New Partnerships, Fresh Inspiration & a Shared Vision for Innovation in Lisbon

This visit took place in Lisbon (11–14 April 2023) and brought together leaders, institutions, and entrepreneurs from both countries to strengthen economic cooperation and open new export opportunities.

Read more via the official Latvian President’s Office

Luula was represented by founder and owner Kalvis Sokolovs and lead designer Inga Sokolova, travelling to Lisbon not only to build international partnerships—but also with genuine curiosity and openness to new ideas.

A Trade Mission that Opened Doors Alongside the official state visit programme, the Latvian delegation took part in business meetings designed to expand cooperation with Portuguese partners.

According to the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), President Levits was accompanied by a delegation of 34 Latvian entrepreneurs, representing different industries and export potential. Official LIAA release

At the conclusion of the mission, LIAA published a summary highlighting the value of meetings, new contacts, and strengthened ties between Latvian and Portuguese companies

A similar overview is also available on Latvia’s official business environment portal

For Luula, this mission became a real turning point:

✨ New business contacts were established with Portuguese companies ✨ Luula products are now available in several children’s stores in Portugal ✨ New ideas were sparked for product development and creative collaborations

Portugal–Latvia Business Forum: A Shared Focus on Growth One of the key highlights in Lisbon was the Portugal–Latvia Business Forum, where entrepreneurs and institutions from both countries gathered to explore concrete cooperation opportunities.

On the Portuguese side, the business forum was featured with an official agenda page on Portugal Exporta, including programme details and partners such as AICEP: portugalexporta.pt

Visiting Portugal’s Innovation Ecosystem A special part of Luula’s experience in Lisbon was meeting innovative teams and learning from Portugal’s energetic entrepreneurship environment.

During the mission, we also had the opportunity to visit a Lisbon business incubator and meet young companies, exchanging ideas about product concepts, innovation and future collaborations.

These moments reminded us how powerful it is to see how different cultures approach design, technology and education—and how much we can learn when we connect across borders.

Inspiration Beyond Business Yes—this journey brought new opportunities and partnerships. But it also gave something equally valuable: creative inspiration.

Luula has always believed that children’s environments should be more than practical. They should feel safe, empowering, playful, and thoughtfully designed—spaces where imagination grows naturally.

Lisbon inspired us in countless ways:

the balance of tradition and modern life

the warmth of community spaces and family culture

the simplicity and beauty in everyday details

the natural connection between design, sustainability and lifestyle

It encouraged us to think not only about products, but about bigger questions:

How can we help create children’s spaces that support emotional wellbeing, creativity and learning?

Connecting with Latvians Building Businesses in Portugal One of the most inspiring parts of the mission was meeting Latvian entrepreneurs who have built their lives and businesses in Portugal.

Their stories were filled with courage, reinvention and creativity—bringing fresh perspectives on how ideas travel and grow internationally.

These conversations gave us new inspiration for:

future Luula product development

a broader conceptual approach to children’s interiors

new collaboration ideas, including with children’s education specialists

Looking Ahead: New Concepts & Collaborations This trade mission became more than a business trip—it became a creative milestone.

Luula returned from Portugal with:

* ideas for new collections * concepts for collaboration projects with children’s education specialists * a renewed vision for thoughtful children’s interiors and design solutions

The journey confirmed something we strongly believe in:

Great design is not only created at a desk—it is discovered through people, places and meaningful conversations.

Thank You, Lisbon 🇵🇹 We are truly grateful for this opportunity and for everyone we met during the mission—from Portuguese partners and startup founders to fellow Latvians abroad.

Most of all, we are proud to represent Luula and Latvian design internationally—bringing our passion for children’s spaces to new families and new futures.

Portugal has inspired what comes next. Stay tuned.