2026-03-25

Creating a Better Neighbourhood: Upcoming Site Maintenance Works

Starting from March 2026, Saulėtekio Tech Park plans to begin environmental maintenance works on the land plots located at Saulėtekio Ave. 9, 9A, and Žirgo St. 4, Vilnius. Our goal [...]

Starting from March 2026, Saulėtekio Tech Park plans to begin environmental maintenance works on the land plots located at Saulėtekio Ave. 9, 9A, and Žirgo St. 4, Vilnius. Our goal is to make this area cleaner, safer, and more pleasant for everyone passing by.

Planned works:

Removal of low-value shrubs, bushes, and trees (with a trunk diameter not exceeding 12 cm at a height of 1.3 m);
Cleaning the site of litter and accumulated waste;
Removal of wind-damaged, broken, or fallen trees.

The aim of these works is to create a safe, tidy, and visually appealing environment for the community. To ensure minimal disturbance, the works will be carried out on weekdays only, in compliance with established noise regulations.

We want these changes to be smooth and well-received by the community, so if you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

Contact information:
Tel.: +370 615 47 865

Email: info@ssmtp.lt

Thank you for your understanding as we improve our surroundings.

Kind regards,

Saulėtekio Tech Park team

2026-03-16

The 28th Regime – for all European companies

The European DIGITAL SME Alliance, of which Sunrise Tech Park is a member, has brought together a coalition of around 200 companies and associations and launched the “28 for All” [...]

The European DIGITAL SME Alliance, of which Sunrise Tech Park is a member, has brought together a coalition of around 200 companies and associations and launched the “28 for All” campaign to express its position on the proposed “28th regime.” Sunrise Tech Park has also joined the campaign.

The “28 for All” campaign calls on the European Union and its Member States to take ambitious and swift action on the 28th regime proposal. This legislation could become the most significant EU business reform in more than two decades, and therefore should be treated as a top priority.

Representatives of European business organisations and companies outline three key conditions for the system to truly work:

The 28th regime must be established through a regulation;
The regime must be open to all European companies;
It must be simple enough for any company to register under it.

A strong ecosystem of European companies is Europe’s most powerful lever for competitiveness. However, it is still complex and costly for companies to expand into other EU countries within the Single Market, making it difficult for European businesses to scale up quickly.

The upcoming 28th regime proposal is therefore critically important. A single corporate legal framework across all 27 Member States could finally deliver what the Single Market has long promised: consistent and predictable rules for companies operating across borders.

The signatories call on the EU and its Member States to ensure that the 28th regime is:

Open to all. Regardless of sector, company size, or date of establishment. Restricting it only to startups or companies considered innovative would contradict the purpose of a Single Market instrument. Every company should have the opportunity to choose European company status.
A regulation. Any legal form that would need to be transposed into national law would recreate the same fragmentation this reform seeks to eliminate. Therefore, only a regulation can ensure direct and harmonised application.
Simple. Registering under the 28th regime should be at least as simple as under existing national systems. The “once-only” and “digital-by-default” principles should therefore be mandatory.

The time has come to turn promises of strengthening competitiveness into concrete action. The campaign’s signatories stand ready to work with EU institutions and Member States to ensure that the 28th regime becomes the transformative framework Europe needs.

The full campaign statement and the list of signatories can be found at 28forall.eu. European companies and business organisations that still wish to support the campaign can express their support on the website.

2026-03-13

The Legacy of "Seeds of Bravery": A Triumph of Ukrainian Resilience and European Tech

Two and a half years after its inception, the monumental "Seeds of Bravery" project is preparing for its final landing, with just 20 days left until its official conclusion at the end [...]

Two and a half years after its inception, the monumental "Seeds of Bravery" project is preparing for its final landing, with just 20 days left until its official conclusion at the end of March. While the original dream was to celebrate the project's culmination in Kyiv, Warsaw proudly stepped up to become a vital home for both the initiative and Ukrainian deep tech startups. Despite the emotionally demanding circumstances of the full-scale invasion, the project has emerged as a profound success, driven by an unprecedented level of commitment from its partners.

Smashing Targets and Empowering Innovators

The initiative set out to support hundreds of Ukrainian deep tech startups, and the tangible results have been staggering. Project leaders proudly reported that they overachieved all of their Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Through the initiative, over €12 million in grants was awarded to more than 300 unique startups, utilizing five different funding tickets that averaged roughly €40,000 per startup. Startups were eligible even if located outside of Ukraine, provided they had a Ukrainian co-founder.

Perhaps the most impressive metric is the momentum these startups have generated: the founders have already leveraged their grants to raise an additional €12 million in private funding, completely matching the distributed grant cash.

Horizon Europe Ready

When "Seeds of Bravery" began, a primary ambition was to prove that the Ukrainian tech ecosystem - including its startup funds and accelerators - was mature enough to participate in Horizon Europe initiatives as an associated country. Today, project leaders confidently state that there is no longer any doubt regarding their readiness. Ukrainian founders proved not only their technological capabilities but their incredible resilience, discovering ways to survive and run successful startups while navigating extraordinary challenges.

A Vital Lesson in Strategic Autonomy for Europe

As the project wraps up its official funding phase, the narrative has shifted toward a broader lesson for the rest of the continent. The closing reflections of the initiative pose a vital question: Can Europe learn from Ukrainian resilience to accelerate its own strategic autonomy?

The Ukrainian tech ecosystem has undeniably proven it is ready to be part of the European research community; now, the challenge is for non-Ukrainians to show they are ready to defend their autonomy and values with the exact same fighting spirit that Ukrainians have demonstrated.

Though the official grant reporting is coming to an end, the partners remain fiercely committed to supporting these innovators moving forward. Project leaders emphasized that "Seeds of Bravery was only the beginning". The call to action for the tech and investment community is clear: keep the networks, investor relationships, and unwavering spirit of the project alive as Europe continues to stand with Ukraine.

2026-02-20

Sunrise Tech Park – among Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2026

For the second year in a row, Sunrise Tech Park has been included in the

For the second year in a row, Sunrise Tech Park has been included in the Financial Times and Statista ranking of Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs.

This recognition means more to us than simply being named in a ranking. It is a sign that Lithuania’s start-up ecosystem is strong, ambitious and increasingly international. It reflects the tangible value our team creates together with innovators, mentors and partners.

We are proud to be part of this European community – and even prouder to help it grow right here in Lithuania.

2026-02-06

Vilnius TechFusion Awards 2025

For the seventh time, Lithuania’s technology sector came together on January 30 for the Vilnius TechFusion Awards 2025 ceremony.

Awards were [...]

For the seventh time, Lithuania’s technology sector came together on January 30 for the Vilnius TechFusion Awards 2025 ceremony.

Awards were presented across eight categories, recognizing outstanding achievements, innovations, and contributions made over the past year to Vilnius’ rapidly growing technology business ecosystem. The jury selected winners from 28 nominees, ranging from breakthrough companies and influential ecosystem voices to organizations building bridges for international talent. The evening celebrated the most prominent players in the sector.

The Early-Stage Star award went to Sintra AI, recognized for securing the largest pre-seed investment in 2025. Tadas Burgaila was named Ecosystem Voice of the Year for his exceptional efforts in promoting startup culture and innovation development in both Lithuanian and international public spaces throughout the past year.

The award for An Unignorable Solution was presented to Atrandi Biosciences, honoring a bold and unconventional decision or solution introduced in 2025.

The Technology for Wellbeing award, established by Saulėtekio Tech Parkas, was awarded to Fivrec. The company was recognized for developing a technology that contributes to decarbonization, green energy, and social impact, helping to build a cleaner and more responsible future.

The Science in Action award was presented to Vilnius Tech for successfully transforming research, academic collaboration, and scientific discoveries into practical solutions that benefit society and accelerate progress in Vilnius and beyond. Meanwhile, Western Union received the Bridge for Talent award for its outstanding role in helping highly skilled international professionals discover Vilnius, feel at home in the city, and spread the word about it globally.

The Rising Vilnius Ambassador award was presented to Nexos.ai for significantly strengthening Vilnius’ global visibility and actively positioning the city as a hub for technology, innovation, talent, and investment, thereby enhancing its international reputation.

“These awards, which have now become a tradition, allow us to see and evaluate the change that has taken place over the past year — how much has been accomplished in the technology sector, what results have been achieved, and which names have shone the brightest. They are, in a way, the startup ‘Oscars’ of the capital, and we are rightfully proud of them,” said Mangirdas Šapranauskas, Head of Business at Go Vilnius, the city’s tourism and business development agency.

According to Laima Balčiūnė, Director of Saulėtekio Tech Parkas, the past year saw the growth of large-scale projects, strengthening of real infrastructure, and a clearer path for technologies becoming an integral part of the everyday economy.

“2025 was a year in Lithuania’s CleanTech sector when ambition increasingly turned into implementation. While tangible solutions are already visible, much of the breakthrough is happening in pilots and testing phases, where technologies are validated in real-world conditions, technical requirements are aligned, data is collected, and integration challenges are addressed. It is precisely at this stage that ideas turn into scalable solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, circular economy and resource management, and industrial process modernization,” Balčiūnė noted.

According to Gintarė Verbickaitė, CEO of Unicorns Lithuania, the country is currently home to more than 1,100 startups, with the sector standing out for its high productivity, rapid growth, and willingness to experiment.

“The vast majority of Lithuanian startups operate globally and are export-oriented from day one. In terms of focus areas, the ecosystem demonstrates strong competencies in fintech, cybersecurity, e-commerce platforms, and deep tech, as well as the ability to reach private consumers worldwide,” said Verbickaitė.

She also highlighted that Lithuania’s startup sector includes a significant number of companies that have already moved beyond the early growth stage and generate high added value. Excluding unicorns, around 30 companies generate more than €20 million in annual revenue, with several exceeding €100 million. Notably, many of these companies grew organically, without venture capital or other external investment.

“The development of Lithuania’s startup ecosystem in 2025 is reflected not only in investment figures but also in the growing talent pool, which has reached nearly 20,000 professionals — 5% more than in 2024. Startup-paid taxes also increased: during the first three quarters of 2025 alone, startups operating in Lithuania paid €420.9 million in taxes, a 17% increase compared to the previous year,” Verbickaitė emphasized.

The Vilnius TechFusion Awards were first launched in 2019 by Go Vilnius together with its partners, with the aim of fostering innovation and recognizing the contribution of technology companies to the city’s and country’s economic growth. This year, Go Vilnius, together with Unicorns Lithuania and Saulėtekio Tech Parkas, brought leaders of the technology business ecosystem together at the AC Hotel Marriott.

2026-02-06

Green Grid is launching its first open call

Green Grid is now accepting applications for PowerBoost, offering a 2000€ lump sum for SMEs to carry out an internal innovation audit. This is your chance to identify your biggest energy-related challenges and turn [...]

The funding supports improvements in areas such as process efficiency, digital transformation, renewable energy integration, and smarter resource use.

💡 To be eligible, applicants must be SMEs legally registered for at least one year, with at least one approved financial year, and operating in sectors relevant to the green transition, such as energy-intensive industries.

Once challenges are clearly defined, you can take the next step by submitting them to the GreenGrid Challenge Hunt to find solutions in collaboration with startups or apply for pilot funding through Solution Box!

Learn more & apply 👉🏼 https://greengridcluster.eu/

Submissions close on April 3 at 23:59 EEST.

2026-02-06

Startup World Cup 2025

For the second year in a row, the Startup World Cup competition in Lithuania was organized by Saulėtekio Tech Parkas. Traditionally, the national selection event took place during [...]

For the second year in a row, the Startup World Cup competition in Lithuania was organized by Saulėtekio Tech Parkas. Traditionally, the national selection event took place during LOGIN, the largest innovation and technology community gathering in the Baltic States.

Startup World Cup regional qualifiers were held in more than 70 regions worldwide, with winners and top finalists invited to the Grand Final in Silicon Valley, San Francisco. The main prize reached USD 1 million, but for many participants, the greatest value lay in the opportunity to connect with Silicon Valley investors, international startups, and global technology leaders. The Grand Final also featured a conference and networking expos attended by C-level executives from leading global companies. The main organizer, Pegasus Tech Ventures, has an investment portfolio that includes companies such as SpaceX, Airbnb, and X, making participation in this ecosystem and access to high-level networks exceptionally valuable for startups.

In 2025, two Lithuanian startups reached the global final: BrachyDose, winners of the Baltic regional final organized by Saulėtekio Tech Parkas, and Traxlo, a member of the Park’s community, which won the Czech regional qualifier. Both startups earned a place among the world’s top 90 startups. Their participation in a competition of this global scale once again highlighted the value created by the community and demonstrated the international competitiveness of Lithuanian startups.

