TechChill 2025: FinTech Trends, Hiring Insights & Startup Energy in Riga

TechChill 2025: The Heart of Baltic Startups

Still energized from ICE Barcelona 2025, we arrived in Riga for TechChill—the main tech and startup event in the Baltics. With over 2,000 attendees, legendary afterparties, and even a Finnish sauna parked outside, the event was an unforgettable deep dive into the heart of the Baltic startup ecosystem.

Beyond the excitement and energy, TechChill felt like a buzzing coffee shop where ideas brewed as fast as espressos—founders, startups, and industry leaders coming together to bridge knowledge gaps, sharpen their skills, and expand their networks. And for the Evotym Team, it was an opportunity to do what we do the best—help startups build winning teams.‍

Workshop: Winning Teams – Hire & Onboard Top Talent for Startup Success

Hiring for a startup is like picking the perfect playlist—it sets the tone, determines the vibe, and if done right, keeps everything running smoothly. The right team can be the difference between success and failure, and getting hiring right from the start is essential. At TechChill, Evotym Founder Anastasia Zencika had an opportunity to lead an interactive session to tackle some of the most pressing hiring challenges startups face today.

Here’s what our session explored in depth:

• When is the right time to hire.
• Balancing potential vs. experience – how to surround your most experienced people with enthusiastic talent to achieve the best possible results.
• Crafting job descriptions that actually work – How a clear job description helps you attract and select the right people.
• Finding the right talent – Where to look and how to attract the best candidates.
• Hiring red flags – The warning signs you shouldn’t ignore. How to check and what to look for - who is the right candidate for you.
• Onboarding success metrics – How to measure and refine your onboarding process.

The energy in the room was electric as the audience jumped into real hiring challenges with curiosity and enthusiasm. The Q&A session felt less like a formal discussion and more like a brainstorming session among innovators—diving into tricky topics like hiring friends in startups, making smart recruitment decisions on a tight budget, and the key ingredients for assembling a team that drives success from day one.

More Than a Conference—A Community

At Evotym, we don’t just follow trends—we stay ahead of them. During a session about the future of FinTech and crypto in Latvia, Marine Krasovska, Martins Puke, Tina Luse, Sofian Berrahal pointed out the growing demand for crypto specialists in Latvia, and we’re already laying the groundwork. Marine Krasovska led a fantastic discussion, highlighting the impressive collaboration between a Latvian bank and the FinTech Association—showing how financial institutions and startups can work hand in hand to drive innovation. Additionally, Tina Luse emphasized the importance of onboarding new companies, not just as a formality but as a crucial step in their success.

Reconnecting with familiar faces and still discovering something new is always a standout moment. Martins Sulte from Mintos shared how his company navigated challenges, underscoring the importance of a strong team and expert support.One story that truly stood out was about a team member returning after three layoffs—a real testament to perseverance, strong leadership, and the kind of company culture that makes people want to come back, no matter what.

As part of the discussion, Marijus Planciunas from Paysera also shared how they build ‘tribes’ within their company—small, tightly-knit teams that work together with efficiency and purpose. This approach resonated with us at Evotym, as we’re currently working with several clients to build entire teams from the ground up, ensuring they have the right mix of skills and collaboration to thrive. Hearing these real-world experiences reinforced just how critical team dynamics are to long-term success.

The Evotym Team is actively building a community of experienced crypto professionals and FinTech experts who are making their mark in the crypto space. When the crypto boom in Latvia happens, we won’t just be watching—we’ll be ready to connect top talent with businesses that need them most.

The Spirit of TechChill: Innovation, Connections & Growth

TechChill isn’t just about workshops, insightful discussions, and engaging panels. It’s about connecting with startups, founders, and innovators who are turning their FinTech visions into reality. The event’s atmosphere—fueled by passionate tech enthusiasts and dedicated volunteers—created an environment where every conversation felt both inspiring and high-minded, whether it was an in-depth hiring discussion or a laid-back chat over coffee.

Thinking back on our time at TechChill, one thing is crystal clear—having the right people on your team is more critical than ever in the fast-moving world of FinTech. The Evotym Team is  excited to continue these conversations and help more startups navigate hiring in a way that sets them up for long-term success.

If you’re scaling your FinTech company and need support in finding and onboarding the right talent, Evotym Team is here to help. The right team makes all the difference.

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