynamics, international financing models, EU research project structures, and critical success factors. These works synthesize Latvia-specific case studies with broader European experiences, highlighting actionable insights for policymakers and business stakeholders in scaling social innovation initiatives. Professional recognition stems from substantial project leadership rather than formal awards, evidenced by his selection as Latvia's representative in high-impact EU initiatives. Laizāns actively secures and executes research funding across diverse domains: Latvia-Cambridge Venture Camp (2024) : Cultivating next-generation entrepreneurship through experiential learning in the UK. Shadow Economy Assessment in Construction (2024-2025) : Quantifying informal economic activities to inform regulatory frameworks. OpenFin Hackathon (2024) : Driving fintech innovation through international competition platforms. Learning and Research Academic Group (2024) : Advancing pedagogical methodologies and collaborative research practices. Post-Pandemic Economic Framework Project (2020) : Designing resilience strategies for Latvia's economic recovery. Climate Knowledge and Innovation Community (2016-2023) : Leading EIT-funded climate action through knowledge transfer. His earlier Horizon 2020 contributions include Bio-Based Industries JIT representation (2013-2017) and COPA-COGECA working group leadership on agricultural innovation (2010-2017). At RTU, Laizāns operates within the Innovation Economic Research Center while co-founding the 'Learning and Research' academic collective. His project portfolio demonstrates consistent engagement with interdisciplinary teams tackling societal challenges through evidence-based innovation, particularly in economic policy design and sustainable business model development.