2026-01-19

€1.2 Million for Women Innovators: WE-RISE Opens Its Second Call for Deep-Tech Startups

The EU-funded WE-RISE initiative supports women-led startups at the forefront of Europe’s green and digital transition. Coordinated by Fast Track Ventures (Portugal) in collaboration with G-Force (Slovakia), Bpifrance (France), Toro Ventures (Spain), and Sunrise Tech Park (Lithuania), WE-RISE provides tailored funding, mentorship, and visibility within the European innovation ecosystem. The project offers €1.2 million in non-equity funding and hands-on support to help founders scale their innovations and strengthen their role in Europe’s sustainable future.

WE-RISE launched its first Open Call in March 2025, attracting 267 applications from 43 countries. The strong response showed a clear demand for support among women innovators working in GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech. From these, 20 startups were selected to join the program: Alteva, Alternative Innovation, Kybele’s Garden, Lam’on, H+H Labs PSA, Algbio, Seamoretech SA, reLi Energy, Cropt, Inobiostar, Invisible-Light Labs GmbH, Change Bio, Simbio, Myceen OÜ, P-Agro Minerals, ColorSensing, IBISA, Atom H2 Energy tech S.L., PV2+ GmbH, and Ion Membrane Company. Over 60% of the selected startups came from emerging or widening countries, demonstrating WE-RISE’s commitment to inclusivity and balanced innovation across Europe.

During the first phase, startups focused on foundational growth through training, workshops, and coaching. With the support of dedicated mentors, they developed their Strategic Action Plans (SAPs), defining concrete steps toward scaling, investment readiness, and market expansion. Each participant received an initial grant of €5,000 to engage in activities such as networking, partnership building, and business development.

“Coaching has been the most valuable part of the program, helping us sharpen our communication, identify strategic goals, and translate our technology’s potential into market-oriented milestones,” said Aygen Savaş Alkan, Co-Founder and CEO of Kybele’s Garden. María Mateo Iborra, Co-Founder and CEO of IBISA, added, “Workshops gave my team fresh perspectives, especially those new to startups or fundraising.”

After completing the first stage, 10 startups: Atom H2 Energy tech S.L., Algbio, H+H Labs PSA, reLi Energy, Cropt, Inobiostar, IBISA, Seamoretech SA, Change Bio, and ColorSensing advanced to Phase 2. Each startup advancing to Phase 2 is awarded a €50,000 grant to further scale its innovation. Over the following four months, this stage helps them implement their SAPs through targeted coaching, investor matchmaking, and stakeholder engagement.

Reflecting on their experience, many founders emphasized how WE-RISE helped them build structure and confidence while refining their long-term strategies. As Seda Köksal Yeğin, Co-Founder and CTO of Ion Membranes, summarized, “For us, WE-RISE marks a turning point in our company’s development - a period that can be clearly divided into before and after WE-RISE. It has truly been a milestone for us.”

Building on the success of this first Open Call, WE-RISE opened its Second Call on December 4, 2025, offering another opportunity for women-led deep-tech startups to benefit from dedicated mentoring, financial support, and cross-border collaboration. The deadline to submit applications is February 12, 2026. Those interested are welcome to join the Info Session on January 29th. The program continues to grow a strong community where founders exchange experience, gain visibility, and take confident steps toward scaling their technologies.

More information about the Open Call: https://www.we-rise.eu/open-call-2

2025-12-30

BioBoosters achievements in new publications

BioBoosters, a three-year project dedicated to accelerating the circular transition and involving nine partners across the Baltic Sea Region, has come to a successful conclusion with impressive results. Project partners organized 18 hackathons across various bioeconomy sectors, addressing real-life business challenges. These hackathons attracted 246 applicants from more than 20 countries, who proposed innovative solutions focused on valorising biological resources, optimizing processes, and developing alternative bio-based materials. As a result, the project helped initiate 23 innovation partnerships between challenge providers and participating teams.

Sunrise Tech Park organized two hackathons in collaboration with Cleantech Lithuania members UAB Nando and UAB Toksika. Both hackathons focused on challenges aligned with the EU Soil Mission, aiming to improve soil health and remove harmful contaminants. The participating challenge providers agreed that the BioBoosters hackathons increased the international visibility of their activities and opened up new partnership opportunities. As noted by Gintarė Grybauskaitė-Kaminskienė, R&D Project Manager of UAB Nando, BioBoosters network facilitates international co-operation by connecting companies to tailored solutions and potential strategic partnerships cross-borders. Similarly, Marius Busilas, Development Manager at UAB Toksika, noted that BioBoosters hackathons are distinguished by their strong international reach and excellent organization, opening doors to meaningful and innovative collaborations.

The results of the BioBoosters project are presented in detail in three new publications:

BioBoosters Impact Review 2025 – the laters publication of BioBoosters allows you to discover the stories from Lithuanian and other partner hackathons. The review covers the final round of hackathons addressing challenges in logistics, wood, activated carbon, wine corks, soil health, and apple biomass.

Boosting Circular Transition – another BioBoosters publication shares the lessons learned, and the conclusions of the three-year project. It dives into the value of hackathons as open innovation process, and delves into the origin, explaining how BioBoosters approach differs from the original concept often associated with rapid software development.

A key feature of the BioBoosters model is its business-driven approach, tackling real-life bioeconomy challenges. It focus on creating conditions for lasting cooperation and ensuring continuity beyond the competition. Its international dimension brings together participants from diverse regions and disciplines, enhancing creativity and solution variety.

BioBoosters Hackathon Handbook - How to Be a Biobooster! prepared by project partners, serves as a comprehensive guide for new hackathon organisers, offering step-by-step instructions, explaining the hackathon process and key roles, and supporting effective planning and managing hackathon.

BioBoosters network and its partners are committed to continuing to support the circular bioeconomy with hackathons and other open innovation initiatives connecting researchers, innovators and companies across borders. Contact Sunrise Tech Park to learn more about BioBoosters hackathons.

2025-12-05

Net0Manager training course

We are inviting you to try the Net0Manager training course, which will help you understand the principles of Net0 management, reduce carbon emissions, optimize resource use, apply circular economy principles, and create a more sustainable and competitive business. To address climate change by 2050 and prevent the global average temperature from rising more than 1.5°C, the 2015 Paris Agreement of the United Nations introduced the concept of Net0.

“Net0 means cutting carbon emissions to a small amount of residual emissions that can be absorbed and durably stored by nature and other carbon dioxide removal measures, leaving zero in the atmosphere” (United Nations) To achieve the goal of zero emissions, it is important for companies to broaden their understanding of carbon dioxide so that they not only avoid and reduce CO₂ emissions, but also achieve true zero emissions.
As part of the Erasmus+ project Net0Manager, Sunrise Tech Park, together with its partners, has developed the Net0Manager course - a carbon management training course for entrepreneurs aiming for zero emissions.

Net0Manager training course helps participants:
• understand the principles of Net0 and integrate them into business practices;
• identify and implement carbon reduction solutions;
• optimize energy and resource use by increasing efficiency;
• comply with national and EU environmental requirements and take advantage of their opportunities;
• apply the principles of the circular economy to create a more sustainable business model;
• increase competitiveness and reputation in the market through sustainable practices,

Net0 Manager is a flexible, digital course that provides an interactive and supportive environment for anyone who wants to gain knowledge about Net0 and its management.

The training course is structured in 6 modules:
1 Module – Understanding of Net0 concept
2 Module – Possible Responses and Most Common Measures to Net0
3 Module – Creating a plan for Net0
4 Module – Advantages of becoming Net0
5 Module – Net0 across the value chain
6 Module – Communicating Net0

In each module you will find:
 Interactive presentation (theoretical content, additional resources),
 Practical task,
 Test, reflection space and steps forward,
 Final assessment test for each module section and the entire module.

In the Net0Manager course, a digital microcredential will be automatically released at the end of each unit, module, and ultimately at the end of the course, upon complete review and successful completion (80%) of the final content assessment test.

Instruction for connecting
To join the training course, go to the Net0Manager page, select Net0Manager English and when select "Create a new account". Fill in the requested data and you will receive a login link by e-mail. After going to "Self-registration" (Student), enter the registration password: <-net0man->

Once you have joined the training course, go to any module of interest to you, check the content, try out the tests and other features. Upon completion of the course, training participants will receive microcredentials confirming the acquired competencies. In the Net0Manager Moodle course, a digital microcredential will be automatically issued at the end of each section, module and the entire course, upon successful completion of the assessment test.

Wishing you a successful learning journey!

2025-12-05

“Hack4Vilnius” 2025 hackathon has wrapped up in Vilnius

On October 17–19, the Hack4Vilnius hackathon took place, organized this year by Sunrise Tech Park, VILNIUS TECH, and the newly joined Ignitis Group.

The event was held at VILNIUS TECH’s Creativity and Innovation Center LinkMenų fabrikas, where more than 100 participants gathered: professionals from various fields, students, and school pupils, all eager to contribute to the capital. The teams worked intensively to solve challenges relevant to the city. Now in its eighth year, the hackathon concluded by awarding three winning teams that addressed challenges in waste sorting, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and an AI-powered career advisor.

This year, special attention was given to the energy sector. Participants worked on challenges proposed by Ignitis Group and other companies and institutions in Vilnius. Throughout the hackathon, each team had the opportunity to take part in individual mentoring sessions with selected experts to ensure smoother progress. In addition, each challenge included an open data package provided by the challenge authors, helping teams develop data-driven solutions.

“ This year’s hackathon surprised us with both the diversity and maturity of the teams. From school pupils to experienced technology professionals – everyone was able to propose solutions that can realistically be implemented. What especially impressed us was how teams were able to use data and artificial intelligence to create ideas that can contribute to the future of the city and the energy sector. When evaluating the winners’ work, it was clear that when creativity, technology, and a shared goal come together, solutions emerge that can have a real impact on people’s lives,” said Lina Adomonienė, Head of IT Development at Ignitis Group.

During the event, participants not only worked intensively on developing their solutions but also prepared to present them properly to the jury. On Saturday, participants attended a talk titled “AI on the Table: Winning Hearts, Minds and Deals,” delivered by Ismael Capel, Delivery Manager at EPAM Lithuania.

Hackathon jury and evaluation criteria

On Sunday evening, a jury assembled specifically for the event — Lina Adomonienė, Head of IT Development at Ignitis Group, Gintarė Galinaitė, Transformation Project Manager at Cognizant Technology Solutions Lithuania, and Irmantas Znatinas, IT Project Manager at the Innovation and Technology Group of Vilnius City Municipality Administration — listened to the teams’ presentations and distributed a prize fund worth €6,000.

The jury evaluated solutions based on criteria such as innovation, market potential, level of execution, use of open data analysis, and overall presentation quality.

According to Gintarė Galinaitė, a long-time event partner and Cognizant Technology Solutions Lithuania representative on the jury, she was delighted to see so many energetic participants who truly believed in their ideas and actively offered ways to contribute to the city’s well-being.

“Hack4Vilnius is a gathering of creative, tech-savvy, and motivated people who aim to create meaningful solutions for the city. This year’s winners proposed solutions that encourage inclusiveness and community engagement. It is a great example that technology can be not only advanced, but also playful, engaging, and — most importantly — useful for the city and its residents. We are glad that Cognizant has been contributing to this event for many years, encouraging young talents to experiment boldly and create technology-based initiatives that help build a more vibrant city and stronger communities.”

Solutions of the winning teams

First place was awarded to the team “ecoBuddy,” who won a cash prize of €3,000. They addressed the challenge of helping Vilnius residents (and beyond) understand how and where to sort their everyday waste correctly. The teams working on this challenge had to develop a smart solution that could quickly and clearly indicate sorting locations, provide educational insights, and encourage responsible behavior.

The winning team’s solution was a prototype of a mobile app that uses artificial intelligence not only to explain how to sort different types of waste and where to take them (especially electronic waste), but also to motivate users through gamification elements.

Second place and a €2,000 cash prize went to the team “Spindesio ūkininkai.” This team tackled a challenge important to the city’s infrastructure: how to smartly develop the electric vehicle charging network in Vilnius, taking into account residents’ behavior and needs.

With the growing number of electric vehicles, smart planning of charging locations is crucial. The team had to create a solution that uses data on mobility flows, charging habits, and parking zones to help model optimal charging station placement in the city.

Their solution was a prototype of an app called “CHARGINGTON,” which, based on population flows, density, and existing stations, helps identify new EV charging locations. The app will also encourage apartment building communities to install shared charging stations by helping them find contractors and providing information about required documents.

Third place winners and recipients of a €1,000 prize were the team “The Builders.” They chose a challenge addressing the fact that traditional career searches often rely only on CVs or job titles — but do these truly reflect what suits a person? The team had to create an AI solution based on coaching principles that would help users reflect on their strengths, expectations, and values, and then recommend the organizations that best match them not only in terms of competence but also cultural fit.

