In this episode, TechChill CEO Annija Mezgaile shares how the event has grown from a regional startup gathering into an international platform. She discusses the importance of fostering new startups, the challenges of expanding into new markets, and TechChill’s commitment to strengthening the Baltic startup ecosystem.
One of TechChill’s main goals is to inspire and support new startup founders in the Baltic region. With over €60 million in new funding available, there’s never been a better time for entrepreneurs in Latvia and beyond to launch their ideas. TechChill is positioning itself as a key player in guiding these founders by providing expert-led content on business growth, funding, and scaling strategies.
While TechChill has always prioritized startups, the event has refined its focus on delivering content that directly benefits founders. From sales and marketing to tech and funding, each aspect of the event is designed to help early-stage companies grow. By packaging these insights into accessible sessions, TechChill ensures that attendees leave with actionable knowledge.
TechChill is more than just a once-a-year event. Throughout the year, the organization promotes Baltic startups internationally, helping them gain exposure in key markets like San Francisco and Helsinki. By connecting founders with investors and global tech leaders, TechChill plays a crucial role in strengthening the region’s startup ecosystem.
TechChill’s attempt to expand into Milan was an eye-opening experience. While the event was well-received, it highlighted the importance of having strong local partners to build a lasting community. Cultural and business differences also played a role, making it clear that successful ecosystem building requires deep local engagement. This experience reinforced TechChill’s commitment to focusing on the Baltics while selectively exploring high-impact collaborations.
TechChill has also taken an active role in supporting Ukraine’s startup community. Recognizing Ukraine’s strong talent pool and growing entrepreneurial spirit, TechChill has facilitated connections between Baltic and Ukrainian founders, investors, and community builders. Their efforts, including trips to Kyiv and partnerships with local stakeholders, aim to create meaningful opportunities for Ukrainian startups despite ongoing challenges.
TechChill’s evolution reflects a broader mission: to make the Baltics a thriving hub for innovation. By fostering new startups, offering hands-on learning, and expanding international connections, it continues to shape the future of the region’s tech ecosystem.
93 - Annija Mezgaile
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Intro music: [00:00:00] This is the Selected Podcast, your backstage pass and exclusive access to some of the biggest names in the tech industry. Brought to you by Sesamers, the definitive name in tech event media.
Ben: Hi there, this is Ben from Sesamers, recording live at Tech Chill 2025 in Riga. We're diving into a conversation with the innovators, investors, and ecosystem builders.
Shaping the future of tech in the Baltics and beyond. Big thank you to the TechShield team for making this podcast possible. Today, I'm thrilled to be joined by Ani Meshkaile, the CEO of TechShield. Under her leadership, TechShield has grown from a leading startup event in the Baltics to an international platform, supporting founders, investors, and tech communities.
Hi, Annie. How are you doing?
Annija Mezgaile: Hey, Ben. Thank you for having me.
Ben: Thank you for taking the time. I think, you know, you have a lot going on here. Can you give us an overview of what is happening at TechShield while we're doing this interview?
Annija Mezgaile: Yes. So, [00:01:00] um, TechShield is a platform for Baltic startups, uh, to grow.
And it happens by building new connections and learning from the experts that we invite. So every year it's an annual event and, uh, we invite experts from all over the world. And, uh, actually, um, so this time, what it was interesting for me that when we were thinking about building a stage content, you know, what should we put there?
Cause there's so many amazing topics to cover, but then, um, we were looking at some insights, so one of them was, okay, what do the. Basically Latvia needs, we need new startups. We need to encourage new founders, um, to launch new companies and be brave. And this is an awesome moment in Latvia and I would say in Latvian startup history, which is not, not that long.
Uh, but, uh, cause, um, we are launching, uh, in Latvia to three funds and, uh, overall it's going to be 60 plus million in capital available for startups [00:02:00] and for such a small country and small ecosystem, it's, it's. It's a lot of money kind of, we want money, but then, you know, you want to spend it, um, invest it wise and it's going to be a big challenge for, for our local ecosystem.
So, okay. So without we need new startups, which should, how can TechChill contribute here? So we build the stage content in, um, in the, uh, in different areas, uh, um, of business growth. So it's about people, culture, sales, business, marketing, funding, technology behind it. So if you are. Early stage start founder, you're like, okay, I need to kind of upgrade my skills in sales.
I'm going to listen that. So, but all overall, we wanna encourage, uh, to your company, uh, to, uh, maybe give some insights how, how to scale. Um. [00:03:00]
Ben: And this is different from what you were doing before, or is it more like, uh, you're strengthening, you're going deeper into that direction of being more practical, founder friendly?
