Lean Startup

Open Coffee Riga is a friendly informal networking event for entrepreneurs, professionals, locals, guests, people in the startup community, and students in Riga. Open Coffee Riga is an “un-meeting” without a speaker or agenda. We are focused on attendees gaining value from other attendees. The rules, tools, structure and moderation aim to facilitate this goal. You may find a mentor, investor, client, co founder, employer, vendor, inspiration or a friend. What is the BIG idea behind Open Coffee? We want to help people create valuable & meaningful connections. Everyone is welcome to our meetings, and we especially love first-timers. We want to make sure that if somebody coming from an unsupportive background/country has the courage to join, they will notice that we are glad they came because we welcome them. If you feel shy, you can also just listen but we encourage you to talk. We start at 19:00 sharp. Everybody gets up to 2 minutes to present: 1. Who they are and what they are doing 2. What they want 3. How they can help others At 20:00 sharp we stop hosting and you can talk to people who are most interesting to you. We are focused on business and social entrepreneurs, community builders, game-changers, earth-shakers and anyone else who is doing something interesting or wants to get involved in other people's projects. You can talk about any project/topic. This event is based on the Open Coffee Krakow format, run by Richard Lucas and others in Krakow, Poland since 2012. The Open Coffee Riga is a revival of the Open Coffee Riga from 2011 (!) where it evolved into TechHub Riga & that evolved into StartupHouse Riga. If you are interested in knowing more about the Open Coffee format, take a look at our video for potential leaders [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z99E2z8anFU). Open Coffee format events are organised world-wide in Krakow, Lisbon, Porto, Tokyo, Sydney & many more places.

There are many groups promoting this event. Our meetup group is participating by promoting this event. This event is organized by Albert's List. This is an online event. Attendees can be located anywhere in the world! This event is FREE to attend. In order to attend, please register here: [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-build-ai-skills-for-your-career-with-vibe-coding-in-2026-tickets-1980912909838?aff=ideatoipo](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/how-to-build-ai-skills-for-your-career-with-vibe-coding-in-2026-tickets-1980912909838?aff=ideatoipo) AI skills are no longer optional—but learning them doesn’t require a technical background or months of tutorials. In this live session, Albert’s List teams up with Scott Simson, founder of AI Marketing World, to show how professionals are using *vibe coding* to build real AI projects, develop in-demand skills, and ship usable MVPs—fast. This is a practical, beginner-friendly walkthrough, not a theory talk. ### **What You’ll Learn** * The top AI tools to focus on in 2026 (and which ones to ignore) * What “vibe coding” actually means—and why it works for non-technical builders * How to identify high-leverage software niches where simple AI products win * How to build AI workflows and apps with zero prior coding experience * How to go from idea → prototype → MVP in days, not months * What to do *after* you build: validation, iteration, and next steps * How these skills translate into career leverage, consulting, or side projects ### **Who This Event Is For** * Job seekers looking to future-proof their skills * Marketers, operators, and product-adjacent professionals * Non-technical builders who want to ship real AI projects * Anyone curious about AI but overwhelmed by the technical barrier ABOUT SCOTT SIMSON Scott Simson is the founder of AI Marketing World, a leading event and education platform focused on practical AI adoption for marketers, operators, and builders. Scott works at the intersection of AI, marketing, and product experimentation, helping professionals understand how to apply emerging tools without getting lost in hype or unnecessary complexity. His work emphasizes real-world use cases—how AI actually gets implemented inside workflows, teams, and early-stage products. He is particularly known for translating fast-moving AI trends into accessible frameworks that non-technical audiences can use to build, test, and ship ideas quickly. Scott has been featured on ABC, NBC News, Fox, and in many other publications. Connect with him at [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsimson/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsimson/).

