LSM was among the crowds at the freshly renovated VEF Palace of Culture (even participating in the first panel discussion) and spoke to some of those in attendance.
Among the opening speakers was Economics Minister Arvils Ašeradens who insisted the fact that this is an election year will not mean his attention is elsewhere in coming months. Within government, the contribution that can be made from this particularly entrepreneurial sector was not established beyond doubt, he said. 
Proof that TechChill now has a more than regional reach came from Alexis Poulin of Paris-based EIT Digital, who signalled that EIT would be increasing the amount it invests in Latvia and the other Baltic states in coming months as part of the European Union's Horizon 2020 program. He also reflected on what different regions within the EU might be able to learn from each other. 
And no Latvian IT event would be complete without hearing from legendary tech journalist Juris Kaža who shared his take on TechChill with LSM, noting how it has grown rapidly from a minor date on the business calendar to a major deal in more ways than one, and how it serves a useful purpose in airing the major tech topics in public, whether that be Blockchain, Bitcoin or whatever the Next Big Thing is.
You can continue to follow the full TechChill agenda and live streams via the official website HERE.
