Kristīne Irtiševa, post-graduate student at Riga Technical University (RTU) Faculty of Materials Engineering and Applied Chemistry, is researching humus production from high quality peat. Currently humus tests on plants are being conducted.
“I have been researching peat and sapropel with the aim to produce granules from these materials since my undergraduate studies. I figured that an energy efficient method is to produce peat binding agents and add by-products that can be obtained from recycled resources. I am developing an idea to use the valuable substances in peat for soil enrichment. Using specific methods, a concentrated humus solution is obtained from peat. When diluted at certain concentrations, it can be used both by households and farms,” Kristīne Irtiševa explains the origins of her idea. Kristīne has conducted customer surveys in order to identify problems: “Currently we have legal complications since my target customers – Latvian biological farmers are prohibited to use peat for soil enrichment. It can be challenging to define the customer’s problem. A scientist can know a product’s composition, production processes etc., but might struggle finding it’s value.
It is all about the problem that the scientific solution resolves for the customer. I had to change my way of thinking to have a different outlook on my product.” Help from experts matters a lot. Kristīne took her first steps in making the idea happen through RTU scientific study commercialisation training program “Co.Lab” where she gained valuable business insights. “I liked the fact that business specialists were involved in the training program. Each scientist had their own mentor. It provided motivation and support for me. After “Co.Lab” I participated in the “University Incubator” – a project jointly conducted by University of Latvia (LU) and RTU. That was the next step in the development of my idea. I received 5000 Euro financial support to develop my product. I had to define monthly goals and analyse any failures to accomplish them. I was moving forward step by step without even realising it. It is also important to understand how to distribute work – I cannot be an accountant, a manager and a scientist all at once.
You have to trust people and form a team.” Currently Kristīne participates in RTU project’s “Produktu attīstības projekts” (PAP) autumn season prototype development. Her idea is granules made from the solid by-product of humus solution production. The benefit of granules is that soil needs to be processed less often than using a liquid humus solution. Why participate in “incubators”? “The support by mentors is very important – it helps understand market specifics. It is also possible to gain new opportunities and practice solving problems. I couldn’t answer all the questions on my own. I needed someone else’s perspective to see my problem and its’ solution. I believe it is worth participating in “incubators” and grant programs because my way of thinking and perspectives have changed each time I have participated in a new program. This needs to be practised. Firstly, you need to be able to talk to people and understand their needs. Secondly, you need to be confident when presenting your ideas and believe in yourself, but also you shouldn’t ignore criticism. These are the cornerstones for success during the programs and after completing them,” Kristīne explains.
Publication: https://labsoflatvia.com/iedvesmas-stasti/kudra-ka-iespeja