Come to check out our hackerspace, talk to people and learn some new things, maybe use the tools for a short while, or just sit down with a laptop and do some work in a quiet place. Also a good time to sign up for a membership! We will have tea and coffee, likely also cookies. Come whenever from 19:00 till 22:00 - we might even be open until 24:00! If there's a problem (i.e. doors not open), call 28701072.

The Riga Tech Dinner is an in-person event for those who typically have deep thoughts, have lots of questions and ideas to share. Everyone is welcome to discuss or just listen! **Special guests of this event:** * [Denis Chichmaryov](https://www.linkedin.com/in/denis-chichmaryov-6a6b9198) \- Starting my career from full\-stack engineering\, now I am leading 2 large EPAM offices in CEE where we build world\-class solutions for Global and regional Clients\. In addition to that I drive one of largest transformational efforts at EPAM related with AI\-powered Knowledge Management and Talent Management\. * [Anrijs Snipke](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anrijssnipke) \- Sales executive with 20\+ years of experience in the IT industry\, supporting customers across the public sector\, utilities\, telecom\, financial services\, and high\-growth startups\. I help organizations deliver digital transformation initiatives by aligning business outcomes with modern \(cloud\) technology\. I am also an active member of the Latvian Open Technology Association \(LATA\)\, contributing to the advancement of open technologies in Latvia\. **About the event** You might be wondering, what's the value of such an event? Why are other existing Business Networking events not enough? - The key difference is that we meet, enjoy dinner, and discuss whatever we like. It's an event for professionals in Tech to exchange ideas and grow. The special guests will tell a little about themselves and do their best to initiate a discussion if awkward silence enters the room. However, *"Runāšana – sudrabs, klusēšana – zelts"* (translation: "talking - silver, silence - gold"). It's also a good time to think and listen to conversations that you typically would not have at home and work. **Communication and channels:** Join us on [WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GYDCBI5ca2BBvmgDVjA3fM](https://chat.whatsapp.com/GYDCBI5ca2BBvmgDVjA3fM) You can check out the previous events on the [Techies of Baltics LinkedIn page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/riga-tech-dinner/). We record short interviews with special guests for the Riga Tech Cast podcast during the event. Follow on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1pr3DU9Tu6GJZO67CuUj5Z), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLIQbshchl7uBmsPwkDNsDLt3l022o8V5), and other popular places. Tell the host if you want to be featured as well. **Expectations from participants:** * try not to be late * introduce yourself * don't interrupt others * come with an empty stomach and pay for your own dinner * try not to be grumpy if you're hungry * this is not a party. However, a glass of wine may oil the tongue a bit * if you don't feel like talking, then don't. But coming to a networking event and not saying a word is like window-shopping * pay the event fee in cash at the spot. No online transaction is possible * judgment-free mind is a must * RSVP - show up or update your status timely if you can't **Why the event fee?** \- we always have 2 special guests at the event\. They have received a special invitation to join us\. We should cover their dinner expenses as the least minimum we can do beyond a "thank you"\. The event fee is a fund for that\. **The host:** Uldis Karlovs-Karlovskis is an [IT expert](https://uldiskarlovskarlovskis.com/) with 20 years of diverse experience. He is a certified DevOps Leader, the board chairman of the DevOps & AI Latvia community, the director of the Dzīvais Rīgas Teātris and a lecturer at the BDA, Riga Technical University and Riga Business School. *'Please note that photographs and footage will be taken throughout this event without a warning. These can be used by the Community for marketing and publicity in our publications, on our website and in social media or in any third-party publication.*

**Founders Running Club** (FRC) brings founders, investors, tech, creative people and startup enthusiasts together for weekly easy runs and networking. We like to be comfortable when we run and finish with coffee and conversations. Choose your pace or follow a pacer—pets, friends, family, are welcome. 🗓️ Launched in San Francisco, July 16, 2022 🌍 Now in 35+ cities 📅 Running + Networking events + Community **Join the community** http://foundersrc.com/chats **Stay updated**: Instagram http://instagram.com/foundersrc/ Podcast http://podcast.foundersrc.com/ LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/company/foundersrc/ Strava http://strava.com/clubs/foundersRC Website http://foundersrc.com/

