2025 for Tech-Park Kaunas and Its Community: Key Highlights, Expansion, and Achievements

After finishing 2025 in high gear, we took a brief breather in early January to reflect on what the year meant for Tech-Park Kaunas and our community. In short: it was intense, productive, and responsive to the tense geopolitical climate.

Even Greater Focus on Defense and Dual-Use Technologies

• Signed the establishment agreement for the "Vytis" security and dual-use technology testing center. The project value stands at €20 million. Read more: HERE
  
  
• Organized the "Fire Shield: Mission AI 2025" hackathon for the third time in partnership with the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union. One of the largest and most significant defense technology events in the Baltics, it brought together a record number of teams—over 50.
  
  
• The hackathon opened with the high-profile international conference "Defence Innovation Frontiers: Land, Air, Space," which gathered defense tech experts, policy makers, and business leaders from Lithuania and Europe. Read more: HERE
  
  
• Hosted the innovation workshop "Response to Airspace Security Challenges Here and Now" to address national defense needs. Bringing together around 70 innovators, startups, businesses, scientists, and specialists, the event aimed to help participants form consortiums and apply for the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation’s €1 million technology program designed to strengthen Lithuania's airspace security. Read more: HERE
  
  
• Held the practical meeting "Business. Science. Defense Development," where startups presented their technologies and discussions focused on what needs to be produced for the Lithuanian Armed Forces to increase the country's defense potential.
  
  
• Signed a cooperation agreement for the development of the "Miltech Sandbox" defense innovation testing and prototyping infrastructure. This is a crucial step in developing the ecosystem in Lithuania and strengthening cooperation between the national defense system, academia, and business.

Expanding Our International Network

• Joined the formation of the new Organisation for Defence Innovation in the Nordics (ODIN).

• Joined the European Business and Innovation Centre Network (EBN), which connects over 170 organizations from more than 35 countries.

• Strengthened cooperation with the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). Their experts actively participated in "Fire Shield" and other events at the Park, which serves as an associated NATO DIANA center.

Executed 18 International and National Projects

Successfully implemented and co-created with partners:

• "BSI_4Women" – An incubation program designed to strengthen women's entrepreneurship and innovation skills, focused on female entrepreneurs and innovators from Ukraine and other countries.

• "DistanceLAB" – Digital remote collaboration tools, training, and methodological guidelines for more effective organizational work.

• "Circular Spaces" – A collaboration network for circular economy makerspaces in the Baltic Sea region, including training, methodology, and practical tools to boost sustainability competencies.

• "3I Solutions for PS" – Strengthened innovation management practices in the Baltic region by applying XR technologies, organizing hackathons, and contributing to the improvement of public services.

• "VR4INCLUSIVE_VET" – Promoted the application of Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) solutions, creating inclusive and easily accessible digital learning tools in various technical fields.

Launched new projects driving change:

• "InnoCoop" – Strengthening innovative cooperation among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in European regions and improving policy instruments that support business innovation and regional competitiveness.

• "RENATURE" – Promoting and supporting the application of nature-based solutions to tackle climate change challenges, while strengthening education and youth employment opportunities in the green economy.

• "AI4VET" – Enhancing the digital skills of vocational training educators and students by developing innovative AI tools and "future classroom" learning modules to ensure more inclusive and personalized learning.

• "Inclusion of Neurodiverse Employees in the Tech Sector" – A project aiming to increase the inclusion of neurodiverse individuals (e.g., those with dyslexia, ADHD, or autism spectrum traits) in Nordic and Baltic tech companies by identifying inclusion challenges and creating practical workplace solutions.

Hosted 30+ Live and Remote Events

• 2 Pre-acceleration programs: "MedTech and DigiTech"

• Tech-Park Kaunas Pre-acceleration Program "Demo Day"

• "Tech_Champ 2025" Hackathon

• "Innovators' Breakfast"

• "Coffee with Tech-Park Kaunas"

• "Fire Shield: Mission AI 2025" Hackathon

• "International Coaching Day"

• Defense Innovation Workshops

• "First Customer Accelerator" program training

2025 Brought Great Achievements for the Tech-Park Kaunas Community

Current Park members, alumni, and hackathon participants attracted investments, won competitions, and executed intensive expansion plans:

• "PDKinematics" won the main prize of "Fire Shield" - negotiations for a €1 million investment from the "Coinvest Capital" fund and private investors.

• "BrachyDOSE," a medical technology startup based at Tech-Park Kaunas, gained significant investor confidence - the team secured €554,000 in funding to test their solution in a real hospital environment.

• "RSI Europe," "Luna Robotics," and "Aktyvus Photonics" were not only among the nine finalists of the "German-Baltic Business Award 2025" but also became prize winners. "RSI Europe" took home the main prize.

• "BrainPredict" became the winner of the "Startup" category at the "Kaunas Startup Awards." They are developing advanced medical forecasting technology to assess brain risks after hemorrhagic stroke. They entered the incubation program after winning the Park's "Demo Day" pre-acceleration program.

• "Luna Robotics," a startup formed during the first "Fire Shield," attracted a €1 million investment in 2025. They intend to use this for sales and partnership expansion in the EU and US, manufacturing automation, and capacity building.

The Cherry on Top: Kaunas Startup Awards 2025

• At the most anticipated celebration for the innovator community, nine of the brightest, "deepest," most advanced, and promising startups were announced.
  
  
• The main award - "Startup of the Year" - was won by "Fivrec," a company that gives rare metals from batteries a new lease on life. Find all the winners: HERE