The Startuolis Project is designed to accelerate the growth of the startup ecosystem in Central and Western Lithuania. Over the course of the project, we will organize a variety of events, including hackathons, innovation bootcamps, and both incubation and pre-acceleration programs, to help startups develop and scale. These programs will be available in four key cities—Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, and Panevėžys—connecting local entrepreneurs with the resources, mentorship, and network they need to succeed. By bridging the gap between Vilnius and the rest of the country, the project aims to create lasting impact, fostering innovation and providing real opportunities for growth across the region.
 

Despite the national ecosystem's surge in global rankings, with Lithuania climbing 20 spots in the 2023 Startup Genome report to rank between 41st and 50th globally, and holding strong positions in Europe and the EU as per StartupBlink, about 71% of all startups are still based in Vilnius. This concentration highlights the need for a more balanced geographic distribution of startups across the country. 

 

 

Hackathons - short events where participants—including teams and startups—learn about key startup-related topics and have the opportunity to pitch their ideas. These events are designed to spark innovation and provide immediate feedback from peers and professionals.

Incubation - this program is tailored for startups and research teams ready to take their Life Sciences and Deep Tech ventures to the next level. It includes comprehensive online workshops, one-on-one mentoring, and access to facilities for practical experiments, supporting growth and market readiness.

Pre-Acceleration - building on the foundation of our incubation program, the pre-acceleration phase offers a 7-week, mostly online curriculum but delves into more advanced knowledge areas. Designed for established startups, this program sharpens strategic business skills and deepens connections with industry experts and investors, paving the way for significant growth and advancement.

De minimis aid is a form of state aid regulated under European Union guidelines, designed to offer small amounts of financial support to companies without the need for prior approval by the EU Commission. This type of aid is intended to facilitate minor assistance that has a minimal impact on competition and trade within the internal market. Under these rules, a company can receive up to €300,000 over three fiscal years, which can be used to support various aspects of business growth and development.

For startups participating in our programs, de minimis aid plays a crucial role. Enrolled startups do not face direct charges for their participation; instead, the cost is covered through de minimis aid allocations. This setup allows emerging businesses to leverage essential resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities provided by the accelerator, without straining their financial resources.