Celebrating entrepreneurs of Aizkraukle region

With true pride, sincerity and inspiring stories, the event “Aizkraukle Municipality Annual Award in Entrepreneurship 2025” was held on March 28 at the Aizkraukle Municipality Sports Center. People who, with their work, courage and ideas, create a strong and growing Aizkraukle Municipality met in one place.

This evening was more than just an award ceremony – it was a story about people. About those who believe in their ideas, work with perseverance and inspire others with their example. Behind every company there are people, families and teams who, with their work, create our common environment.

Opening the event, the Chairman of the Aizkraukle Municipality Council, Leons Līdums, greeted the entrepreneurs of the municipality and thanked everyone for their invaluable contribution to the development of the municipality.

This year, the awards were presented in 14 nominations, and each entrepreneur has their own unique success story. Each nominee received an artistically designed light bulb with oak leaves wrapped around it. The light bulb symbolizes the energy and enthusiasm that the award recipient has given to others, inspiring them to achieve their goals, and the oak leaves symbolize the Aizkraukle region. The awards were made by Aizkraukle metalworking artist Ants Brimerbergs.

Awarded entrepreneurs

In the nomination “Large Taxpayer” the award was presented to Kristaps Knesis, Chairman of the Board of SIA “Billerud Latvia”.

SIA “Billerud Latvia” is a Swedish capital company operating in Jaunjelgava and exporting pulpwood. It is one of the largest logging companies in Latvia, ensuring stable operations for more than 30 years.

In the nomination “Large Employer” the company SIA “Hanza-elektro” from Koknese was awarded, and the award was received by the company’s representative Anita Ščerbinska

The company has been operating in the energy sector for more than 18 years, it provides electrical installation and design services, has created jobs for more than 100 employees, ensuring a well-maintained environment and amenities for their well-being.

In the nomination “Step into the World” the award was received by Monta Nāburga, Manager of SIA “RADADA” from Skrīverie. The company's story began in 2015 with creative passion and a desire to turn ideas into tangible art. With careful handwork, a recognizable brand emerged from a small screen printing workshop, and today the works created by the company inspire people both in Latvia and abroad. SIA “RADADA” is increasingly asserting itself in the international design environment.

In the “Stability” nomination, the company SIA “Pļaviņu DM” was awarded. The award was received by board member Juris Seikovskis.

For more than thirty years, the company has been producing high-quality dolomite products – from crushed stone and its mixtures to screenings. The products are used in many infrastructure and construction projects, and its quality and reliability have been highly appreciated both in Latvia and abroad, confirming the company's professionalism, experience and competitiveness.

The nomination "Investments" award was awarded to SIA "Kokneses SES". It was received by Artūrs Plume, Chairman of the Board of SIA "Saules Energy".

Koknese solar power plant is one of eight solar energy projects implemented by SIA "Merito Partners" and SIA "Saules Energy" in Latvia. The total investment of the project exceeded 4 million euros, of which 2.1 million euros is financing from Altum, while external financing was attracted from more than 80 local investors. The company's goal is to develop the solar energy sector in Latvia, creating a sustainable and safe energy future.

In the nomination "Innovation" the award was received by the co-owner of the farm “Čaidāni" Kristaps Leitis from Nereta parish. The farm, managed with experience and passion, has been successfully operating for more than 30 years. Its main activity is dairy farming, and currently there are about 240 cattle in the herd. On the farm, modern technologies are combined with years of experience.

In the nomination "Growth" the award was awarded to SIA "Salenieku Bloks" from Sērene parish. For more than 20 years, the company has been purposefully developing and has become an important player in the concrete products industry in Latvia. Its growth is based on the ability to combine many years of experience with modern technologies, constantly improving production processes and expanding the scope of activities.

In the nomination "farmer in the countryside", the award went to Dzintars Kazakevich from Seces – a man whose passion and love for seedlings has turned into real art. With his magnificent seedlings, he pleases both locals and buyers from closer and further afield, and a real carousel of colors, smells and life reigns in the greenhouses.

In the nomination "From generation to generation", the award was awarded to SIA "Beļūna ZS Saules" from Nereta parish, and it was received by the representatives of the holding Nauris and Reinis Beļūni.