Annija Mezgaile: We always, we always have put founder needs, um, first, but we're just looking at the angles because of course we, uh, defense tech, AI, biotech, uh, these are the fast growing, uh, verticals. But, um, we kind of wanted to package in different ways. So
Ben: you took the leadership, like the CEO position four years ago, right?
Annija Mezgaile: Yeah. Around that.
Ben: Uh, what happens for, uh, through those four years, like you took it probably just, uh, like in March 21, something like .
Annija Mezgaile: Uh, yes, actually I onboarded in the worst time that you can ever do. And it's like, it's a bit of drama in my, I, I want to be honest. So [00:04:00] firstly, I, I jumped a lot. To a totally different industry.
Ben: So what were you doing before? Yes. Okay.
Annija Mezgaile: Step back. So, uh, for 10 plus years, um, I was working in advertising design and marketing. Um, I was working in the top creative agencies in Latvia. I loved it. I did it for 10 plus years. It's at that time on that age in my life, it was, it was like still. It was about community building.
It was so bubbly. I love the deadlines and I kinda, uh, I need some, uh, stress to, uh, move faster. Otherwise I'm getting super lazy if I don't have deadlines. And, uh, the, the magic working in this field was working in this field that I, I got to know so many business models. Because my clients were, you know, from small companies could produce, I don't know, local wine to hugest corps as telco companies.
You build brands, you think about, you want to [00:05:00] understand the audience. So it's, it's like what the audience would, what are the insights, what do they need? And it helped me. A lot in working in this field as, uh, leading this organization and doing this, this event, because I'm doing that for so many people.
So, okay. How do you look at things? How can I kind of wrap it up better for you? And about, so that's why everyone is more in that field. Uh, and, and actually one of the takeaways is I got, I have so many connections around from the 20 years ago, 10 years ago. So it's like, it's pretty nice when you know a guy who knows a guy.
Ben: And you bring them, uh, here and now as, uh,
Annija Mezgaile: it's like partnerships. So a lot of partners here used to be actually my clients like 15 years ago. So it's amazing to work together again in a different ways, but, [00:06:00] uh, jumping forward on my starting of intellectual, I onboarded, I was hired in the peak of COVID. So, and it was like, uh, Latvia wasn't in that bad situation is maybe Western Europe.
And we hear other parts of the world, but. It still was a lockdown, I'd never been working from home, and so I'm meeting my team in, in the screen, uh, squares. Um, and, uh, it was right after the online events. So it is everything going real fast. And part of the time I have to kind of pretend that I understand what's happening.
So I don't look like, cause the Gen Z, I felt like they're twice as smarter than me. I was like, okay, this is something new. So, so you have to have this courage, you know, this poker face. Yes, guy, guys, I know what I'm doing. Did not
Ben: know. Yeah. You've never done events before. I mean, you did maybe, but not as, uh,
Annija Mezgaile: Actually I have kind of, uh, events maybe is when I'm, why it's like [00:07:00] it's actual, I don't.
A band is just one part actually is about content building much more because I still I don't do production. I hate technical parts. I hope my amazing production host is not hearing that. I can't like wires, screens.
Ben: Do you hire a production company?
Annija Mezgaile: Yes. And the best one in Latvia. And it's like, how, how could that happen?
It's because of my previous connections, to be honest, they just believed me. And, uh, we had the common trust because of course, uh, we have a different way of partnership than they do otherwise.
Ben: Yeah. Yeah.
Annija Mezgaile: Definitely. We're like family now. Sponsor King guys, if you need anything in Latvia, I'm kinda, uh, I can probably suggest you that.
But, uh, yes. So
Ben: sorry. So you had experience, uh, uh, it's not event. So it's very interesting. You said two things. You had experience, even if it wasn't as the, an event, you know, purely kind of an event planner, uh, and you're saying that it's [00:08:00] actually is not an event, it's a more content.
Annija Mezgaile: It's a community building.
Ben: Yeah, community
Annija Mezgaile: building. It's, the event is just a physical practical kind of what happens.
Ben: So what do you do the year?
Annija Mezgaile: Oh, it actually, so it, uh, it takes quite a few months to do it. Yeah. So, and, um, It could change year after year. So last year we do a couple of smaller, cool things, but basically we also promote Latvian ecosystem across Europe and other continents.