“The Builders” solution is an AI-powered career advisor that functions as an interactive questionnaire. The team’s trained AI uses publicly available data on Lithuanian companies and suggests the most suitable organizations for starting or advancing one’s career based on user responses.

The eighth Hack4Vilnius once again proved that when different institutions, companies, and creative participants come together, they can create ideas that not only inspire but also have the potential to become real change. The organizers are delighted with the participants’ enthusiasm and hope that these ideas will continue to grow and contribute to an even more innovative Vilnius.

2025-12-05

New Digital Directory Revolutionizing the European Industrial Symbiosis

We are part of the LIAISE COST ACTION EU network – an [...]

We are part of the LIAISE COST ACTION EU network – an EU-funded initiative uniting researchers, businesses, and public sector representatives to make Circular Economy principles a reality 🙌

The Industrial Symbiosis Stakeholder Directory, launched under LIAISE COST Action (CA22110), is now live – a powerful platform designed to connect businesses, researchers, and policymakers across Europe 🌍

This matchmaking tool helps link waste, by-products, and unused resources from one organization to another – reducing landfill waste, cutting carbon emissions, and fostering sustainable industrial growth.

✅ Companies can share their available resources and find partners for their by-products
✅ Researchers can apply their knowledge in real-world challenges
✅ Policymakers can gain valuable insights into regional material flows

👉 Explore the platform and become part of Europe’s sustainable transformation! https://bit.ly/4hIIxIO

2025-10-31

Sunrise Tech Park supports Cleantech innovation through FINEX project

Cleantech experimentation opportunities with FINEX project

Sunrise Tech Park has been fostering green transformation and cleantech initiatives in collaboration with [...]

Cleantech experimentation opportunities with FINEX project

Sunrise Tech Park has been fostering green transformation and cleantech initiatives in collaboration with partners from the FINEX project. This two-year Horizon Europe initiative unites organizations from Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus with a shared mission to strengthen and interconnect their cleantech innovation ecosystems. The project aims to accelerate Europe’s transition towards sustainable technologies by linking leading experimentation spaces and sharing best practices across the region. The project also seeks to advocate for improved EU-level regulatory, fiscal and legal frameworks. Ultimately, FINEX supports innovators who are working on novel deep tech solutions and helps them access specialised testing environments and services so that they can move faster from research to real-world deployment, contributing to Europe’s transition towards a climate-neutral economy.

Lithuania’s priorities and challenges

Sunrise Tech Park as a coordinator of Cleantech Lithuania brings together experts and members of the cleantech community to discuss the most pressing challenges, identify priority technologies, and gather recommendations for promoting cleantech in Lithuania. Specialists from the fields of energy, transport, and sustainable buildings shared their insights in FINEX workshops and proposed strategies for the sector’s growth.

Energy independence and transition to renewables is one of the top priorities in Lithuania, Lithuania is on a clear path toward energy independence by 2050, aiming to produce as much energy as it consumes. A major milestone was reached in 2025, when the Baltic countries disconnected from the post-Soviet BRELL energy ring and synchronized with the continental European grids. This commitment also includes the need for extensive investments in renewable energy infrastructure, the integration of renewable energy sources, and developing storage or backup systems to ensure a stable, reliable supply.

“For the growing renewable solar sector it is also important to focus on the secondary use of batteries and the materials involved in that process. We have to save resources and need to pay close attention to the materials used in our region” – noted Simonas Barsteiga, Director of SmartEcoTech Competence Center of Vilnius Tech during FINEX discussions.

The strong focus on energy efficiency and climate neutrality also highlights other complementary priorities, including sustainable mobility and infrastructure. Key steps to promote sustainable mobility include increasing the adoption of electric vehicles and expanding supporting solutions such as EV charging infrastructure. “Access to data is critical for mobility innovation, as it forms the foundation for effective solutions like traffic management and public transport optimization” - highlights Asta Kazlauskienė from the Transport Innovation Association

In the construction sector, there is a growing emphasis on the reuse of old buildings for circular construction, improving energy efficiency in buildings, and better spatial design to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, achieving energy efficiency in buildings faces financial and regulatory challenges, as much of the infrastructure is outdated and lacks the necessary support for renovation. “The digitalization could greatly help solve problems in the construction sector. Digitalization tools make it easier to assess and optimize buildings' energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and other environmental indicators, but there is still a serious problem of a lack of competencies in this area, which is hindering progress", – says Prof. Dr. Violeta Motuzienė from Faculty of Environmental Engineering of Vilnius Tech.

The discussion with Cleantech community marked the beginning of mapping cleantech challenges and needs in Lithuania and together with other participating countries of FINEX project. While Lithuania shares broad cleantech priorities with many European counties, including energy, mobility, and the built environment, there is a particularly strong focus on energy-related priorities as achieving energy independence, scaling up renewable energy integration, developing sustainable mobility infrastructure, and improving energy efficiency in buildings.

Lithuania Accelerates Cleantech Growth with Strategic Investments and Sandboxes

Lithuania is advancing its cleantech transition through a structured mix of national, sectoral, and local policies supported by substantial public investment. According to Innovation Agency, between 2021 and 2024, Lithuania’s cleantech sector received €376 million funding, with the largest share directed toward photovoltaic technologies (36.26%) and alternative fuels (23.08%).

In 2025, the Lithuanian Ministry of Economy and Innovation launched a €42 million funding package for decarbonisation to help industrial companies accelerate climate-neutral projects and modernize their equipment. The program aims to save approximately 2,607 GWh of energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 489,000 tonnes by 2035.

Lithuania has introduced several sandbox initiatives to promote innovation through regulatory experimentation. In 2020, amendments to the Energy Law established a Regulatory Sandbox for energy innovations, enabling live testing of new energy technologies under the supervision of the National Energy Regulatory Council. This framework supports clean energy innovation and helps identify and remove regulatory barriers. In 2023, the Ministry of Transport opened Sandbox program with €24.5 million in funding to foster digital and 5G-based technological solutions in mobility and other sectors. More recently, the Innovation Agency and Communications Regulator opened an AI Sandbox pilot, allowing companies to safely design, test, and develop AI applications before market launch.

Cleantech experimentation spaces

The experimentation infrastructure, laboratories, and communities operating in Lithuania create a favorable environment for Cleantech innovations. Lithuanian key energy operators provide testbeds for clean energy and e-mobility innovations. Litgrid invites to test the 1 MW grid-connected battery energy storage system open to researchers, businesses and manufacturers. Ignitis testbed offers startups and researchers access to state-owned energy assets and distribution networks, including EV charging stations and smart meters, for live testing and pilot projects.

1MW BESS in Vilnius, Lithuania. Image: Litgrid.

Furthermore there are diverse opportunities for testing and developing cleantech solutions through specialized facilities of research institutions. The Lithuanian Energy Institute conducts scientific research and experimental development in the field of hydrogen production, storage materials and fuel cells; and also focuses energy-system modelling, forecasting, and policy analysis. Labs of Center for Physical Sciences and Technology provide advanced testbeds for laser microfabrication, 3D technologies, electrochemical energy conversion, and environmental research. Vilnius Tech University hosts laboratories dedicated to building energy efficiency and HVAC systems, supporting innovation, testing, and industry collaboration in sustainable energy technologies. In addition, Vilnius University's Open Access Centers provide access to advanced laboratory equipment and scientific services in various fields: biotechnology, chemistry, physics, materials science, life sciences, etc.

And finally, Cleantech Lithuania nurtures the national cleantech community by connecting key actors, fostering collaboration, and highlighting opportunities across the sector. By linking innovators with testing facilities, funding programs, and supportive policy initiatives, it plays a central role in positioning Lithuania as a hub for green innovation and sustainable business growth. In addition, experimentation spaces and pilot programs provide crucial real-world testing environments, accelerating the development and commercialization of cleantech solutions.

Complete information on experimentation spaces in Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Cyprus is available here.

More information about the FINEX project and how to get involved is available at the FINEX Helpdesk.

2025-06-19

Lithuania’s Cleantech Ecosystem in 2024: Over 170 Companies Driving the Country’s Competitiveness and Resilience

At the DigiGreen 2025 conference held on June 5, the 2024 Lithuanian Cleantech Sector Overview was presented, highlighting the ecosystem’s rapid growth, increasing investments, and [...]

At the DigiGreen 2025 conference held on June 5, the 2024 Lithuanian Cleantech Sector Overview was presented, highlighting the ecosystem’s rapid growth, increasing investments, and Lithuania’s strengthening role in Europe’s green transition.

The report shows that Lithuania’s cleantech sector has not only expanded in size but has also gained strategic importance for the country’s economy and energy resilience. In 2024, the sector emerged as one of the key drivers of Lithuania’s innovative economy. The ecosystem, which includes over 170 active companies among them 74 startups and 22 scaleups - has outgrown the traditional environmental narrative. Today, it is a mature and economically significant part of Lithuania’s industry, encompassing energy, transport, agriculture, materials, waste management, and other related sectors.

The year 2024 once again proves that the cleantech sector is no longer a niche - it is becoming a central pillar of Lithuania’s innovation and economic strategy. Our companies are not only tackling the challenges of climate change, but also strengthening industry, creating high-value jobs, and boosting resilience in uncertain times. This year’s progress shows that Lithuania is ready not just to participate, but to lead Europe’s green transformation,” says Laima Balčiūnė, Head of Sunrise Tech Park and Founder of Cleantech Lithuania.

The key trend of 2024 is growth driven by sector diversification. While the energy sector continues to lead the way (with over 85 companies), increasing capital and technological advancements are also evident in waste management, transportation, circular economy, and materials. In total, €140.5 million was invested in the sector in 2024 - €107.4 million from public funds and an additional €33.1 million from private investors. Among the most notable deals were a €100 million investment in Green Genius by the EBRD and a €20 million investment in Ovoko, reflecting growing confidence in the potential of Lithuanian companies to become regional leaders.

Investment growth is accompanied by a strengthening labor market. The cleantech sector employs around 8,000 people an increase of 5.6% compared to 2023. The average gross monthly salary has risen to €3,193, which is 44% higher than the national average. In Vilnius, it reaches as high as €3,678. This rise in wages reflects a growing demand for qualified professionals. The need for skilled labor is closely tied to the sector’s increasing economic significance: in 2023 alone, total revenue exceeded €3.05 billion, while taxes paid amounted to €482.7 million—accounting for at least 3% of all national income.

Sectoral data indicates qualitative growth. In the energy sector, salaries have reached €3,422, and the number of companies continues to rise. An even more impressive breakthrough is observed in the resources and environment sector, where the amount of taxes paid has doubled—from €11.2 million to €23.7 million. The transport and logistics sector, with 21 companies and €5.3 million in investments, is becoming a key player in the fight against emissions, particularly in the area of urban mobility. While the agri-food and green materials sectors are still smaller in terms of total value generated, they are giving rise to a new generation of technological solutions that are important for the entire EU.

Geographically, the sector is concentrated in Vilnius, which is home to 55% of all companies, while Kaunas accounts for 22.5% of the market. Startups and rapidly growing scale-ups employ around 3,600 people. Moreover, Cleantech remains one of the most attractive sectors for investors accounting for 25.9% of all investments in Lithuanian startups in 2024. All of this points to the systematic growth and maturity of the ecosystem. Lithuania has already positioned itself as an active player in the European Green Deal. This is evidenced not only by record-breaking institutional investments €233 million from the EBRD (95% allocated to green projects) and €449 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB), but also by the transformative impact these funds enable.

Behind these numbers lies a significant impact on decarbonisation. The EBRD invested €100 million in Green Genius to support the company’s expansion in the Baltic region and the development of new renewable energy capacity. It also allocated €40 million to Vilnius public transport for the purchase of 73 electric trolleybuses and 85 electric buses - an important step toward cleaner urban mobility. An additional €25 million was directed to Šiaulių Bankas’ energy efficiency fund, which finances the renovation of apartment buildings and the decarbonisation of Vilnius’ building stock.

Another example is the EBRD’s investment in EV charging station operator Eldrive, which led to the opening of Lithuania’s first electric vehicle park of its kind in Panevėžys.

Meanwhile, EIB loans have helped drive progress toward securing energy independence. A €105 million loan was allocated for the expansion of the Kruonis Pumped Storage Plant—one of the largest energy storage infrastructure initiatives in Europe. This project will support Lithuania’s goal of reaching 100% renewable energy by 2030. Another €100 million loan granted to the national rail operator LTG Link will allow the replacement of one-third of its fleet with electric and battery-powered trains, helping to reduce CO₂ emissions and shorten travel times. In addition, a €35 million loan was signed with the company Kauno Energija to modernize the city’s district heating system, install thermal storage tanks, and integrate renewable energy sources.

These investments not only reflect significant financial commitment but also deliver real impact from cleaner energy and more efficient transportation solutions to upgraded infrastructure. They are transforming Lithuanian cities, strengthening energy independence, and accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral economy.