SIA "Beļūna ZS Saules" is a family business that operates sustainably in the field of road construction and maintenance, passing on experience and values from generation to generation. A large part of the company's activities consists of road construction projects throughout the territory of Latvia, making the infrastructure safer and more convenient for every resident. In addition to its daily activities in the field of roads, the company also implements investment projects important to the local community, including the creation of a hostel with eleven beds, offering a comfortable and friendly environment for both tourists and local guests.

The nomination "Local Taste" award was received by Jānis Bērziņš from Seces, the head of Jānis Smokehouse of SIA BERICO.

In the enterprise, fish and meat are smoked only with alder firewood, while maintaining the real taste and authenticity. Over the years, the company has grown and developed, inspired by the wishes of local residents and customers, while maintaining its roots and the taste of the county.

In the nomination "Master of the craft", the award was received by the representative of SIA "INDALO" Inga Orola from Nereta parish, who created the brand "Ginella".

Inga's path in creating jewelry began from curiosity and a desire to try something new. From accounting, she came to creative work, mastering the production of galvanized jewelry and developing her skills in everyday life. The basis of each jewelry is a real leaf of wood, which, with the help of careful processes and electrolysis, is covered with a layer of copper, preserving the shape and structure of nature. Jewelry is supplemented with natural stones, giving them a unique character. Each work is hand-created, combining nature, technology and creativity.

In the nomination "Pearl of Tourism", the award was received by the owners of SIA "Odzienas muiža" Nora and Alvis Krasovski.

Odziena manor is a picturesque corner of history and nature, where the spectacular neo-Gothic castle harmoniously meets the peaceful countryside. The manor complex offers a wide range of opportunities for organizing various events – from celebrations in the palace halls to parties in the tavern. Visitors are delighted not only by the historical architecture, but also by the tidy surroundings with manor ponds, islets, ancient trees and leisurely rural tranquility. In addition, the manor complex displays an impressive collection of cars and equipment of the last century – more than 20 Soviet-era cars, motorcycles, as well as various cameras, radio and household appliances, which allows you to look into the everyday life of the recent past. Odziena manor is an important cultural and historical site that combines architectural heritage, natural values and diverse sightseeing opportunities.

In the nomination "Young Entrepreneur", the award was received by the head of IK "Stukmaņi dārzs" Jelizaveta Arbeitere.

The company processes its own grown berries and fruits using freeze-drying or cold drying method, preserving the natural taste, aroma, color and nutritional value of the products. The offer includes freeze-dried strawberries, a "fruit carousel" with four flavors - strawberries, plums, raspberries and blueberries, as well as strawberry syrup and tasteful gift sets. The company's activities are based on high-quality, self-grown raw materials and a sustainable approach to production.

The recognition of the nomination "Friendly to the customer" was received by the owners of the resting place of SIA "Hillsland" in "Ciemiņos" Monta and Rihards Grahoļskis.

Residents of Aizkraukle municipality were invited to participate in the vote and choose one entrepreneur who would deserve recognition in the nomination "Friendly to the customer". At the end of the vote, the winner of the nomination "Friendly to the customer" was recognized as a resting place in "Ciemiņi", which is located in Bebri parish.

Each laureate confirms that the success of entrepreneurship is based on perseverance, courage and adaptability.

New ideas that become reality

The event also honored the participants of the business idea competition "Be an entrepreneur in Aizkraukles district 2025!". Of the ten ideas submitted last year, funding was allocated to four:

• Svetlana Mateša – for the establishment of a physical development studio in Aizkraukle;

• Tomass Miglāns from Koknese - for the development of veterinary services with a specialization in horse medicine.

• IK "Dāvanu skapis" from Irši – for the purchase of a modular house, the production of personalized gifts and the organization of master classes;

• Beāte Beatrise Kalnaraupa from Aizkraukle – off-site veterinary services.

These stories prove that an idea can become a company if it is joined by courage and support.

Summing up student learning companies

Schoolchildren's training companies assure that the first steps in entrepreneurship can begin already during school time.

The group of primary schools welcomed the student learning company "TEGAJA" from Skriveri who create design dishes from coffee grounds, proving that sustainability and creativity go hand in hand. Meanwhile, in the group of secondary schools - student training company "Nataliá" from Aizkraukle created natural scents of essential oils, combining science, design and entrepreneurship.

Every young entrepreneur is trained by teachers – mentors who encourage, support and help to believe in ideas. Thank you to teachers Danute Podvinska and Zane Sirmace-Liedskalniņa!