So, uh, last year we went to San Francisco, uh, together with ministry of economics and, uh, president of Latvia to promote our startups and ecosystem to have the Bay area to get Bay area investor attention. It's so important because, uh, one of the. Ambitions for most all startup founders should be go across the [00:09:00] ocean to states because of the market and opportunities.
But you know, we had to build these relations and then understand relations with investors over there. So also, uh, we, uh, we went to Helsinki with a, with a band and, and, and, uh, we went to Kiev with a band. So smaller things around what makes sense for our ecosystem. It's an, it's, you can do a lot of stuff, but other years we did also, um, quite a big event in textual, uh, in, uh, Milan, Italy.
So that was also life changing experience.
Ben: Wait, so I'm gonna do a quick, you know, coming back. So you start. I'm
Annija Mezgaile: jumping, I'm jumping all around, right?
Ben: It's covering a lot of, you know, I had a lot of questions that we're covering. So I love it. I'm just saying the Teixeque Milano thing sounds like something that was in the making just after you started, right?
Annija Mezgaile: What is a cliff?
Ben: I mean, Milano, this particular event, you probably [00:10:00] started working on it just after you started working here. Oh, it
Annija Mezgaile: took a year or so. So it wasn't right away. I got acquainted of what is that, how do I do things over here. So
Ben: you did an event in 21?
Annija Mezgaile: Uh, 21 was the online.
Ben: You did online only?
Annija Mezgaile: Because it was COVID. Yeah, it was 20. So, I don't want to mix the, uh, years, but I think 21 was the peak of the COVID, or 22?
Ben: I think 2020.
Annija Mezgaile: Okay, and don't ask me the years, but
Ben: It's okay, like, it doesn't matter. Then you did Milano in 22.
Annija Mezgaile: And in 23. In 23.
Ben: That's two years. That's why. Okay. Yeah. I mean, 22 and
Annija Mezgaile: 23.
Ben: What happened there?
Annija Mezgaile: Oh, it was, it's, uh, it was so interesting to work with, to actually get to know Italian.
Ben: Oh,
Annija Mezgaile: it's so different.
Ben: So from the outside, you know, I have to tell you, I was looking at some French, right? Uh, even if I have Italian name. So I'm like, looking at this, I'm like, What the hell is this?
How are they, how are they going to make it work? Yeah, like sorry, I'm just from the outside [00:11:00] because of the business culture and so many differences between the Baltic business culture Which I know a little bit about and the Italian one, which I also know a little bit about So this marriage was a bit surprising from the outside.
Tell me more
Annija Mezgaile: So if you would call me with your insights and knowledge and tell me any It's going to be hard. Yo, Italians are this and this amazing, but still that, if you would call me and explain, it was like, okay, but maybe you are right, but I didn't know it. So we just did it. So it's so like, I think people, um, they don't have a fear if they don't know it, where are they getting it?
And it sometimes works really well, because otherwise, if you would know everything, we would stop, stop ourselves.
Ben: And I think, you know, you were mentioning Gen Z earlier, from my experience as well, uh, in our company, I like to let people run and do their own mistakes. Because otherwise, I'm kind of the old, you know, grumpy band who's already done and seen everything.
So I just like, okay, I, [00:12:00] I think this is going to fail, but go ahead and do it.
Annija Mezgaile: It didn't fail. And that was the most exciting. We did amazing event. It was very hard. Uh, well, the first thing, why we did it. So we saw that we have a space for something new and, uh, why not to gain more experience. And, uh, there were quite amazing, uh, Italian stakeholders, uh, who, who went to Latitude, who went to Tech Chill or even Slash.
Like, why don't we have Something, you know, Italian market as itself. It's like, I don't know, 60, 40 million. So it's a huge country. So why don't we have anything similar? And so they were starting to think and they went to tech too. I was like, okay, this is something cool. We started to talk. And so we actually started from the partnership and for us, just the space in mind and in time to do it.
Ben: And. Why did you stop?
Annija Mezgaile: Uh, a couple of reasons because, um, [00:13:00] it was hard to, it's, it's impossible to build a community, uh, without the internal builders. So, uh, cause you had to build it all the year around, be present, get to know people. And, uh, it was a bit, it wasn't, it was not possible for us. But also, yeah, as you said, the cultures are very different, not only cultures, but also the markets.
And it's so interesting. I could write an essay about Italians and not in the best way, actually in the kind of sociological, how you say, whatever way. Uh, cause, uh, what the history means for a person we are now, how different we see things. It's amazing. And you know, we're, we're Europeans. It's like, um, maybe from China, we are Europeans, but in Europe, we are, we're, [00:14:00] we're the very different.