As Lithuania moves toward its 2050 climate neutrality goal, it already has a solid foundation and all the necessary tools to become not only a regional leader but also a hub for clean technology innovation—a sector shaping both the technological and strategic future.

You can find the key insights from 2024 and the full report here.

2025-04-07

EIC Summit 2025: Empowering Innovation and Redefining Leadership

From Burden to Boost: Real Support for European Innovators

On April 2–3, 2025, Brussels hosted the European Innovation Council [...]

From Burden to Boost: Real Support for European Innovators

On April 2–3, 2025, Brussels hosted the European Innovation Council (EIC) Summit, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to explore how deep tech innovation can address global challenges and drive economic growth.

EIC Board Vice Chair Anita Krohn closed the first day of the Summit by quoting former U.S. President Ronald Reagan: “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: ‘I'm from the government, and I'm here to help.’” Krohn used the quote to highlight the paradox many innovators encounter—when bureaucracy stifles the very innovation public funding aims to support. The EIC, she emphasized, was created to flip that narrative—to be the kind of help that innovators actually want.

The EIC's efforts are yielding tangible results. According to the newly published EIC Impact Report 2025, over €6 billion has been allocated to support 706 startups and SMEs, 183 Transition projects, and more than 400 early-stage Pathfinder projects since EIC establishment in 2021. The EIC Fund has catalyzed over €2.6 billion in additional investment, and portfolio companies have seen average employment growth of 52.5% and revenue growth of 56.6%. Notably, 30% of the companies supported by the EIC Accelerator in 2024 were women-led, marking meaningful progress toward greater inclusivity in tech leadership.

Rethinking Empowerment—A Human-Centered Approach to Diversity and Inclusion

Beyond funding and innovation, the EIC Summit 2025 placed a renewed focus on equity, inclusion, and the human side of leadership. One of the most compelling sessions was a workshop that challenged traditional narratives around women’s empowerment in business.

Helene Banner, founder of Let’s Just Be Imperfect, Ladies, initiated the discussion with a provocative insight: “The current road to diversity and inclusivity has kind of two floors,” she said. “First, the burden of change is put entirely on women—go to empowerment training, become stronger, and then you’re allowed to be there. Second, men are left out of the conversation, as if they just need to give up power and make space. That’s not attractive, nor sustainable.”

Banner emphasized that women don’t need fixing—they need recognition. “We teach women to change to become valued. What if we taught them to shine with the strengths they already have? Women are already strong,” she said.

She pointed out that traditional work cultures reward masculine traits, leaving little room for different expressions of leadership. “Female strengths—like empathy, collaboration, intuition—are not seen as powerful. We need to change the informal rules of power. Women should not feel they have to fit in; the system should evolve to include them.”

Veronica Orvalho, CEO of deep tech startup Didimo, brought the discussion down to a personal level. “When I first attended a women CEO event, I felt courage, support—a safety net. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone,” she shared. She recalled sending her male CTO to a meeting because she doubted she was good enough. “That’s what years of internalized bias does,” Orvalho noted. “But safe spaces helped me see that I belonged.”

Both leaders praised the EIC Leadership Programme for its role in providing mentorship, which they described as a two-way street. “Mentor and mentee both learn,” Orvalho said. “That’s the power of a strong network.”

Banner concluded with a challenge to all participants: “We keep talking about breaking the glass ceiling because we haven’t changed the room. We’re now seeing actions explicitly implemented against diversity and inclusion. It’s time to redefine success, leadership, and who gets to shape the future.”

Inclusive Innovation: The EC’s Commitment to Women Entrepreneurs

During the EIC Summit, representatives of the European Commission openly acknowledged the persistent gender imbalance in the European startup landscape. “Only 15% of all startups in Europe are founded or co-founded by women. That means 85% are still founded and managed exclusively by men,” one official noted. This disparity is also reflected in the EIC Accelerator programme, where the underrepresentation of women-led ventures remains a challenge.

The Commission’s response is clear: targeted support for women-led startups is not only a question of fairness—given that women make up half the population—but also a matter of economic sense. “We see that women-led startups often outperform their male-led counterparts in terms of revenue, valuation, and successful exits,” they said. Failing to invest in these ventures, therefore, represents a missed opportunity for Europe’s economic growth and competitiveness.

Beyond metrics, the rationale is also about innovation quality. Diverse teams bring varied perspectives, experiences, and problem-solving approaches. “When you have a founding team of four or five men, all shaped by similar experiences, the ideas tend to converge. Diversity fuels originality—and that’s where real innovation happens.”

Showcasing EU Support—"EU Initiatives for Women" Exhibition

A key highlight of the EIC Summit 2025 was the dedicated exhibition space "EU Initiatives for Women", which spotlighted several forward-looking programmes designed to empower women in innovation and deep tech. Among the initiatives showcased were WomenTechEU, HERfund, Empowomen, WomenINvestEU, EPIC-X and WE-RISE—each targeting the persistent gender gap in science, technology, and entrepreneurship by offering both financial and non-financial support.

These initiatives are not just about funding—they are ecosystems of support. From tailored business coaching and mentorship to matchmaking events and facilitated access to public and private investors, the EU is clearly investing in building resilient networks for women entrepreneurs.

Among the initiatives showcased was WE-RISE, a newly launched EU project aimed at supporting women-led startups in GreenTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech across Europe. Recognizing the significant barriers female entrepreneurs face, such as limited funding opportunities and lack of access to resources, WE-RISE aims to create a more inclusive and diverse innovation ecosystem.

The initiative offers a dual-stage support programme for 40 women-led startups, providing tailored mentorship, cross-border collaboration opportunities, and access to €1.2 million in non-equity funding. The current open call for applications runs from March 12th to May 14th, 2025. Interested entrepreneurs can submit their applications via the EuroQuity platform (https://www.euroquity.com) and the upcoming Info Days are on April 8 and on April 30, 2025.

By showcasing initiatives like WE-RISE, the EIC Summit underscored the EU's commitment to fostering gender diversity and inclusion within the innovation landscape. Women across Europe are encouraged to apply for the upcoming 2025 edition of the European Prize for Women Innovators, set to launch in June 2025.

2025-03-04

Toksika Hackathon Launch Webinar Sets the Stage for Innovative Soil Bioremediation Solutions

The Toksika Hackathon officially kicked off with a Launch Webinar, gathering industry experts, researchers, and innovators to explore groundbreaking solutions for the biological treatment of petroleum-contaminated soil. Hosted as part of the BioBoosters initiative, the event introduced the hackathon’s core challenges and highlighted key research and industry insights into soil remediation.

The event commenced with an introduction to the BioBoosters Concept by Anna Aalto from Jyväskylä University of Applied Science, outlining the initiative’s mission to accelerate bio-based innovations through collaborative challenge-based programs.

Following this, UAB Toksika representative Danielius Šeštokas shared The Toksika Story, providing an overview of the company’s role in hazardous waste management and its commitment to developing sustainable remediation technologies.

A key highlight of the webinar was the Presentation of the Challenge of the Toksika Hackathon, delivered by Rimas Meištininkas. He detailed the main problem statement: finding effective and scalable methods to accelerate heavy petroleum fractions-contaminated soil biological treatment while preserving essential microbial life. This challenge serves as the focal point for hackathon participants, who will work on innovative bioremediation solutions.

Several expert presentations provided critical insights into the latest advancements in soil treatment methodologies:

Baltic Phytoremediation:

Solutions for Contaminated Soils - Gintaras Šiaudinis (Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry) discussed the potential of phytoremediation, a plant-based approach to soil detoxification.

Phy2Climate Project:

Remediation of Petroleum Polluted Soil Markus Ortner (ITS Förderberatung, Austria) shared insights from the EU-funded Phy2Climate project, focusing on sustainable soil decontamination strategies.

Soil Bioremediation:

Enhancing Microbial Activity with Bio-Stimulants – Michal Slota (UAB Nando) presented cutting-edge approaches to stimulating microbial activity for more efficient biodegradation of pollutants.

The Toksika Hackathon presents an opportunity for startups, researchers, and industry professionals to collaborate on sustainable solutions for one of the most pressing environmental challenges in waste management. Participants will have access to expert mentorship and the chance to develop viable, impactful technologies for real-world application.

Applications for the hackathon are now open, with teams encouraged to submit their innovative proposals. For more details, visit the official hackathon page: https://ssmtp.lt/hakatonai/toksika-hackathon/.

2025-01-08

The Returning "Cleantech Catalyst" Incubation Program: Startups Invited to Join an Inspiring Journey

The trajectory of our planet’s climate is fundamentally shifting. 2023 marked the beginning of what experts call the ‘global boiling’ era, emphasizing the urgent need for large-scale action to reduce climate impact and achieve a sustainable, low-carbon future. In this context, cleantech innovations are more important than ever, and the Cleantech Catalyst program is part of the potential change.

Cleantech Catalyst: Empowering Startups for a Greener Future

The Cleantech Catalyst business incubator was created to support startups aiming to implement innovative ideas that contribute to a more sustainable future. Its mission is clear: to foster advanced startups and drive positive change in the cleantech sector. By providing a dynamic ecosystem, expert mentorship, and essential resources, Cleantech Catalyst enables startups to turn their innovative ideas into impactful solutions for the planet.

Spring 2024: The First Cohort Begins Its Journey

In spring 2024, six promising startups embarked on an inspiring journey through the Cleantech Catalyst program. Participants had the opportunity to work in a modern office space located at Sunrise Tech Park in Vilnius, fostering creativity and collaboration. They took part in ten hands-on workshops led by industry professionals, covering key business and market topics. Additionally, startups benefited from valuable mentorship sessions with experts from various cleantech fields, helping them overcome challenges.

The incubator program also provided unique networking opportunities, allowing participants to connect with investors, policymakers, and other innovators. Networking took place at various conferences, including Tech Chill in Latvia and LOGIN in Vilnius.

The program’s highlight was the Demo Day, held during the DigiGreen conference, where startups competed for a €10,000 cash prize, presenting their ideas to investors and a wide audience.

The Second Cleantech Catalyst Program: What’s Next?

The second Cleantech Catalyst program will bring even more opportunities, with workshops designed to dive deep into the key aspects of innovation development and market entry, ensuring participants are well-prepared to tackle industry challenges and opportunities. The practical workshops will cover topics such as:

Market trends and research
Product development and market entry strategies
Strategic planning and innovative business models
Legal frameworks and intellectual property protection
Fundraising and investment strategies
Team formation and dynamics
Attracting investors

To maximize startups’ engagement in the ecosystem, the incubator will also feature informal meetups, including community breakfasts, networking events, and individual mentorship sessions. After the three-month incubation, startups will have the chance to present their solutions to investors and industry experts, with the best-performing teams competing for cash prizes.

How to Apply for the Second Edition

The second Cleantech Catalyst program will launch in spring 2025. Startups can apply starting January 30, with the application deadline on March 4. Selected participants will be announced on March 12, and the program will officially begin on March 18. Over the following months, participants will engage in an intensive program, culminating in the Demo Day at the DigiGreen conference on June 5.

The program offers a unique opportunity for cleantech startups to gain valuable knowledge, resources, and industry connections. From expert insights to a collaborative environment with like-minded innovators, Cleantech Catalyst provides an ideal platform for startups aiming to make a meaningful impact by creating environmentally friendly solutions.

As the application period approaches, we invite all visionaries with cleantech ideas to join this journey. If you're interested, fill out a short form and receive a reminder with the application link in your email once submissions open: https://bit.ly/CC2025reminder.

2024-12-11

Introducing StartupLAB: A Program to Boost the Startup Ecosystem in Lithuania’s Regions

The program consists of three key phases:

SparkUP – Entrepreneurship awareness events
IdeaLAB – Idea refinement hackathons
StartupLAB [...]

The program consists of three key phases:

SparkUP – Entrepreneurship awareness events
IdeaLAB – Idea refinement hackathons
StartupLAB – The main phase, focusing on startup incubation and pre-acceleration

The program will be implemented in stages. The first phase, SparkUP, will feature informational events aimed at educating participants and attracting them to hackathons—short, intensive events designed to explore the nuances of innovative business, develop product ideas, and address existing challenges.

The second phase, IdeaLAB, will bring hackathons to five cities—Utena, Anykščiai, Panevėžys, Druskininkai, and Alytus—where the most innovative ideas will be selected for further incubation and pre-acceleration.

The final phase, StartupLAB, will provide selected teams with the space and resources they need to develop their ideas, preparing them for a successful market entry.

Spanning 2024 and 2025, the program will cover more than 10 cities, including Druskininkai, Marijampolė, Alytus, Utena, Anykščiai, Varėna, Kupiškis, Rokiškis, Zarasai, Molėtai, and others, fostering engagement and collaboration across diverse regions.