A small and exclusive group of friends running 5 km every Sunday at 10 am. Bring yourself, your running shoes and maybe a friend. We start in the center, medium pace run, then end up at a coffee shop. => Once you go on the waiting list, the moderator will approve/reject Instagram => https://www.instagram.com/rigasundayruns Whatsapp=> [https://chat.whatsapp.com/CF24r42CTn3GKtsNjdpEjG?mode=gi_t](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CF24r42CTn3GKtsNjdpEjG?mode=gi_t)

Jira migration is a hot topic for many teams today, but we've got you covered. We’ll cover practical tips, common challenges, and best practices to help you navigate the migration process with confidence, along with tips and tricks for everyday Jira use. This event is designed for Project Managers, Jira Admins, and Jira users who are planning or considering a move from Jira Data Center to Cloud—and beyond. Come and learn more, share your experience, and make connections.  Agenda 6:00 PM: "Kick off" by Svetlana Avene-Avenina, Atlassian Champion, eazyBI 6:15 PM: "The roadmap from DC to Cloud" by Kalle Sirkesalo, Eficode Jira Cloud transformation lessons from the Trenches "Migration isn't just a technical 'lift and shift'—it’s a chance to hit the reset button on years of configuration debt. Join Kalle Sirkesalo from Eficode as he breaks down the reality of moving from Jira Data Center to the Cloud. We’ll dive into real-world lessons from Eficode’s most complex migrations, including how we navigated the 'App Gap' and transitioned thousands of users without losing our minds. Whether you are an Admin worried about Atlassian Access, a PM looking for better reporting, or a User just trying to find where the 'Create' button moved, this session is packed with practical 'Notes from the Field' to ensure your move is a leap forward, not a step back. 6:45 PM: "Tips and tricks for Jira users" by Artūrs Zvaigzne, Evolution --- Speakers Arturs Zvaigzne - Evolution (IT Project Coordinator) Artūrs is a Project Coordinator at Evolution currently overseeing data initiatives and cross-departmental projects. Over his three-year journey at Evolution, he has progressed from Process Master to Product Owner in a data team before assuming his current role. Prior to Evolution, he spent 11 years at a navigation technologies company HERE, ultimately serving as Service Delivery Coordinator in… Kalle Sirkesalo - Eficode (Customer Services DevOps Leader) Moderator Svetlana Avene-Avenina - eazyBI (Partners and Marketing Manager) Svetlana is a Marketing Manager at eazyBI, specializing in partnership development with a robust background in marketing, event management, and partner relations. With 10 years of marketing experience, among them four years in the open-source realm, she is dedicated to driving impactful marketing strategies and fostering strong partnerships at eazyBI. Outside of work, Svetlana is passion… Hosted By Svetlana Avene-Avenina, Community Leader Rūdolfs Rutkovskis, Atlassian business team lead --- Global Partner Atlassian (http://atlassian.com) Millions of users globally rely on Atlassian products every day for improving software development, project management, collaboration, and code quality. Partner eazyBI (https://eazybi.com/) eazyBI is a leading reports, charts, and dashboards app for Jira, seamlessly integrated into Jira Cloud and Data Center. Enterprise-ready, scalable, flexible, secure, and powerful, eazyBI adapts to growing reporting needs for organizations of all sizes. --- For over a decade, Atlassian customers have come together to network, share ideas, solve problems, and find new ways to use Atlassian products. Today, more than 15,000 people take part in Atlassian community events in more than 30 countries. --- Complete your event RSVP here: https://ace.atlassian.com/events/details/atlassian-riga-presents-jira-from-data-center-to-cloud-and-practical-tips-for-project-managers/.