And, uh, it's just, it was so interesting for us and experience and, and we were very appreciated from startup founder side. It felt so sweet. They saw what we're doing and, uh, it's, it was, they understood it immediately. The reason why I would think it was harder for investors. Actually, that audience was tougher for us because they have this, uh, culture of investments, investors very different than in the Baltics.
Yeah. Something like that. Didn't know. Um, but no. So your question.
Ben: It does. Of course. I was, you know, curious to know what happened there. We see a lot of, uh, Um, similar in initiatives by events and even from the region, like you mentioned, like, for example, Latitude, uh, is also out there doing events in other geographies.
Um, I, I know that, uh, TechArena is looking at it. Slush [00:15:00] has an entire program around this. So I'm not really surprised that you will go that path. It was more like that the first one or first big one, uh, will be in Northern Italy. That was a bit more surprising. Do you have anything similar in the pipe for the future or that's not really what you're doing now?
You're focused on the Baltics and really like your mandate to solve. So one of the ecosystem
Annija Mezgaile: and actually one of the really answer maybe the, the most important for us, one of the things why maybe we didn't continue with Tech Milano though it was, it was a good event, uh, because we understood. We understood that everything we do has to, uh, have to strengthen the Baltic ecosystem.
And it can be many things, but what makes sense for our investors, talents or, or startups. And that was a bit of the stretch because of the, it's quite far and, uh, yeah, markets are different, but, uh, uh, what makes sense. Now, for [00:16:00] us, it's definitely Ukraine, uh, and there are many, like, uh, many reasons behind, uh, firstly, we, um, we know what an evil is Russia and, uh, we, cause I lived in that time.
My mom lived in that time and, uh, we are very passionate about it, that it's, it's wrong in all the way. So we, as a tech ecosystem are looking, how can we contribute? Uh, to this and also, uh, Ukrainian, um, uh, ecosystem, actually, though the country is also huge, the ecosystem is quite small and in early stages, though they have.
Amazing pool of talents. They have amazing developers, engineers. So it's, uh, from now it's changing from development to product to biz owning a business, it's a bit of the mindset change and, uh, [00:17:00] that's, uh, we're looking to. Of the ways, how can we help them? Uh, and this connection is, uh, not only because of the war, but this connection with Ukrainians is so much more make sense for us.
Cause We understand each other quite well because of the, you know, history and stuff and, and, and, uh, yeah, so we did last year, uh, quite nice, uh, trip to Kiev and actually, uh, we went there also for community building. We brought there, uh, 30 something tech people from Latvia. Uh, we went there with a convoy of cars, uh, guys, you have to try it once.
It's an experience. It's amazing and it's such so each car has walkie talkie. Then, no, no, you feel like in the movie, then through the, uh, through, uh, to the Latvian border, we were in the middle of day, like 10 o'clock rush hour, we were escorted by [00:18:00] police, like sirens, everybody, all the city stops and you just go through.
We felt like in a James Bond movie. So, uh, we were bringing donated cars, driving them over there to donate, uh, they were quite shitty cars because, um, all the cars, well, they work properly, but old ones, cause they use it just in a battlefield. They don't care.
Ben: Yeah.
Annija Mezgaile: Until it drives.
Ben: Yeah. And the less, uh, let's say technical or like digital, the easier it is to maintain.
Annija Mezgaile: So, uh, we went there, we donated cars. Of course, we met with the military people, with a ambassador, Latvian ambassador in Ukraine. So quite emotional, all the journey. And it was amazing trip to get to know the guys around that we went with. But we organized there a community building event and, um, in, um, co working space.
And it means so much for them. That we show up [00:19:00] and we met now, we know so many founders, community builders, we know funds, uh, there, so we want to do something together. There's something on my mind, which is maybe too fast to kind of tell, but this could be our first thing and we want on board government sector hours.
Kind of, you know, guys just have to freaking do something, you know. Uh, I know that Estonians do a lot. Amazing.
Ben: I think it's, um, from, uh, from let's say Western Europe, you know, you, you, you look at the region, even though I don't want to make it too simple, but it's true that, uh, we, we look at the region and be like, okay, there's Baltics, like Baltics, Nordics, kind of, you know, Northern, even though it's not the same, you know, right?
There's a new Nordic term that's been coined. Yeah,
Annija Mezgaile: it's a fancy way. I'm like, I don't have this complex if you're saying it's Eastern Europe, like I'm okay with that.
Ben: I was about to say that the other is CE, so Central Eastern [00:20:00] Europe is kind of where also you have this natural kind of connection, right?