Businesses and young people together – the path to the skills of the future

This year, five companies of the municipality participated in the activity "Competence Development Practice in Companies" of the Recovery Fund investment project "Development of the Digital Youth Work System in Municipalities".

The main objective of the activity was to promote the development of digital and entrepreneurial skills of young people, promoting their personal growth.

Thanks were also given to the companies that opened their doors to young people, giving them the opportunity to get to know the working environment, learn new skills and take their first steps in the professional world.

Thanks were received by:

• SIA "IMIGA" café "Panna" in Aizkraukle, company manager Ingūna Grandāne;

• SIA "Kāpiņa" leather accessories workshop "Dunense" in Koknese, company manager Kristīne Kāpiņa;

• Marika Grāvleja, owner of a flower shop in Jaunjelgava;

• SIA "VEGOLAUKS" café "Kafevego" in Pļaviņas, head of the company Nauris Eglītis;

• SIA "Rozīne" café "Skrīveru mājas saldējums" in Skriveri, company manager Lelde Sotniece.

At the end of the event, Aizkraukle municipality cooperation partners awarded their sympathy awards for good cooperation and participation in projects.

Indra Auzenberga, Senior Client Transaction Manager of the Development Finance Institution Altum, presented the award to SIA "MV Tara" from Jaunjelgava.

The company, which has been operating since 2006 and employs more than 80 employees, is one of the first in Latvia to introduce a robotic pallet production process. The company specializes in the pre-processing of logs and the manufacture of various types of pallets. Cooperation with Altum helps the company to implement innovation and investment projects that contribute to the economic development of the municipality.

Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) Kaspars Abiks, Head of the Pierīga Region of the Enterprise Development Department, presents the award to SIA "Ajelix" from Aizkraukle.

SIA "Ajelix" is a full-stack developer and consulting partner created in Latvia, which helps companies grow by developing cost-effective tools and demonstrating automation capabilities. The company specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) conversation tools, offering an alternative to the popular "ChatGPT", especially for business professionals.

In cooperation with the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), SIA "Ajelix" continues to develop its products and participate in trade missions organized by the LIAA, which helps to introduce Latvian innovations to international markets.

Latvian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Baiba Nolberga, head of Zemgale regional department, presented the award to SIA "Kūdras Enerģija" from Koknese parish, which specializes in peat extraction, processing, packaging and sale. The award was also presented to the old member of LCCI SIA "Pļaviņu DM".

Alda Paura, project manager of the association "Aizkraukles district partnership", awarded the implementer of the "LEADER" project – SIA "Virtuve Vairogi" from Mazzalve parish.

This catering establishment in Ērberģe has become a place where tastes, hospitality and active recreation meet. It offers a diverse menu for different tastes, while also creating new opportunities for visitors – from bike rides along marked routes to leisurely relaxation on the water, boating along the Dienvidsusēja.

Latvian Rural Advisory and Education Centre (LLKC) Madara Vēvere, head of Aizkraukles office, awarded Lilija Lubeņeca farm "Bencēni". Lilija started her economic journey at the moment when the Latvian state was still learning to breathe freely. Today, Lily, together with her strongest support – her husband – tends 117 hectares of land. Where livestock once grazed, now golden ear sway in the wind. These 117 hectares are not just land – they are thousands of sunrises, thousands of hours of work and an immeasurable belief that the work of the farmer is sacred.

Inta Eglīte, head of the business customer center "Jēkabpils" of SIA "Latvijas Mobilais Telefons" (LMT), presented her sympathy to the winner of the award "Young Entrepreneur" Jelizaveta Arbeitere from IK "Stukmaņu dārzs", giving free internet for one year.

Agita Grīnvalde-Iruka, editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Staburags", presents two sympathy awards. One of them was received by Iveta Muraška, a representative of IU "Cielava", who has a store in Sproģi. The store was once created by Ivet's father and has existed for 28 years, experiencing both challenges and victories. Despite the difficult moments, Iveta Muraška courageously continued what she started and last year opened a store in Zalve. These stores are more than outlets – they are meeting points where people find not only what they need, but also human conversation and support.

In turn, the second sympathy prize was awarded by the newspaper "Staburags" to IK "Svētku Mode" from Koknese and welcomed its manager Inga Liopa. The salon "Svētku mode" in Koknese has been operating for more than 20 years and creates special outfits in which every client can feel truly happy. With love for their work and creative approach, a wide range of clients has formed throughout Latvia, where good fame travels from person to person.