One of the most valuable parts of this community is the opportunity to think out loud with other product professionals. This session is built for exactly that. As we wrap up the quarter, it’s a great time to pause and reflect. What’s on track? What needs adjustment? Where could a small shift create bigger impact? Join fellow product professionals for a focused, interactive conversation designed to help you recalibrate for the next quarter. You’ll have the opportunity to share where you are, hear how others are thinking through similar challenges, and gain fresh perspective you can bring back to your team and organization. We’ll gather at 8:00AM, with discussion starting promptly at 8:15AM. 📍 First Watch - 7227 N High St Located in: The Shops at Worthington Ample parking is available. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Start your morning with clarity and connection — we hope to see you there! ☀️

Calling all founders, CEOs, lawyers, doctors, and entrepreneurs to join our special *Founder Edition* of Sip & Read meetup event. Let's sip on fine wine and discuss our first book **The 5AM Club- Own Your Morning Elevate Your Life, by Robin Sharma**. We will pair this book with our favorite wine at **Wine on High** and engage in thought-provoking discussions on startup businesses and entrepreneurship, and network with like-minded individuals in a cozy book club setting. Come prepared to discuss this month's book. At the end of each book club meeting, we will take next book and venue suggestions from the participants for the next meeting. Whether you are a book lover, women entrepreneur, or a content creator, this event is perfect for sharing ideas and insights with other funders and founders in the entrepreneurial world. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together. Sign up now to reserve your spot! *Fun fact! This meetup was established in 2015 and had over 1,000 members. I had to shut down operations while attending law school, but we're back!!*

Is your business taking more of your time than you would like? [Rob Young](https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinci-robyoung/) principal at [Stage 3 Group](https://www.linkedin.com/company/stage-3-group/), hosts this workshop series and is the author of Stage 3 Success. * Provides a framework and a playbook for leaders of emerging businesses * Reviews business management tools and techniques for scaling and maturing a business * How to recognize and leverage stories hidden in financial statements * How to implement financial and operational controls and use leading indicators to spot trouble before it occurs * How to manage your time for maximum effect * How to deal with nonperforming employees * How to create standard operating procedures throughout your organization Four sessions will include two hours of content and an optional 90-minute hands-on lab. Reserve your spot via this link: https://clintonvilleba.com/calendar/#!event/2026/3/20/chaos-to-clarity-to-control ($200 for non-CABA members.)

