Every month, during a Coffee Break, we dive into the stories of EIC innovators and get a glimpse of the persons behind the startups and research projects. Our guest for today is Madara Kalnina-Kalnmale, CEO of LightSpace Technologies and selected participant for CES and Arab Health under the EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme 2.0. LightSpace Technologies is a deep-tech company with its own R&D laboratories, industrialization and fabrication facilities, developing key technologies for the next generation of augmented reality. Find out more about Madara's story in this month’s EIC Coffee Break.
Tell us how the idea for your innovation started. Was it something that was bouncing in the back of your head for a long time?
Well, this is not a typical story, in which the idea was raised in just one night and was already implemented by next morning. It was a long way, a lot of R&D and know-how has been created before LightSpace started to work on augmented reality glasses and developed the first AR headset, which provides an outstanding image quality as well as the necessary precision to finally be used, not only for entertainment, but also for professional use cases.
How did your family respond to your ideas/innovation?
Our innovator at LightSpace is our CTO Ilmars Osmanis, who is also the founder of the company. He is a man, who thinks beyond boundaries and with no limits. I still remember how he onboards new teammates with the following phrase: Do you remember your physics lessons? Forget them. Think beyond.
And, of course, all our families accept the way we develop our innovation and the hours that we spend at work, as they know that we are going to deliver something outstanding.
Who or what has shaped where you are?
I personally joined the LightSpace team 2 years ago, but I have worked very close to the company already from the very beginning, given that LightSpace was a spin off from the company HansaMatrix, which I had already joined 7 years ago (initially, as a Material Engineer and a Product Project Manager later). So, I have always been very close to LightSpace, following its developments.
Can you tell us about a tough moment you had at your company and how you pushed through?
Well, actually this is a tough moment for LightSpace, as the situation in Europe is unstable and has a huge impact on the investment sector. LightSpace, unfortunately, did not close its series A round being of course a deep tech and due to the region, which right now is not in the best location.
What advice can you give people who are currently playing with the idea of starting a company?
Remember that once you start your own company, you will never sleep again. I’m joking of course, but sometimes it is true. It’s like a baby that you have to care about. On the other hand, it gives you a huge satisfaction once the company achieves its milestones.
What are you currently reading and what book inspired you the most?
I am reading technical data sheets, following the product development. Joke and true at the same time. Once you are a CEO, at least from my experience, there is no time for personal things or even time to read a book. However, I am a new CEO, so I believe I will learn how to manage my time and separate my private life from work. For now, it remains the same.
If you could talk business over lunch with a large corporate CEO or global leader, which one would you choose and why?
Elon Musk, of course. The way he works, and how much he is dedicated to his ideas, it is something I admire and truly inspires me. He still worries about everything around him and constitutes an example for his team.
DISCLAIMER: This information is provided in the interest of knowledge sharing and should not be interpreted as the official view of the European Commission, or any other organisation.