NETWORKING AND BUILDING CONNECTIONS

Lithuania Participant and organiser profiles

Participant and organiser profiles for startup events in Lithuania

Lithuania hosts a variety of startup events that bring together key participants from different sectors. Below is an overview of typical participants and organisers for each major event, showcasing their industry relevance and influence.

Startup Fair Vilnius

  • Overview: Startup Fair Vilnius is Lithuania’s largest annual startup event, organised by Startup Lithuania. It attracts over 2,000 participants and more than 430 investors across Europe. The event features keynotes, networking sessions, and Pitch Battles, positioning itself as the primary international startup event in the Baltic States.
  • Typical participants:
    • Early-stage startup founders: individuals or teams seeking investment and partnerships.
    • Investors: over 430 investors attend, including venture capitalists, angel investors, and corporate investors focused on early-stage tech startups.
    • Entrepreneurs and industry experts: these attendees often share their experiences in panel discussions and networking events.
    • Government and innovation bodies: representatives from Startup Lithuania and other national organizations supporting entrepreneurship.
  • Key organisers:
    • Startup Lithuania: The primary organiser, a governmental body aimed at fostering the growth of startups in Lithuania by offering resources, support, and promotion at international levels.
    • Local and regional authorities: these include government departments that are involved in innovation and investment facilitation.
  • Industry relevance and influence:
    • The event plays a crucial role in positioning Lithuania as a key startup hub in the Baltic region, supporting its growing tech ecosystem and increasing international interest. The heavy participation of investors boosts the event’s credibility and its role in advancing the Lithuanian startup ecosystem.

Impact’25

  • Overview: Impact’25 gathers investors, innovators, and startup founders, with a focus on tech innovation, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. The event features discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities centered around digital transformation and technology investments.
  • Typical participants:
    • Investors: primarily venture capitalists and angel investors interested in the digital transformation and technology sectors.
    • Tech startups: founders of companies working on emerging technologies in AI, machine learning, and digital platforms.
    • Entrepreneurs and industry leaders: those leading high-tech companies.
    • Government representatives: policymakers and representatives from innovation and economic development agencies.
  • Key organisers:
    • Impact Foundation: the organiser behind Impact’25, known for its work supporting digital transformation, tech startups, and investment in innovative sectors.
  • Industry relevance and influence:
    • Impact’25 is crucial in showcasing Lithuania’s growing role in the digital economy, particularly for sectors like fintech, AI, and digital platforms. It bridges the gap between startups and investors, fostering the development of high-tech solutions.

Startup Meetup Vilnius

  • Overview: organised by Startup Lithuania, these meetups are informal, regular gatherings designed to provide networking opportunities, share startup experiences, and discuss trends in the local startup ecosystem.
  • Typical participants:
    • Startup founders and entrepreneurs: local founders who are looking to discuss challenges and share their startup journeys.
    • Investors: often early-stage investors or those looking to connect with local startups.
    • Tech professionals: developers, marketers, and business developers working in or supporting startups.
  • Key organisers:
    • Startup Lithuania: a central organisation in the Lithuanian startup ecosystem, offering support to entrepreneurs and helping to connect them with investors and experts.
  • Industry relevance and influence:
    • As a regular and accessible event, Startup Meetup Vilnius fosters the growth of Lithuania’s startup ecosystem by encouraging local collaboration and helping startups access resources, advice, and connections.

Startup Week

  • Overview: Startup Week is a global initiative held in Vilnius, where local entrepreneurs and experts gather to discuss challenges and opportunities within the startup ecosystem. The event is part of a larger global network of Startup Week events.
  • Typical participants:
    • Startup founders: local entrepreneurs who come together to learn from one another.
    • Local investors: those looking to support early-stage companies.
    • Mentors and experts: including those in the areas of scaling businesses, marketing, and fundraising.
    • Students and aspiring entrepreneurs: often participants in the workshops and discussions.
  • Key organisers:
    • Global Startup Week: the initiative is globally coordinated with local chapters in various cities, including Vilnius.
    • Local partners and community organisers: local organisations and volunteer groups often help plan and execute the event.
  • Industry relevance and influence:
    • Startup Week plays an important role in fostering entrepreneurship in Lithuania by providing a platform for knowledge exchange and networking. It offers significant visibility to both early-stage and growing startups.

Hack4Vilnius

  • Overview: Hack4Vilnius is a hackathon that aims to solve urban challenges using innovative technology. It brings together tech enthusiasts, developers, and entrepreneurs to develop solutions for urban issues in Vilnius.
  • Typical participants:
    • Tech professionals and developers: software engineers, data scientists, and developers interested in urban innovation.
    • Entrepreneurslooking to bring their ideas to life through collaboration and prototyping.
    • Government representatives and urban planners, focused on urban development and technology integration.
  • Key organisers:
    • Vilnius City Municipality: the local government is a key organiser, reflecting its commitment to improving urban living through tech solutions.
    • Various tech and innovation partners: including local incubators, accelerators, and tech firms that support the event.
  • Industry relevance and influence:
    • Hack4Vilnius plays an important role in linking the tech community with urban planning initiatives, positioning Lithuania as a leader in innovation and smart city development. It also serves as a model for how technology can address societal challenges.

These events provide essential platforms for learning, networking, and collaborating, facilitating connections between startups and investors, and contributing to the development of a strong and dynamic startup ecosystem in Lithuania.