The goal of StartupLAB is not only to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in Lithuania but also to help create a sustainable and competitive startup ecosystem where new ideas can grow and thrive. Sunrise Tech Park invites entrepreneurs and creators to join this initiative and shape the future of Lithuanian business together.

The project is co-financed by the European Union and Sunrise Tech Park and will run until February 2027.

2024-06-25

The third international conference on green and digital innovations, DigiGreen'24, was recently held in Vilnius

DigiGreen is the premier conference dedicated to innovations in green and digital transformation across the Baltic states. This event, now in its third iteration, consistently draws [...]

DigiGreen is the premier conference dedicated to innovations in green and digital transformation across the Baltic states. This event, now in its third iteration, consistently draws experts, business leaders, and innovators committed to fostering a more sustainable and cleaner future. The conference serves as a pivotal forum for discussing the most pressing issues in sustainability, the dynamics of change, and the trends and developments in clean technologies, among other vital aspects of this sector.

The conference was inaugurated with welcoming remarks from the Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen. In her address, she highlighted the significance of the Baltic region's journey towards sustainability and technological advancement, noting a remarkable 70% increase in investments in Lithuania’s clean technology sector in recent years. This surge underscores robust investor confidence and the growing potential of the green economy. Further affirming these positive developments, Laima Balčiūnė, Director of Saulėtekis Tech Park, presented the 2023 Lithuanian cleantech report. This comprehensive document, detailing performance indicators and data for the sector’s leading companies, is already available here: https://issuu.com/sunrisetechpark/docs/cleantech_review

DigiGreen panel discussions – from sustainability dynamics to economic aspects

The event convened over 30 speakers, who are sustainability enthusiasts and experts from across the Baltic countries, alongside a broader assembly of attendees. The speakers represented notable companies such as Solitek, Teltonika, and Ovoko, engaging in substantive discussions with peers and policy makers.

The conference agenda covered pivotal topics in clean technology, including the dynamics and synergy of sustainability, trends in clean transitions, the significance of mobility in technology shifts, and evolving needs for talent. Discussions extended to the empowerment of sustainable e-platforms, green finance, the application of engineering enzymes to combat polyester pollution, and biotechnological innovations aimed at fostering a greener future. Furthermore, the contributions of universities and the academic sector to clean technology advancements were examined, along with the role of private funding in driving sustainability innovations.

The startup Honics has been declared the winner of the "Cleantech Catalyst" pre-acceleration incubation program

The conference concluded with a highlight event, the Demo Day of the Cleantech Catalyst incubator program, where seven teams vied for a 10,000 euro prize. Each team presented their innovative ideas for sustainable business solutions, developed over the last three months within the incubator at Sauletekis Tech Park:

Biohifas showcased a natural mushroom growth model designed as a sustainable alternative to traditional meat, promising comparable taste and nutritional benefits.
Deep Scientific introduced a portable device capable of measuring water pollution, applicable in daily life as well as in agricultural and military settings.
Ekomūras proposed an environmentally friendly brick made from hemp, aimed at enhancing sustainability and longevity in the construction industry.
Water Shield unveiled a water-based air filtration system that not only traps but also eliminates the most polluted particles.
Nuar developed a system to streamline sales and logistics for small farms, significantly reducing carbon emissions.
Restorie discussed the potential for refurbishing old electronic devices, a strategy to save costs and reduce global electronic waste.
Honics presented their development of a robust UV light source technology designed to optimize and economize green hydrogen production.

The competition's winner was the Latvian startup HONICS, which specializes in creating high-intensity UV-V and UV-C sources for use with photocatalysts, facilitating more efficient, faster, and cost-effective green hydrogen production. Their innovative approach includes bespoke sources, catalysts, and specially designed equipment to make hydrogen production more accessible and economical for all.

For further details about the event and upcoming initiatives, visit our official website.

2024-06-25

Lithuanian Cleantech Ecosystem Review announced

Cleantech refers to technological solutions that address global environmental issues. Cleantech includes various technologies, software, the Internet of Things (IoT), and even financial services. In Lithuania, the application of cleantech spans three main industry sectors: renewable energy, mobility and transportation, and resources and environment. The 'Lithuania Cleantech Ecosystem 2023 Review' analyzes the most innovative cleantech products and services provided by startups and engineering startups.

In 2023, the Lithuanian cleantech market experienced gradual growth. Total investments in cleantech in Lithuania for the year reached €107.5 million – a 70% annual increase. Since 2017, when the consolidation of the Lithuanian cleantech market began, total investments in local clean technologies have amounted to €812.5 million.

Currently, there are 60 active startups and engineering startups in Lithuania's energy, transportation, resources, and environment sectors, six of which successfully completed investment stages still in 2023.

The 'Lithuania Cleantech Ecosystem 2023 Review' highlights the importance of the cleantech sector to the local economy. With significant global investments in renewable energy, new mobility, and related clean technologies, Lithuania is well-prepared to take a leadership position in the region.

Detailed review: https://issuu.com/sunrisetechpark/docs/cleantech_review

2024-06-03

LIAISE COST Action Conference: A Successful Three-Day Event in Alicante Explores Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy

The LIAISE COST Action conference, a ground- breaking three-day event dedicated to exploring Industrial Symbiosis and Circular
Economy, concluded today with nearly a hundred attendees gathering at Parque Científico de Alicante at the Universidad de Alicante. The conference featured a rich agenda of presentations, roundtable discussions, and collaborative sessions aimed at
advancing sustainable industrial practices across Europe.

The conference kicked off on April 23rd with a Management Committee (MC) meeting, where 44 MC members outlined the project's progress, discussed financial justifications, and reviewed the goals for the next grant period. The first day set the
stage for further exploration of Industrial Symbiosis, which involves transforming waste or by-products from one industry into valuable resources for another, promoting a sustainable and circular approach to production and consumption.

On April 24th, the conference moved to the CETEM headquarters in Yecla (Murcia), with a focus on Working Group meetings that delved into various aspects of Industrial Symbiosis. Around 62 attendees participated in a series of parallel sessions, exploring topics such as state-of-the-art practices, research papers, stakeholder mapping, and barriers to Industrial Symbiosis. The day included a visit to a furniture company showcasing circular and IS practices, emphasizing the real-world applications of the concepts discussed.
"The visit to the furniture company was a highlight of the event for me. Seeing first- hand how circular and Industrial Symbiosis practices are being implemented in the industry was both educational and inspiring." – Nazim Yuker, RedEco

The final day, April 25th, took place at Parque Científico de Alicante. The day began with a warm welcome from José Luís Todolí Torro, Director of the Secretariat of Knowledge Transfer at the University of Alicante. 53 attendees from LIAISE COST

Action plus the 28 stakeholders were also addressed by Esteban Pelayo, Manager of the Alicante Science Park, who discussed innovative projects in the park. The day featured pitching sessions where participants shared ideas and initiatives, roundtable
discussions on challenges and opportunities in Industrial Symbiosis, and a presentation on transforming ideas into reality.
"I left the conference feeling optimistic about the future of industrial sustainability. The momentum generated over the three days is a testament to the dedication and passion of everyone involved in advancing the cause of Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy." Branko Dunjic, University of Belgrade.

A special thank you to the organisers, particularly the Action Chair Almudena Muñoz, and CETEM, for their exceptional work in coordinating this event. The conference not only provided a platform for knowledge sharing but also created new networking
opportunities and collaborations among industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers. The discussions and insights from these sessions will contribute to furthering the cause of Industrial Symbiosis and Circular Economy.

For more information on LIAISE COST Action and to stay updated on future events and activities, please visit our website at www.liaise-action.eu or follow us on social media.
Together, we are working towards a more sustainable and symbiotic industrial landscape.

2024-02-19

€10,000 prize: Cleantech Catalyst is looking for cleantech talents

Sunrise Tech Park is happy to announce the new start of the incubator program - Cleantech Catalyst. This incubator is dedicated to early-stage startups [...]

Sunrise Tech Park is happy to announce the new start of the incubator program - Cleantech Catalyst. This incubator is dedicated to early-stage startups working in climate technology and seeking to address the challenges of climate change. Located on the academic campus in Sunrise, one of the greenest parts of the capital, Cleantech Catalyst offers a unique opportunity for innovators to turn their ideas into real solutions that benefit the planet.

An innovative approach to the challenges of climate change

The planet is already undergoing dramatic climate change, which calls for immediate action. Cleantech Catalyst's mission is to promote and support innovation in cleantech, energy, resources, mobility, and the circular economy to reduce carbon emissions and build a sustainable future.

Intensive and advanced program

The Cleantech Catalyst program, which starts in mid-March, will last six months and will include intensive training, seminars, and workshops, accessing to a network of international experts and special events. Selected startups/teams will develop their business in Sunrise Tech Park using the infrastructure resources provided. Together with the professional team of Sunrise Tech Park, experts from the Baltic region, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and Singapore will provide consultations.

During the program, practical training for startups will be conducted by: Klaudija Budreikaitė (Open Circle Capital), Roman Lobas (Deel), Monika Paulė (Caszyme), Jacekas Antulis (Metida), Simona Sandaraitė (Nord Security), Arvydas Bložė (Practica Capital), Dmitrij Sosunov (FIRSTPICK ), Audrius Rubinas (Profitable solutions), Sander van der Molen (CIVITTA).

Incubator training will begin on March 18, and startup demo presentations in June. After this intensive phase, the participants could continue the startup development processes in Sunrise Tech Park.

Competition and prize

After a three-month incubation program, the participants will present their startup solutions to investors. The creators of the best idea will have the chance to win a prize of 10,000 euros to encourage their further growth.

Invitation to apply

All early-stage startups operating in the cleantech sector and committed to tackling the challenges of climate change are welcome to fill out the registration form by March 4. The selection process will include an initial selection and an interview, after which selected teams will join the Sunrise Tech Park community live or online.

About Sunrise Tech Park

Sunrise Tech Park is the epicenter of technology and innovation, which has been uniting the most talented developers and entrepreneurs for more than 20 years and has incubated 124 startups. Located in the academic campus in Saulėtekis, Vilnius, the Park provides excellent conditions for startups commercializing research results. Sunrise Tech Park coordinates the Lithuanian Clean Technologies cluster and is an active member of the international cleantech community.

To learn more about the Cleantech Catalyst incubator and apply to the program, please visit this website: www.cleantechcatalyst.eu, and fill out the registration form here: https://forms.gle/JNYAKuxfnkp12NTV7.

2024-01-31

Launch of Cleantech Catalyst incubator - in search for cleantech startups

Sunrise Tech Park launches Cleantech Catalyst, an incubator for climate technology startups. Located on the capital's academic campus in Saulėtekis - one [...]

Sunrise Tech Park launches Cleantech Catalyst, an incubator for climate technology startups. Located on the capital's academic campus in Saulėtekis - one of the greenest places in the city - the incubator offers a unique opportunity for innovators who want to tackle the challenges of climate change. It is open to all early-stage startups working in the cleantech sector in energy, resources, mobility, and circular economy areas.

An innovative ecosystem friendly to the Earth

The planet's climate situation is changing dramatically, ushering in what could be called the "global boiling" era. Large-scale actions are needed to reduce harmful impacts and achieve a sustainable, low-carbon future. In this context, cleantech innovation and sustainability initiatives are crucial. Sunrise Tech Park understands the situation's urgency and aims to contribute to positive change.

The incubator's mission is to promote and support innovative ideas in the cleantech field, thus contributing to the joint effort to tackle the challenges of climate change, ensuring a sustainable future for future generations. "Cleantech Catalyst is designed to nurture and accelerate startups and entrepreneurial teams developing climate-friendly solutions. The incubator offers a dynamic ecosystem, expert advice, and essential resources to help turn green ideas into planetary solutions.

An intensive and extensive incubator program

The first Cleantech Catalyst program will start in mid-March. The six-month program will consist of three months of intensive training - workshops and seminars once a week - followed by three months of further development at Sunrise Tech Park with access to the necessary resources and ongoing support from mentors. The incubator will provide access

to a network of international experts and invite you to special events to help you turn your ideas into reality and contribute to a more intensive search for funding sources.

The workshops are designed to give startups a deep dive into the most critical aspects of innovation and market uptake, ensuring that they are well-equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the industry. Seminars and workshops will cover topics such as market trends and research, product development and market entry phases, strategies and innovative approaches, focus on legal and intellectual property, raising capital, team building, and dynamics. To maximize the involvement of startups in the ecosystem, the incubator will be enriched by informal gatherings such as community breakfasts, networking parties, and individual mentoring sessions. After three months of incubation, startups/teams will have the opportunity to present their solutions to investors and other experts, and the creators of the best solutions will have the chance to win cash prizes.

