07.04.2016

At International Student Company (SC) Festival held on April 6, organized by business education organization Junior Achievement Latvia (JA Latvia) in cooperation with shopping center Domina Shopping, Grand Prix was awarded to company JA GLORY from Slovakia that produces chewing gum for weight loss. The most successful company from Latvia this year was manufacturer of woven and knotted bracelets Rakstums, who won the first prize in category “Best Sales Team”. Festival altogether gathered 100 Student Companies and more than 100 economics and social science teachers and business consultants from 16 countries.

JA Latvia head of the board Jānis Krievāns evaluating this year’s performance of Student Companies: “International SC Festival is the next level for SC program – a chance for young entrepreneurs to widen their horizon, make contacts in foreign countries, evaluate and understand international competition. This year most of students treated the Festival like an exhibition – a way to show off their production to Latvian consumers without trying to make big sales or revenue.  I want to praise all the students who had been preparing for this Trade fair very seriously and have demonstrated excellent communication and language skills.”

Product made by SC JA GLORY, who received the Grand Prix of ISCF'2016, is a chewing gum that helps fight obesity by lowering appetite, it regenerates, strengthens the immune system and has anti-stress effects. This product is already in production by a pharmaceutical factory. In nomination “Best Sales Team” first place was awarded to SC Rakstums from Latvia – manufacturers of woven and knotted bracelets in various designs.  “Most Innovative Product Award” was granted to SC Sharp & Shave from Netherlands, who are selling mens' razorblade sharpeners and cleaners. In nomination “Best Trade Fair Display Stand” first place prize was earned by SC Hedens Perle from Denmark who have created jewelry with heather that symbolizes Danish culture. Prize as the most Social Responsible Business was awarded to SC Mickey Finn UF from Sweden, who are producing bracelets from fishing hooks and nets found at the coast of Baltic Sea.

“Best Video advertisement” — SC Happy Greens YE from Sweden who manufacture containers with protective seal for cut fruit and vegetables, extending freshness of the food. You can find the winner and also the other compeeting videos here - ISCF'2016 videos. “JA Latvia Alumni International Potential Award” was granted to SC Sharp & Shave from Netherlands.

During the Trade fair, Student Companies were judged by experienced local and foreign team consisting of business professionals and academics, represented by Ministry of Economics, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), BA School of Business and Finance, RTU Riga Business School, Hansaworld, Glimstedt and partners, Inbox.lv, SIA LatRosTrans, Latvia’s State Forests (LVM), Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), SIA Sakret, Latvian Insurers Association, Coca-Cola HBC Latvia, SIA Flora, SIA PARS ADVERT, DDB Latvia un JAL program graduates.

Awards for the participants of the Trade fair were sponsored by LCCI, Domina Shopping, HansaWorld Latvia, Coca-Cola HBC Latvia, LVM, DDB Latvia, Inbox.lv, LIAA, SIA Pars Advert, JCI Latvia.

As a reminder – Student Company festival was attended by participants from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Israel, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Norway, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Latvia. During the Trade fair for the first time ever production of 15 four-country (Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Sweden) Student joint ventures, established for project “Central Baltic Student Enterprises without Borders” (CBEwB). Project is carried out within INTERREG Baltic sea region transnational cooperation program for 2014-2020. Goal of this program is to strengthen integrated territorial development to make Baltic Sea region more innovative, accessible and sustainable.

Student Company festival media partners are TVNET.lv, Draugiem.lv and Inbox.lv.

You can find the first photos of the event on our Facebook page, more are to follow soon!