Victor Lozinski, Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at LeverX, discusses the strategic opening of the Riga office and the future of SAP integration.
*The original article was published at Latviesi.com
"You cannot change your homeland. You can change your job, your place of residence, even your spouse, but not your parents and your roots," says Victor Lozinski, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board at LeverX, a technology company from Silicon Valley, USA.
In mid-2025, he returned to Latvia — not as an emigrant moving back for good, but as someone who wants to contribute to Latvia's economic development through his experience, vision, and entrepreneurial leadership. His company, LeverX, opened a branch in Riga, the city where Victor began his professional journey.
Riga – Heidelberg – Silicon Valley
Victor's story begins in Riga, where he earned a degree in mechanical and electrical engineering from Riga Technical University in the 1980s. "Back then, it was a new industry, almost utopian. There was even an idea to build a robot factory in Riga," he recalls. After his studies, Victor had worked at the VEF factory and later entered postgraduate studies at the university. His path then led him to Germany during the collapse of the Soviet Union, which opened new opportunities. Through the German Academic Exchange Service, Victor went to Heidelberg to gain international experience.
"While in Germany, I initially thought about becoming a scientist. But the path gradually changed," says Victor. Funding for research ran out, so he looked for work in the IT industry, which led him to SAP. At that time, SAP was still growing, but it was already an influential German business software company.
At SAP, he worked on Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, becoming an early pioneer in architecting PLM workflows within the SAP ecosystem. "It wasn't just programming,” he explains. “It was thinking about the process: how a company works, produces, delivers, and evolves."
Victor acknowledges that the education he received in Riga was competitive and of a high standard. "I could prove myself in Germany and compete with the professionals there. There were even situations where locals were concerned: how is it that a young guy from Latvia is going to teach us something?"
After four years in Germany, SAP offered him a three-year stint in Silicon Valley, USA. "At the time, I thought: fine, I'll go, work, and come back. But that place really pulls you in. If you are a software person, where else would you go to develop?" he says.
Consequently, he lived in Silicon Valley for 23 years instead of three. During this time, he saw how ideas are formed, how startups take risks, and how decisions are made in café conversations rather than boardrooms. "There are people there who don't just look at what can be done today, but what can be built in the next 10 years," Victor reveals.
LeverX: A Global Knowledge Transfer Network
In 2003, Victor decided to start his own path. "I realized that if I ever want to build my own company, I have to start now," he says, emphasizing that it is when you are young. Initially, the company consisted of him and a few colleagues. Now, LeverX employs over 2,200 professionals in more than 10 countries.
LeverX helps companies worldwide digitalize processes, improve supply chain management, and adapt AI tools for business. However, it is not just about IT — it is a whole change management business. "We are like external brain centers. Clients need a partner who understands what is changing right now and knows how to guide these changes in the right direction," says Victor.
The company operates in the USA, Europe, and Central Asia, but it was clear to Victor: a LeverX branch was needed in Latvia as well.
The first attempt to open an office in Latvia was in 2019. However, bureaucratic obstacles, including challenges opening a bank account, hindered it. Then the COVID-19 pandemic began. Meanwhile, the company established offices in Lithuania, Poland, and Germany. But Latvia remained on the "to-do" list.
In 2025, everything changed. "Riga is the city where I became an engineer. This isn't just another LeverX office — it’s a personal decision," says Victor.
The grand opening at the Kempinski Hotel became the first event of its scale in the company's history, attended by representatives from the USA, China, Kazakhstan, Austria, and other countries. The Riga office serves as a strategic platform for the Baltics and Nordic countries.
Helping Latvian Talent Evolve
"Latvia is a land of smart people. Furthermore, Latvians are multilingual, which is a big bonus. But that alone isn't enough; you need an environment where talent can grow. No one will develop a business in Latvia if it isn't economically viable," Victor emphasizes.
One of the problems he sees in Latvia is the tax burden on labor: "It’s not just about high salaries. The problem is in the system: how taxes are structured. If the state wants people to stay here and develop businesses, the system must be adapted."
Regarding Latvia's competitiveness in the global tech sector, Victor is cautious. He believes Latvia shouldn't try to become the next Silicon Valley or compare itself to others. "But we can become ourselves a technological, bold, future-oriented country. There is potential in Latvia's people."
Latvian Identity: Not Just in the Passport
Latvian identity, in his view, is the foundation of everything. From it comes discipline, curiosity, and a sense of responsibility. Abroad, people might stand up and sing "Kur tu teci, gailīti mans?" (Where are you running, my rooster?), which unites people perhaps even more than when they are at home. "In Latvia, maybe they don't do that, but outside it, the song becomes something more: a connection and a sense of belonging," adds Victor.
Although he lives in the USA, Victor actively participates in Latvia's professional environment, collaborating with universities and tech communities. "Latvia is not just the country where I was born. It’s part of how I think. Latvia shapes my view on innovation and strengthens my responsibility and leadership."
Currently, Victor lives in Miami, but he visits Latvia several times a year. He recharges through running: "I run a lot. And there is no better place for that than Jurmala beach. When you run, you don't think about anything. It's like clearing your mind."
In conclusion, when asked what kind of Latvia he would like to see in 10 to 20 years, he expresses a conviction that Latvia must be a place where young people want to stay, knowing there are jobs, opportunities for development, and a respectful society: "I want a Latvia where innovation is not just a slogan, but a reality. A Latvia that can stand beside anyone — with pride and tangible results."
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