We are recruiting new group leaders for virtual men's groups! Our primary groups are outdoor movement groups, but we are launching virtual groups for the state of Ohio and beyond and the groups will move outside in the spring, creating room for men's groups, women's groups and coed groups all over the country. Read below to learn about our groups and click the links at the bottom to apply. ### **What is an Outdoor Empowerment Group?** Our Outdoor Movement & Community Empowerment Groups are simple, guided experiences designed to help people reconnect with nature, themselves, and others. We combine some form of movement (hike, walk, run, bike, yoga, workout) and meaningful conversation within a simple community circle to create a space where individuals can support each other while prioritizing mental and physical well-being. Whether you’re seeking stress relief, personal growth, or community, our groups offer everyone a unique and welcoming environment. ## **Why Join?** * **Improve Mental & Physical Well-Being** – Movement, nature, and supportive conversations reduce stress and promote balance. * **Feel Less Alone** – Build genuine connections with like-minded people in a safe, welcoming space. * **Gain Clarity & Perspective** – Step outside daily routines and into a space designed for personal growth and reflection. ## **The Ideal Group Leader** The ideal group leader * Has a born-in passion for mental health, movement, connecting with nature and building community. * Has 5 extra hours per week to dedicate to a meaningful cause for at least one year. Yes, you can leave any organization at any time and we can also ask you to leave, but we are building with legacy in mind and we need people who can commit and be ALL IN on this mission to build with us. * Is independently financially stable with the ability to volunteer with no expectation of pay. This is a deeply beautiful journey of service that all participants commit to at Speak Your Mind. * An ability to manage groups with high emotional intelligence and desire for human connection. * An ability to self-motivate and market/promote their group on Facebook and other social platforms. * Nature informed therapy or clinical therapists/psychologists a plus. ## **Our Impact**  Since launching, we have helped thousands find support, connection, and healing through our Outdoor Movement Groups. 100% of participants surveyed have reported: * A noticeable improvement in mental clarity and emotional well-being. * An increase in social connection and a sense of belonging. * Said they would return again. We believe mental health should be accessible, community-driven, and rooted in nature. Join us and take the first step toward a more connected, grounded, and supported version of yourself. ### **Why Our Groups are Donation-Based** Our Outdoor Movement Groups are made possible through a donation-based model. This approach allows us to keep our events accessible to everyone, regardless of financial circumstances, while also ensuring that we can continue expanding our reach. It’s a great way to pay it forward and support the growth of this beautiful mission! Every contribution helps us: * **Cover Essential Costs** – Donations allow us to pay essential legal, marketing, insurance, and admin costs as well as nourish the important people who run the organization. * **Grow Our Mission** – With your support, we can bring these healing experiences to thousands more people in the future and execute our long term plan to expand across the USA, affecting up to 500,000 people per year. By choosing to contribute, you’re not just leading an event—you’re helping build a mental health movement that supports long-term well-being and connection for all during a severe mental health epidemic. ## **Come Join Us!** We’d love to have you be part of this growing community of people prioritizing their mental health, movement, and connection. 🔹 **Visit Our Website to Learn More:** https://speakyourmind.men/joinusoutside 🔹 **Apply Here to Lead Your Own Group!** – https://form.jotform.com/taketimespeakyourmind/sym-group-leader-application 🔹 **Support the mission**: If you resonate with the mission and want to support, feel free to join a group before applying or donate to help us reach our goals to help more people! You can donate here: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/angels-for-angels/speak-your-mind Please text Mario with any questions: (808) 855-8831

## Hey Columbus WIP peeps! ## Are you ready for an event that actually gives you what you asked for?? **\-\-\-\-\-\-** **A Small-group coaching conversations for women in product navigating growth, leadership, and career decisions.** **March 10 \| 5:30–8:00 PM** **Rev1 -- NEW SPACE** **330 Rush Alley #100** **Parking Options:** • **Rev1 at The Peninsula** • **Starling St. Garage South** – 377 W. Capital St. • **LAZ Parking (COSI)** – 50 Belle St. • **LAZ Parking Limited** – 375 W. State St. • **Veterans Memorial Lot** – 300 W. Broad St. • **Metered Street Parking** **What moves are you making?** A promotion you’re working toward. A role change you’re considering. A bigger leadership opportunity. A conversation that needs to happen. A decision that’s been sitting in the back of your mind. For our Q1 Women in Product Columbus event, we’re creating space to actually work through those moments. **Making Moves** is an evening of focused, facilitated coaching conversations with experienced mentors from our local product community. This isn’t a panel. It’s not passive networking. It’s small-group dialogue designed to be thoughtful, practical, and worth your time. Here’s how it will work: • You’ll choose a topic that reflects what you’re navigating right now • You’ll join a small coaching circle (5–7 participants) • Each circle is led by a mentor who has lived experience in that area • We’ll run two rounds so you can go deeper or explore a second conversation ### Coaching Topics: • Communicating the Value of Your Work (or Team) • Career Transitions & What’s Next • Growing Into Leadership • Staying Relevant as Technology (and AI) Changes • Getting Alignment and Decisions from Leadership Our goal is simple: you leave with clearer thinking, practical perspective, and at least one next step you feel confident about. Space in each circle will be limited to keep conversations meaningful. If this sounds like the kind of room you’ve been wanting to be in, we’d love to see you on March 10. RSVP here! [https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event](https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event "https://community.womenpm.org/c/all-local-events/making-moves-a-columbus-wip-event") *And if you haven't joined the WIP group - do that too, would ya?!?!* — Your Columbus Chapter Leads - Amber, Leah and Liz!