Innovative change makers wanted

The mission of Sunrise Tech Park is to find and empower startups and talents in the cleantech sector. The selection process will look for candidates who meet the definition of cleantech, incubator's criteria and who are united in their ambition to create a cleaner, greener planet. A team of professionals will look after the selected early-stage startups.

Applicants have to fill out the Cleantech Catalyst program form by 4th of March. The selection process will consist of two phases: an initial screening and a motivational interview, followed by the selection of startups/teams, at least three of which will have the opportunity to join the Sunrise Tech Park community physically.

Professional hosts

124 startups have already been incubated and emerged under the roof of Sunrise Tech Park. The organizers coordinate the Cleantech Cluster of Lithuania and are representatives of Cleantech for Baltics in Lithuania. The CERN Technology Business Incubator has been operating here for four years, and Tech Park has recently become an accredited CERN Venture Connect program partner. "Cleantech Catalyst is not just an incubator program - it is part of an important market with a strong community creating a cleaner tomorrow, dedicated to creating breakthroughs for the future.

For more information about Cleantech Catalyst: www.cleantechcatalyst.eu

Registration form: https://forms.gle/JNYAKuxfnkp12NTV7

2024-01-25

Seeds of Bravery — project launch

Strategic Boost from the European Innovation Council for the Ukrainian Deep Tech Ecosystem

Warsaw, 24th January 2024 – The grand kick-off meeting of the “Seeds of Bravery” (UASEEDs) project marked the official launch of open calls for proposals for all five support programs, designed to empower tech startups and SMEs with innovative solutions, services, and products, today.

On December 20, 2023, a pan-European consortium, composed of renowned tech, funding and business companies, launched a €20 million "Seeds of Bravery" project. The initiative is funded by the European Union, under the European Innovation Council (EIC) and aims at supporting the Ukrainian Tech Ecosystem.

With a focus on deep tech innovation, the group has earmarked €12 million for 200 Ukrainian startups. In addition to non-refundable grants, "Seeds of Bravery" aims to attract additional investment, promote Ukrainian projects, train entrepreneurs, enter international markets, and integrate the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem into the European network.

The kick-off event brought together UASEEDs consortium members, key stakeholders, innovators, and policymakers from Ukraine and the EU to announce the open calls for proposals for all five programs, providing insights into the application process, eligibility criteria, and the support offered. Among the distinguished guests were the Minister of Development Funds and Regional Policy and a representative of the National Center for Research and Development of the Republic of Poland (Aleksandra Ihnatovicz).

Each program targets projects that are key economic drivers for Ukraine's rebuilding efforts and enhance the presence of Ukrainian startups in a broader European innovation ecosystem. The project is also expected to pave the way for Ukrainian tech startups to participate in future EIC calls.

Unveiling types of support:

Business and Innovation Services: Offering grants up to €10,000, focusing on enhancing business models, plans, and growth strategies. Apart from financial support, beneficiaries can also join investors and accelerator communities both in Ukraine and in the EU, access matchmaking activities, and have the opportunity to receive free tickets to attend international tech conferences.

Innovative Entrepreneurship: With grants up to €25,000, this program supports business continuity and the establishment of women-led companies. Beneficiaries will also gain access to a wide array of activities, including matchmaking with EU and global tech communities, investor and accelerator networks, a 2-week online Market Fast Track program, and specialized coaching for female entrepreneurs.

Deep Tech Incubators: Providing €25,000 for early-stage startups, dedicated to activities like user or demand testing, prototype validation, and other pivotal pre-MVP innovation tasks. Beyond financial support, the program also offers non-financial benefits, that include matchmaking with an expansive EU and global tech community, participation in a Market Fast Track program, entry into a specialized Deep Tech Incubator and access to investors.

Rebuild Ukraine: Aiming to rapidly reconstruct postwar Ukraine with grants up to €25,000 for innovative products/services. The program targets tech SMEs and scale-ups with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 or higher. It extends its support through matchmaking, Market Fast Track program, Digital and Deep Tech Booster (3-month acceleration & mentorship program), Funding Lab (proposal writing bootcamps and pitch trainings to increase access to funding), Finance Booster (a 4-week investment readiness program), Deep Tech Accelerator and access to a robust network of investors and accelerators.

Deep Tech Scale-up and Acceleration: Offering up to €50,000 to scale prototypes successfully piloted and expand market reach for companies with TRL of 7 or higher. Non-financial services include the possibility to receive tech tickets to co-working spaces and relevant conferences and events worldwide, access to investors and accelerators, Market and Legal Lab (legal services for startups entering EU or global markets), Deep Tech Accelerator, Finance Booster, Funding Lab, matchmaking with global tech communities, and a range of specialized labs and programmes (such as Digital and Deep Tech Booster and specialized coaching for female entrepreneurs).

All programs are designed to propel the selected projects to new heights, ensuring they receive the guidance, resources, and networking opportunities needed for success. Non-financial support will be tailored for each beneficiary (the scope of provided services will be determined individually for each tech startup and SME).

In general, grant recipients will be able to receive a maximum of €60,000 across all “Seeds of Bravery” types of support. Even if the application does not secure funding, there is still a chance for tech SMEs to receive recognition and access to valuable resources. By submitting a high-quality application, a project could be awarded a 'Seal of Excellence,' which carries several benefits.

For further details and application procedures, please follow the link: https://seedsofbravery.eu/

“The development of innovations is one of Ukraine's priorities and the path to a trillion-dollar economy. The European Innovation Council's Seeds of Bravery project will open up new opportunities for development and integration into the global technology community. Already today, hundreds of Ukrainian scientists, startups, and entrepreneurs will be able to apply for 5 programs of the initiative, receive financial support and gain the best European experience. We believe in the ability of our innovators to implement revolutionary ideas. And the Ukrainian Startup Fund, together with other members of the consortium under the coordination of FundingBox, will help them realize their potential.” — Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development – Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.

“As we launch all five pivotal programs, our consortium plants the seeds for a future where Ukrainian resilience leads the way in rebuilding their economy. With the UASEEDs project we are not just offering financial support; we provide a platform for innovation, collaboration and growth. These comprehensive support programs are designed to unlock the full potential of Ukrainian entrepreneurs, helping them navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the European innovation ecosystem” — Anna Dymowska, CEO, FundingBox Accelerator, Warsaw, Poland.

About “Seeds of Bravery”:

The “Seeds of Bravery” project's main goal is to create a pan-European network that bilaterally supports both the integration of Ukrainian technology innovators into European ecosystems and their activities in Ukraine.

The UASEEDs consortium consists of 17 partners and 2 associate partners: Aalto University, Accelerace, CorkBIC, Da Vinci Labs, Cyber/nnov8, Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, EIT Health, FundingBox Accelerator, Impact Hub Stockholm, Institute of Physics of National Academy of Science (EEN Network), Luxinnovation, Plug and Play, Sunrise Tech Park, Techosystem, Ukrainian Startup Fund, Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration, YEP.

The “Seeds of Bravery” project complements the ongoing initiatives of the European Research Area for Ukraine (ERA4Ukraine), Horizon4Ukraine and ERC for Ukraine, as well as a special €25 million scholarship scheme under Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) for refugee researchers from Ukraine.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union, under the European Innovation Council (EIC). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. UASEEDs project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme under grant agreement No 101104445.

2024-01-12

PVcase wins the most important title of the year at Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards

Vilnius TechFusion Startup [...]

Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards took place in the capital city on Thursday evening, recognising the most successful startups in 2023, as well as emerging and climate-friendly technology companies. The event focused not only on companies, but also on projects or leaders with a significant contribution to the startup ecosystem. The event organisers say that the annual awards allow the public to get to know the achievements of Vilnius-based companies and leaders in technology. The traditional ceremony featured 7 categories and the winners were selected by a special jury and the public.

The awards are an opportunity to honour the startup community

“The awards event is one of the ways to introduce the technology businesses operating in the country to the public, and to recognise their efforts and initiative. We are glad that Vilnius continues to be an attractive city for business, where Lithuanian and international startups want to establish themselves, and that their activities and ideas stimulate the growth of both the community and the capital city. By raising foreign investment, startups born in the city develop new technologies and become leaders in their field, who are visible worldwide. The data shows that the startup ecosystem of Vilnius is one of the fastest growing in Europe. We are proud of it and we hope that the awards will encourage its development even more,” says Lina Šetikienė, member of the jury and Head of Vilnius Tourism and Business Development Agency Go Vilnius.

Inga Langaitė, CEO of the association Unicorns Lithuania and member of the jury, points out that this is the 5th time that the Startup Awards have been held in Lithuania. With the number of talent working in startups growing more than 3 times (to 18 000) and the amount of taxes paid increasing more than 5 times (EUR 92.6 million in Q3 2023) in the last 5 years, we have even more potential for the future.

“The importance of technology in our daily lives and the capital in the hands of investors is only increasing. In addition, the opportunities needed to build a business today have never been more accessible. The world is on the brink of change, and we need to hurry to accumulate as much of the most essential available asset, i.e. intelligence. The startup industry in Lithuania is growing and strengthening, and we need to make sure that we live up to the potential we expect with both talent and an increase in the competitiveness of Lithuania in the region,” Ms Langaitė points out.

Meanwhile, Laima Balčiūnė, Director of Sunrise Tech Park and member of the jury, notes that startups contribute not only to the economic development, but also to the promotion of green technologies.

“These awards are an important emerging tradition to appreciate each other, support Lithuanian startups and find inspiring contacts. At the same time, it is a place to promote good change. To achieve zero emissions by 2050, the “Tech for Good” nomination is more than just praise. The cleantech sector, which includes energy, transport, resources, circular economy and more, focuses on the potential for a clean and sustainable future for Lithuania and the cleantech ecosystem, which is becoming increasingly significant with the climate change challenges growing every day,” notes Laima Balčiūnė, Director of Sunrise Tech Park.

“Startup of the Year” revealed

This year, startups competed in 7 different categories. The main title of the “Startup of the Year” was awarded to PVcase, a global leader in solar design software from Lithuania, which aims to combine all steps of the design and operations process of solar power plants in one platform. This startup was also awarded the “Tech for Good” prize. In 2023, PVcase not only raised an investment of USD 100 million, but also acquired a successful US company Anderson Optimization.

Five more category winners selected

The “Newcomer of the Year” nomination, recognising international players in the startup ecosystem growing their businesses in Vilnius, saw the triumph of Plug and Play, the US startup accelerator. This company has committed to invest EUR 6 million in at least 45 startups in Lithuania over three years. According to CB Insights, in Q4 2023, they were the most active investors in startups worldwide, with 39 deals completed.

This year, the “Rising Star” award went to Ovoko, a fast-growing platform for selling used car parts, operating in Lithuania under the name RRR.lt. The e-commerce platform is already used by more than 3 000 car part dealers from Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Poland, France and Italy, with more than 14 million parts on offer.

Triumph of the Tesonet accelerator and its leaders

Tomas Okmanas and Eimantas Sabaliauskas, unicorn breeders who have been creating Silicon Valley in Lithuania, were selected as the most deserving “Ecosystem Heroes” by the startups and the jury. Both of them are the leaders of Nord Security, a global leader in cybersecurity and one of Lithuania’s unicorns, the co-founders of Tesonet, a startup accelerator working with over 30 products, the authors of the Cyber City project, a technology space that was opened in 2023, and active members of the startup association Unicorns Lithuania.

Namely the opening of the Cyber City technology space in the former Sparta factory site in Vilnius was recognised as the “Highlight of the Year”. The business accelerator Tesonet moved companies such as Nord Security, Surfshark, Oxylabs, CyberCare, Hostinger and others into three 35 000 sqm office buildings. The area with co-working spaces, offices, shops, cafés, bars and sports clubs can accommodate 3 000 people.

The “Public’s Favourite” nomination was won by startup RatePunk, developing a tool that analyses the best prices on different accommodation booking platforms and suggests the best option for the traveller, saving them time and money. The winner of the “Public’s Favourite” nomination was determined solely by the votes of the public.

This year, the jury consists of: Laima Balčiūnė, Director of Sunrise TechPark, Inga Langaitė, CEO of Unicorns Lithuania, Greta Mieliauskaitė, Managing Director of the Lithuanian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Gintarė Bačiulienė, Head of the Technology Sector Team at Invest Lithuania, Roberta Rudokienė, Managing Director at LitBan, Gintarė Narakienė, Head of Sector Development at Startup Lithuania, and Lina Šetikienė, Head of Go Vilnius.

Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards 2023 are organised by Go Vilnius, Unicorns Lithuania, and Sunrise TechPark.

2024-01-11

Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards, to be held on 11 January in Vilnius, reveal the competitors for the “Startup of the Year” title

Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards, one of the major events of the year, will take place on 11 [...]

Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards, one of the major events of the year, will take place on 11 January in Vilnius, the Cyber City space, where startups will compete in 7 different categories. The award ceremony will recognise business leaders and high-tech companies with the major contribution to the growth of the Lithuanian startup ecosystem. With the awards already this week, the jury is now announcing the nominees for the most important category of the event, i.e. “Startup of the Year”.