And, um, and this is an area that most Western, uh, European investor don't know anything about.
Annija Mezgaile: Mm hmm.
Ben: And maybe on the other side, it's a bit different, but, uh, it's certainly, you know, an area where there's a lot of, uh, disconnected a lot of missed, uh, I guess, opportunity that brings me to another question.
I want to ask you, um, on the role of the European union in supporting entrepreneurs and startups. And I saw you recently wrote about the initiative around creating a new business regime for startups that would be available throughout Europe. Can you share with me kind of what is your take on this and maybe your role as a community leader?
Annija Mezgaile: So, uh, I was just very nicely surprised and I'd say inspired by the speech of, um, European commission president, um, Ursula, uh, she was just clearly, that was like a 20 minute speech, [00:21:00] basically only about tech, um, companies, how we can, uh, that is our still not fully, um, used opportunity in Europe. And, um, I have talked with some American investors and quite a few of them say, invest in Europe?
No, it's like, it's hard. And I'm quite sure that one of the reasons why they say, cause each country has different regulations. And, you know, it's so sad if they meet, uh, investor meets amazing company. Like awesome team and founders, they are ready to invest, but then, you know, they look at the regulations and whatever it is, and they back out or, uh, a lot of times, uh, founders, companies have to relocate, but so the, uh, um, president, the European commission president was Exactly highlighting this [00:22:00] and acknowledging that this is a problem, uh, that, uh, they, uh, will work, uh, on the, um, in the special group that they're building on the how to, how can I say, how to overcome these differences and what kind of regulations and laws can be across the Europe.
And I have no clue how can you do it. But if they, if she said it loudly and talked about, you know, the potential of, uh, of companies who can scale, uh, it's, it's awesome.
Ben: Yeah, sure. It is.
Annija Mezgaile: It's of course, like what will come out of it? Like then you need a crystal ball, you know, I bet she doesn't know it either, but you know, to say it on a stage to the world, that's, that's encouraging.
Ben: Um, we're getting to the end of the, this, uh, interview. Um, I was wondering maybe if you could, uh, Tell me what you are looking for the [00:23:00] most here at TechShare this year. Like, what is your, I don't know, top, uh, session or activity?
Annija Mezgaile: Actually, uh, this year we made quite a few switches, which were stressful because everything that you try something new, you're like always hoping it's going to work out, but you never know.
But, uh, one of the things that we've changed, um, again, we are thinking about our audience. That's what like I'm putting the audience first from whatever side it is. Uh, but, uh, so if you're coming, if you're coming to textile, um, it's, uh, that means that you are start a funder or team member or something from the Baltics and, uh, or you are investor who invests in the region or looking to invest cause I hear, so I made quite a few investors.
Yes, we invest in, um, Baltics and Latvia. How many companies have you invested trying to invest in the first one? No. And it's awesome that they at least, uh, uh, put this region on the kind of agenda. [00:24:00] So that's why, uh, one of the main criteria is to apply to our pitch competition was to be closely related to the Baltics.
And I don't want to kind of promise, but I'm quite sure we are the only, that kind of the size startup competition only restricted to Baltic companies.
Ben: How many applications did you get?
Annija Mezgaile: Yes. Exactly. This was the first year and it felt so, like, so right to do it. And then we're like, Oh, the Baltics are actually the small and early stage companies.
So we got 167, which we are quite proud for the first time, because we needed time to spread the word. So, uh, only, uh, Baltic company is going to be on stage. And, uh, I think we should put effort in. And those founders. So that's, that's excited me. Uh, and, uh, I like to meet those people. I have so many friends already in the ecosystem across.
And it's like, uh, it's like, it [00:25:00] feels like a celebration of, uh, each other, of the people who try, who are not scared. Yeah, it's, it's an exciting place to be.
Ben: Thank you so much for your time. Thank you, Annie. Uh, I'm going to wrap up.
Annija Mezgaile: Ben, awesome. Thank you.
Ben: Where can we find you online? Are you like on LinkedIn?
I'm there. What is your favorite thing? LinkedIn?
Annija Mezgaile: A favorite thing is high as a stretch, but yes, I'm on LinkedIn.
Ben: Thank you so much for your time. It's been great to hear about the evolution of TechShield and the impact you're having on the startup ecosystem. Um, I'm recording this at TechShield 2025 in Riga.
Thanks again to the team for making this possible. Don't forget to subscribe to the Selected podcast for more stories from the people shaping tech and innovation, and see you soon on [00:26:00] Sesame.