Discover Kiro, AWS’s innovative development environment that adapts to your workflow. Whether you prefer specification-driven development or a more intuitive, vibe-based approach, Kiro empowers you to build applications your way. In this session, speakers will explore Kiro’s core functionality and its evolution through re:Invent 2025, along with demonstrations of prompts used to create APIs, hooks, and steering documents. In the latter part of the session, watch as we build a complete example from scratch, showcasing Kiro’s agentic AI workflow in action for spec-driven development and vibe coding. What You'll Learn - Core Kiro concepts and development philosophy Feature evolution: pre and post re:Invent 2025 Practical examples: API creation, hooks, and steering docs Live coding demonstration with real-time problem solving Who Should Attend - Developers, solutions architects, and technical leaders interested in modern AWS development tools and AI-assisted coding workflows. **Speakers Bio:** Matthew Jorat: Matthew Jorat is a Customer Solutions Manager at AWS with nearly three decades of expertise in AI, cloud transformation, migration, modernization, IT, technology, and business. His career spans infrastructure engineer, solutions architect, security auditor, customer success director, support and services director, and operations officer. He was an early adopter of AWS services as a customer, and his current role at AWS uniquely blends his technical and business skills as he partners with executive teams to translate strategic priorities into measurable business outcomes through cloud adoption, AI implementation, and operational excellence. Matt leads end-to-end AI initiatives for enterprise customers, identifying high-impact use cases and maintaining relentless focus on measurable ROI. He holds eight AWS certifications and serves as Adjunct Professor at Franklin University teaching cloud computing and AWS architecture. His expertise encompasses GenAI, agentic AI systems, migration, modernization, and optimization strategies that drive transformation at scale. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattjorat/) Girish Bhatia: Girish Bhatia is a seasoned technology delivery leader with deep expertise in cross-domain program management. He holds multiple AWS certifications, including AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, AWS Certified Developer – Associate, and AWS Generative AI Practitioner, and is also an AWS Community Builder. Girish brings over two decades of experience in the information technology industry. Throughout his career, Girish has led major technology-driven business transformation from modernizing on-premises applications to driving large-scale cloud migrations. His work includes API-based integration platforms, data-center and mainframe modernization, and enterprise cloud adoption initiatives. Based in Columbus, Ohio, Girish works at a tech-forward fintech company. He is passionate about AWS serverless architectures, Generative AI and emerging cloud technologies. An avid learner and builder, he continues to explore and apply the latest innovations in AWS to help organizations accelerate their digital transformation. https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/[https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/girishbhatia/) **THANK YOU** *Franklin University* for hosting our meetup! To learn more about *Franklin University*, please visit their website: https://www.franklin.edu/ **DIRECTIONS** Franklin University Fisher Hall 300 E. Main St, Columbus, OH 43215 Map: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jxjBA2hUmS5qrvhq8 Parking is FREE! Please park in Lot C in front of Fisher Hall. See attached map. NOTE: Map the address only. When mapping with Google Maps it may use the Fisher Hall at OSU, which is NOT correct. **Want to sponsor the pizza and/or bar tab?** Please contact me if you would like to sponsor this meetup's pizza and/or bar tab: angelo@mandato.com

Drake Lundstrom is presenting: Code Anywhere by Talking to your Phone Abstract: Have you heard the trend of people deploying code anywhere from checkout lines to doctors' offices? In this talk, you will learn how to talk to your phone and have an app on Azure to show your friend 5 minutes later. The basic DevOps tools you already know, plus a little bit of AI magic, are all you need! If you want to follow along, the demo will be in Azure with GitHub Actions and GitHub Copilot, and you can have it set up on your phone by the end of the session. Just come in with an Azure account and a GitHub repo. Join us for pizza, drinks, and networking @ Improving's office. Doors open at 5:45.