For the fifth year in a row, the Startup Awards aim to recognise and honour startups that have made an important contribution to the national economy and to making the name of Vilnius known worldwide. These high goals could not be achieved without cooperation between companies. According to Inga Langaitė, a member of the jury and CEO of the startup association Unicorns Lithuania, 2023 was neither an easy nor a quiet year for startups around the world, thus the results of the Lithuanian startup ecosystem in this context are unique, with notable achievements and victories.

“The startup sector in Lithuania is growing and getting stronger, as is the added value the sector brings to the economic growth of the country. I can give some figures: over 870 startups employing 17 800 talents are operating in Lithuania, and these startups alone added EUR 275 million to the national budget in the first three quarters of the year, which is a quarter more than at the same time last year, and EUR 272 million in investment was raised in 2023. Market adjustments take time, but I can assure you that we are definitely in the startup era – we want to publicly thank those who are creating a modern future for Lithuania based on a high added value economy,” says Ms Langaitė.

The “Startup of the Year” nomination aims to identify the best and most deserving startup. The winner of this category is chosen by the startup ecosystem leaders. According to Roberta Rudokienė, a member of the jury and Managing Director of the Lithuanian business angel network Litban, this nomination is not only an honour but also a responsibility.

“The “Startup of the Year” nomination recognises the achievements and impressive results of a startup or the value it brings to both the city of Vilnius and the entire Lithuanian startup ecosystem. From past awards, we have noticed that this award category is the most popular, both among the public and in various media. This shows that an increasing number of people are interested in the current business and startup issues in Vilnius, and more and more companies want to be included among the nominees,” notes Roberta Rudokienė.

The nominees of the Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards in the “Startup of the Year” category are listed in the alphabetical order:

carVertical, a company providing vehicle history check services;
CAST AI, an all-in-one platform for Kubernetes automation, optimization, security and cost management;
Ovoko, a platform for selling used car parts;
PVcase, a startup developing tools to organise solar power plants;
Surfshark a cybersecurity company focused on developing humanized privacy & security protection.

The “Startup of the Year” award has been previously awarded to companies such as Qoorio (2020), TransferGo (2021) and Omnisend (2022).

Here are the finalists in 6 more nominations:

The nominees in the “Ecosystem Hero” category: Darius Žakaitis, CEO of Tech Zity, Tomas Okmanas and Eimantas Sabaliauskas, Managers of Tesonet, Women Go Tech, an organisation that helps women pursue careers in IT, Lithuanian Junior Achievement, a non-governmental organisation, Vladas Lašas, an entrepreneur and investor.

The nominees in the “Newcomer of the Year” category: Hoperfy, a corporate travel management company, Monavate, a payment solutions company, Deep Scientific, a startup developing molecular sensors, Payhawk, a business financial solutions and cost management company, and Plug and Play, the Lithuanian branch of the US Startup Accelerator.

The nominees in the “Rising Star” category: Ovoko, a platform for selling used car parts, Atrandi Bioscience, a biotechnology company, Turing College, a company that trains high-tech employees, Heavy Finance, a climate tech company, and myTU, a digital banking platform.

The nominees in the “Highlight of the Year” category: opening of the Cyber City area in Naujamiestis, organisation of a direct flight to the Web Summit and related events, launch of the Tech Zity Vilnius project for startups, the first public IT exam in Lithuania, and the Lithuanian startup ecosystem.

The nominees in the “Tech for Good” category: Viezo, a creator of a generator that converts vibrations into electricity, Inbalance grid, a developer of electric vehicle solutions and a network of charging stations, Inion, a developer of solar monitoring and analysis tools, PVcase, a company developing advanced solar power plant design tools, and Dancer, a company offering electric public transport solutions.

The nominees in the “Public’s Favourite” category: AMLYZE, a RegTech startup offering automated AML solutions to fintech companies, Hoperfy, a corporate travel management company, RatePunk, a tool for finding the best hotel rates on the web, RSI Europe, a company specialising in the development of innovative radio and electronic systems for the defence sector, and Surfshark, a global privacy security solutions company founded in Lithuania.

This year, the jury consists of: Laima Balčiūnė, Director of Sunrise TechPark, Inga Langaitė, CEO of Unicorns Lithuania, Greta Mieliauskaitė, Managing Director of the Lithuanian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Gintarė Bačiulienė, Head of the Technology Sector Team at Invest Lithuania, Roberta Rudokienė, Managing Director of LitBan, Gintarė Narakienė, Head of Sector Development at Startup Lithuania, and Lina Šetikienė, Head of Go Vilnius.

Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards 2023 are organised by Vilnius Tourism and Business Development Agency Go Vilnius, the association Unicorns Lithuania, and Sunrise TechPark. The award ceremony, which will take place on 11 January 2024, will be streamed live remotely: https://www.delfi.lt/a/95553567 or on Facebook.

2023-12-20

20 million euros for Ukrainian Tech Ecosystem: first call for applications!

December 20, Kyiv — A pan-European consortium, composed by renowned tech, funding and business companies, signed a €20 million grant agreement with the European Innovation Council (EIC) for the deployment of an initiative, "Seeds of Bravery" (UASEEDs), aimed at supporting the Ukrainian Tech Ecosystem.

The consortium is now accepting applications for Innovation Services of up to €10,000 per startup. This grant aims to assist innovative tech companies in improving their business model, business plan, or growth strategy.

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With a focus on deep tech innovation, the group has earmarked €12 million to support over 200 Ukrainian startups that have been allocated by the European Innovation Council (EIC).

The Innovation Services are the initial part of a comprehensive package of 5 types of support, with a potential grant totaling €60,000. The different types of support will be:

Innovation Services (up to 10k€)
Entrepreneurship (restart, relocate, continuity, and women entrepreneurs) (up to 25k€)
Deep Tech incubation (up to 25k€)
Rebuilding Ukraine (up to 25k€)
Deep Tech Scale-Up (up to 50k€)

"Seeds of Bravery" initiative aims to not only provide support but also attract additional investment, promote Ukrainian projects, train entrepreneurs, enter international markets, and integrate the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem into the European network. The initiative also plans to introduce more innovation services, including: IPR and patent analysis, user experience pilots, demand testing or piloting, market analysis/validation, internationalization services (such as participating in conferences, fairs and missions), portfolio management services, investor relations, planning, and digital tools for (equity) crowdfunding campaigns.

An interesting aspect of the "Seeds of Bravery" project is that it is centered around fostering women's entrepreneurship, with a minimum goal of having 20% of startups and innovative SMEs led or co-led by women.

For more information on the terms and conditions, please follow the link: https://seedsofbravery.eu/

To apply: https://getonepass.eu/opportunities/uaseed

The opening of applications for the remaining “Seeds of Bravery” types of support will be announced shortly.

More about “Seeds of Bravery”:The “Seeds of Bravery” project was initially announced in May 2023. The consortium is coordinated by FundingBox, the leading European platform for deep tech funding distribution to startups. The Ukrainian members of the consortium include the Ukrainian Startup Fund, Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration, Cyber/nnov8, Techosystem, EEN Ukraine + Academy of Science and YEP.

"We are grateful to the European Innovation Council for entrusting FundingBox with the coordination of this transformative project for Ukraine and the EU ecosystem. Such funding not only stimulates the development of more than 200 innovative teams, but also demonstrates the joint efforts that bring together Ukrainian and European organizations to restore and strengthen the technology ecosystem. FundingBox Accelerator is honored to coordinate this effort leading the Seeds of Bravery consortium to help the Ukrainian tech ecosystem get to the next level." — Anna Dymowska, CEO, FundingBox Accelerator, Warsaw, Poland.

"In the contemporary landscape, investments in the tech sector function as a source of inspiration, instilling confidence among Ukrainian innovators in the prospect of growth. Together with FundingBox and other consortium members, we are honored to be a part of this initiative, contributing to the recovery of the Ukrainian innovative ecosystem. We are currently actively working on the fastest launch of the project to help unlock the potential of Ukrainian deep tech." — Pavlo Kartashov, CEO of the Ukrainian Startup Fund.

“We strongly believe that innovations and technology entrepreneurship will be the locomotive of Ukraine’s future economy. Seeds of Bravery consortium is a truly unique pan-European partnership that unites some of the strongest players in the ecosystem, including start-up associations, innovation agencies, academia and accelerators all focused on supporting Ukraine’s innovation community and integrating it into the wider European technological ecosystem. We welcome another major step from the European Commission and European Innovation Council to support Ukraine in creation and growth of breakthrough innovations to address existing local rebuilding and recovery, and global challenges.” — Sviatoslav Sviatnenko, Founder and CEO, cyber/nnov8

The “Seed of Bravery” project complements the ongoing initiatives of the European Research Area for Ukraine (ERA4Ukraine), Horizon4Ukraine and ERC for Ukraine, as well as a special €25 million scholarship scheme under Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) for refugee researchers from Ukraine.

Disclaimer: Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. UASEEDs project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme under grant agreement No 101104445.

2023-12-04

Sunrise Tech Park unveils plans for Cleantech competence center

From its humble beginnings as a startup incubator 20 years ago, Lithuania’s Sunrise Tech Park has evolved into the region's premier hub for tech startup experience sharing and [...]

From its humble beginnings as a startup incubator 20 years ago, Lithuania’s Sunrise Tech Park has evolved into the region's premier hub for tech startup experience sharing and networking. Over the next few years, park aims to transform into a European-level cleantech competence center.

Over two decades, the park has provided innovation support services to more than 350 Lithuanian companies, contributed to the emergence and growth of nearly 150 startups, and executed 44 projects accelerating innovation culture, collaboration between science and business, and integrating sustainability and digitization.

In the last six years alone, investments attracted for the development of startups and park projects exceeded 18 million Euros.

"Today we witness the organization's transformation into a new quality competence center, employing current resources further expanding high-tech infrastructure for startup incubation, nurturing innovation culture and the startup ecosystem," says Laima Balčiūnė, Sunrise Tech Park CEO.

The cleantech business promotion initiatives created by the park became the first projects of this type, the example of which was later followed by many businesses that are expanding globally today.

Initiatives like the "Climate Launchpad" or the pre-accelerator "Futurepreneurs" were the first of their kind in Lithuania, dedicated to addressing sustainability and climate change challenges.

Over two decades, the park has seen the growth of globally recognized and successful companies such as "Oxipit," "Deeper," "Bored Panda," "Eskimi," and "Integrated Optics."

In the last couple of years, a new biotech startup cluster has naturally emerged in the park, featuring prominent names in Lithuania's life sciences startup ecosystem, including "CasZyme," "Delta Biosciences," "Vital 3D Technologies" and others.

The close partnership with Vilnius TECH and Vilnius University's academic community significantly contributed to the growth of these technological startups.

Embarking on Cleantech leadership

Lithuania's cleantech sector currently leads in size and scope among Baltic countries. Notable startups in this sector, such as "Vinted", "PVcase", "Inbalance Grid" and "Ovoko" have successfully attracted multimillion-dollar investments from international VC funds, demonstrating Lithuania's maturity in the cleantech sector.

However, the rapidly growing sector still faces challenges in attracting more investments, with a need for increased government attention to create favorable conditions for the development of companies in this field, including tailored regulatory environments.

Therefore, one of the park's major tasks this year was the foundation of the "Cleantech for Baltics" coalition and the formulation of a climate change mitigation agenda for local governments. Alongside partners from Latvia and Estonia, the park took the lead in advocating for the importance of the clean technology sector to regions economies and positioning Lithuania in the global economic context.

"In renewable energy, new mobility and other cleantech sectors, significant global investments are coming, and we should use this trend to our advantage. Several years ago we established Lithuania's cleantech cluster and since then we actively participate in the national mission “Smart and Climate Neutral Lithuania”. We are ready for a breakthrough," says Laima Balčiūnė of Sunrise Tech Park.

Today, Sunrise Tech Park is considered the major technology park in the Baltic countries, accumulating knowledge in the cleantech sector and facilitating startups in this field. The park’s new generation Sustainable business incubator-accelerator is under way, injecting even more energy into this dynamic ecosystem.

Recently, the park became a partner in the European Commission’s pan-European network who will implement a €20 million European Innovation Council (EIC) action supporting Ukraine’s innovation community. The initiative will support at least 200 Ukrainian deep tech start-ups with up to €60 000 each to further develop their innovation and business activities.

2023-11-21

Election of the best Lithuanian startups of the year: the first nominees announced

For the fifth year in a row, the leaders, businesses and high-tech companies with the most significant contribution to the growth of the startup ecosystem in Lithuania will be honored at the Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards on 11 January 2024. The first 25 nominees, representing 5 ecosystem growth areas, have been announced.

