Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards

For the fifth consecutive year, the public institution Go Vilnius and its partners hosted one of the most important events for the local startup ecosystem – the Vilnius TechFusion Startup Awards 2023. Dedicated entirely to the startup community, the event is proudly organized under the Vilnius TechFusion brand, in collaboration with the association Unicorns Lithuania, which unites Lithuanian startups, as well as the formidable Sunrise Tech Park, one of Lithuania’s premier science and technology hubs. The awards honour startups that bring the highest value, while also expressing gratitude to them for championing Vilnius and contributing to Lithuania’s economic growth. Every candidate went through a selection process and was then assessed by a specialized jury consisting of experts from startup support organizations and representatives of businesses that collaborate with startups.

Startup Awards regulations*
*Regulations are written in Lithuanian

2023 Startup Awards nominations:

1. Startup of the Year: The primary award, with the winner chosen by Startup ecosystem leaders, given to the most exceptional and deserving Startup.

Five awards determined by a jury of experts:

2. Newcomer of the Year: The award celebrating the most notable foreign startup that moved part of its operations to Vilnius. This award serves as motivation for international companies to take notice of Vilnius. For the recipients, it symbolizes gratitude for successfully building a business and creating new job opportunities within the city.

3. Rising Star: This award is given to early-stage startups based in Vilnius. It recognizes the uniqueness of a startup, which is assessed through rapid growth, significant development and the potential to attract investments, as well as the potential number of jobs it creates. The goal of this award is to identify and promote companies that, while not widely recognized, are actively contributing to the city’s prosperity.

4. Highlight of the Year: This award recognizes an accomplishment that enhances the Lithuanian startup ecosystem and inspires us to work collectively towards the shared aspiration of becoming the premier destination for nurturing unicorns. It represents a moment like no other that brought value to the entire startup ecosystem. This nomination serves to honour exceptional achievements.

5. Ecosystem Hero: This award is designed for startups, individuals or organizations that have effectively enhanced communication within the community and engaged its members in pursuing shared objectives. It aims to promote and support community-focused initiatives.

6. Tech for Good: This award highlights the flagships in cleantech – startups dedicated to both innovation and environmental preservation. We celebrate those who harness technology to create a positive environmental impact, promote sustainability and push the boundaries of clean innovation. In light of the crucial target to achieve zero emissions by 2050, the Tech for Good Award is more than just recognition – it serves as a testament to technology’s potential to steer Lithuania towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.

The winner of this award is determined through public voting on the information partner’s channel:

7. Public’s Favourite: The award is dedicated to the most renowned, cherished and beloved startups in our society. The winner is determined through online voting on public news portals or social media platforms from the pool of nominated startups. This category aims to elevate the visibility of startups esteemed not just by members of the startup ecosystem or experts, but also by the general public.