The Awards aim to recognise and present to the public the startups that create the most value, to thank them for promoting Vilnius and contributing to the growth of the Lithuanian economy. This year, the team of Go Vilnius, the organiser of the Awards, has been joined by the Lithuanian Startups Association Unicorns Lithuania and the Sunrise Tech Park. Valdas Benkunskas, Mayor of Vilnius, says that the annual event, organised for the startup community, not only helps to reveal the true significance of high-tech to the city, but also brings the business community closer together.

“Vilnius has many promising and entrepreneurial minds who are able to offer relevant products to the world, thus creating new jobs in our country and paying taxes here. This is why it is so important to continue to develop initiatives such as the Startup Awards, which help our ecosystem stay united and achieve even better results. Last year’s winners include companies that have established themselves in the global marketplace and have millions of customers. I believe that the winners of the Awards categories this year will be no exception and that we will soon see many more unicorns born in Vilnius,” comments Mr Benkunskas.

The organisers announce the first 5 nominations:

Newcomer of the Year. The newcomers in the ecosystem who have achieved excellent results both in Lithuania and internationally will be awarded. Nominees:

Hoperfy, a corporate travel management company.
Monavate, a payment solutions company.
Deep Scientific, Deep Scientific, a start-up developing molecular sensors.
Payhawk, a business financial solutions and cost management company
PlugAndPlay, the Lithuanian branch of the US Startup Accelerator.

Rising star. The startups with high growth potential, rapid growth or significant expansion will be awarded. Nominees:

Ovoko, a platform for selling used car parts.
Atrandi Bioscience, a biotechnology company.
Turing School, a company that trains high-tech employees.
Heavy Finance, a crowdfunding platform.
myTU, a digital banking platform.

Highlight of the Year. An event or phenomenon that grows the startup ecosystem of Lithuania and encourages it to become the best place for unicorns. Nominees:

Opening of the Cyber City area in Naujamiestis.
Organisation of a direct flight to the Web Summit and related events.
Launch of the Tech Zity Vilnius project for startups.
The first public IT exam in Lithuania.
The Lithuanian startup ecosystem is the second fastest growing in Central and Eastern Europe. The value of the Lithuanian startup ecosystem has grown 17 times in 5 years.

Tech for Good. The nominees are the cleantech startups who are using technology to protect our planet:

Viezo, creators of a generator that converts vibrations into electricity.
Inbalance grid, developers of electric vehicle solutions and a network of charging stations
Inion, a developer of solar monitoring and analysis tools,
PVcase, a startup developing tools to organise solar power plants.
Dancer, a company offering electric public transport solutions.

Ecosystem Hero. These are startups, individuals or organisations that have successfully increased communication between communities and engaged their members in pursuing common goals. Nominees:

Darius Žakaitis, CEO of Tech Zity.
Tomas Okmanas and Eimantas Sabaliauskas, Managers of Tesonet.
Women Go Tech, an organisation that helps women pursue careers in IT.
Lithuanian Junior Achievement, a non-governmental organisation.
Vladas Lašas, an entrepreneur and investor.

Ecosystem growth is inseparable from cooperation

According to Inga Langaitė, CEO of Unicorns Lithuania, sharing experiences and connections both within the ecosystem and abroad is one of the prerequisites for the startup growth.

“By building a startup community, we share experiences and insights, provide a platform to help startups grow faster and solve various issues together. The Awards are not only about finding out who deserves to win, but also about encouraging the creation of the future of Lithuania – a successful modern country based on a high added value economy. We aim to have a startup ecosystem where startups become an important driver of Lithuania’s economic growth,” says Ms Langaitė.

Vilnius Mayor Mr Benkunskas points out that it is the community of startups and high-tech companies that makes Vilnius highly visible on the global map of business, investors and talent. This helps the city to receive highly significant awards in various international competitions. The best examples of this are the Europe’s Top City of the Future by fDi Intelligence, a branch of Financial Times, or the Business-Friendly City Perception Index by Emerging Europe, where Vilnius, which is celebrating its 700th anniversary this year, has been recognised as the most business-friendly city in emerging Europe.

Last year’s Awards winners celebrate their recognition

Omnisend won the “Startup of the Year” title at the Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards last year. According to Rytis Laurinavičius, CEO of the company having more than 100 000 clients in 130 countries, winning such an award helps to understand that the company is moving in the right direction.

“Like every award, it gave me a lot of joy and motivation. I thought there were other strong candidates and I didn’t consider us favourites. When you work, you see yourself from all sides – the underdog and the overachiever, so it’s important to see yourself from a winning perspective. It means a lot. These awards, together with the work we, Vilnius TechFusion, Unicorns LT or other startups, have done, mean that other businesses no longer look down on us. They appreciate our efforts and results. The ongoing Startup Awards help us to appreciate, understand and feel part of the community. Such initiatives connect and strengthen the community,” notes Mr Laurinavičius.

2023-06-07

Cleantech for Baltics Ecosystem Coalition launched to drive sustainable development in the region

Cleantech for Baltics Ecosystem Coalition was officially launched in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, marking a significant milestone in the run towards net-zero for the Baltic [...]

Cleantech for Baltics Ecosystem Coalition was officially launched in Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, marking a significant milestone in the run towards net-zero for the Baltic cleantech sector on May 23. Cleantech for Baltics initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of clean technologies and foster collaboration among the Baltic countries — Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. By pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise, Cleantech for Baltics endeavours to address pressing environmental challenges as business opportunities for driving the transition to a sustainable future.

The key objective of the Cleantech for Baltics Ecosystem Coalition is to tackle the Baltic cleantech challenges together - to increase investment opportunities and influence policy development - for creating the best environment for the growth of Baltic cleantech startups and scaleups. “This collaborative initiative represents a crucial step towards a development of Cleantech for Baltics, as we bring together key ecosystem members to drive innovation, motivate partnerships, and create lasting positive impact in our region,” says Erki Ani, Executive Director at Cleantech for Baltics.

The Coalition serves as a knowledge and opportunity sharing platform updating one another on the latest developments in the cleantech sector and sharing valuable insights and experiences. Cleantech for Baltics provides regular insights of the Baltic cleantech sector and policy scene; up-to-date information and analysis on the latest trends, innovations, and opportunities for the cleantech industry with the possibility to influence local and EU policy-making through the collaboration between Cleantech for Europe and other regional cleantech initiatives. By staying informed and engaged, the coalition members can make more informed decisions and drive positive change in their respective domains. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, the coalition aims to strengthen the collective efforts towards achieving sustainable growth.

To further advance the adoption of clean technologies, the coalition conducts deep dives into various cleantech sub-categories. By examining specific areas such as renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable transportation, the coalition aims to identify challenges, best practices, and emerging solutions. This in-depth exploration enables the coalition to develop targeted strategies and initiatives that address the unique needs and opportunities within each sub-category and country.

“By harnessing the power of cleantech innovation, we can revolutionize industries, mitigate climate change, and create a world where sustainability is the foundation of prosperity,” said Dr. Éric Dusseux, Venture Partner at Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a Cleantech for Baltics member and organization that aims to accelerate the clean energy transition to help the world reach net-zero emissions by 2050. “This ecosystem coalition will strengthen European cleantech and be a catalyst for decarbonization that will help safeguard the planet for future generations.”

The Cleantech for Baltics ecosystem coalition has successfully launched, bringing together a distinguished group of prominent organisations and associations dedicated to driving the race towards net-zero and fostering clean technology innovation in the Baltic region. The coalition boasts an impressive line-up of esteemed members, including the Latvian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Estonian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Lithuanian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association, Latvian Business Angel Network, Estonian Business Angel Network, Lithuanian Business Angel Network, Latvian Startup Association Startin.LV, Rockit Vilnius, Startup Estonia, Estonian Founders Society, Lithuanian Responsible Business Association, Investment and Development Agency of Latvia, Accelerate Estonia, Lithuanian Confederation of Renewable Resources, CleanTech Cluster Lithuania, Estonian Renewable Energy Association and Hydrogen Alliance Latvia.

Cleantech for Baltics is powered by Cleantech Estonia, Greentech Cluster Latvia, and Sunrise Tech Park, and is supported by Breakthrough Energy, a network of investment vehicles, philanthropic initiatives and policy and advocacy efforts founded by Bill Gates in 2015 to accelerate the clean energy transition and help the world reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

Launched in 2021, Cleantech for Europe represents the trailblazers developing, deploying and invesng in clean technologies across the EU. Our mission is to make cleantech a strategic priority in the EU by bridging the gap between cleantech and policy leaders. The iniave equips policymakers with insights about cleantech and builds coalions to chart a new path for the connent.

2023-04-13

Lithuanian Cleantech Ecosystem 2022 Review

In 2017 the consolidation of the Lithuanian cleantech market began. Since then, investments in local cleantech have reached 705 mils EUR. The energy, transportation, and [...]

In 2017 the consolidation of the Lithuanian cleantech market began. Since then, investments in local cleantech have reached 705 mils EUR. The energy, transportation, and resources sectors have been booming the most, with 48 startups and scale-ups attracting more than 50 investment rounds during the period.

The new “Lithuanian Cleantech Ecosystem 2022 Review”, published by Sunrise Tech Park and Cleantech Cluster Lithuania, analyzes local energy, mobility, and resource startup ecosystems, as well as engineering and production scale-ups with globally recognized cleantech products & services.

The research aims to highlight the importance of Lithuania’s clean technology sector for the local economy and position Lithuania in the context of the global economy. As renewable energy, new mobility, and related cleantech sectors are attracting significant global investments, it is hoped Lithuania should play an important role in this process.

Click HERE to see the review or check this link: https://bit.ly/LTCleantechEcosystem.

2022-11-30

Launch of Cleantech for Baltics to help become a vanguard in sustainable innovation

Cleantech for Baltics was launched at Baltic Sustainability Awards in Riga on November 30th.

Cleantech for Baltics

Cleantech for Baltics was launched at Baltic Sustainability Awards in Riga on November 30th.

Cleantech for Baltics goal is to strengthen the region by streamlining available opportunities and enabling stakeholders to mobilize finance, policies and demand to accelerate innovation. We intend to build bridges between the cleantech community and the Baltic policy-makers to put cleantech innovation at the centre of the public debate.

“The Baltics are one of the most exciting regions for cleantech innovation in Europe. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania can leverage their vibrant innovation ecosystems and strong demand for energy security and sustainability to develop and scale the technologies we need for a global net-zero emissions future. We believe that the Cleantech for Baltics coalition can be a platform for more coordination between investors, public decision-makers, innovators and companies to establish a new Baltic leadership in cleantech,” says Julia Reinaud, Senior Director at Breakthrough Energy.

Baltic countries are already taking ambitious steps towards the race to net zero with vibrant innovation ecosystems, regional and national policies in place, and more under development, not to mention the growing number of climate-aware industrial players, venture funds focusing on cleantech, sustainability-oriented citizens, and world-class scientists. As a group of three agile countries with shared sustainability and energy security goals, the Baltic region can build on cross-border synergies and complementarities to become one of the leading regions for developing and deployment the next generation of clean energy technologies.

“The Baltics are a great launchpad for cleantech innovation. The strong start-up culture means ideas can be validated quickly, before being scaled across Europe. We are thrilled to see Baltic countries coming together to make cleantech a regional strategic priority,” says Jules Besnainou, Executive Director at Cleantech for Europe.

“While our countries share a somewhat similar culture and history, the ambitions and progress in the cleantech sector innovation haven’t been too coordinated. Now, with the help of world-class leadership, we are translating the strategic development into a tremendous economic potential,” says Erki Ani, Chief Executive Officer at Cleantech for Baltics.

Issuing the Baltic cleantech sector report, looking at investment figures into innovative startups and policy-level opportunities or hindrances in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania marks the first step towards the planned activities of the initiative. Moreover, strengthening the core of Cleantech for Baltics, the founding members of the investor's coalition held the first meeting on November 29 to align the interests and paths forward in seeking broader scale capital allocation opportunities and insights from the Baltics VC community.

Cleantech for Baltics is supported by Breakthrough Energy and powered by Cleantech Estonia, Greentech Cluster Latvia and Sunrise Valley Science and Tech Park.

Supported by:

About Breakthrough Energy

Breakthrough Energy was founded by Bill Gates in 2015 to accelerate the clean energy transition and help the world reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Through investment vehicles, philanthropic programs, policy advocacy and other activities, Breakthrough Energy is committed to scaling the technologies the world needs to meet its climate goals.

About Cleantech for Europe

Launched in 2021, Cleantech for Europe represents the trailblazers developing, deploying and investing in clean technologies across the EU. Our mission is to make cleantech a strategic priority in the EU by bridging the gap between cleantech and policy leaders. The initiative equips policymakers with insights about cleantech and builds coalitions to chart a new path for the continent.

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