Lithuania leads Baltic startup resurgence with record €238M funding and surge in exits

Lithuania’s Startup Surge: A Baltic Powerhouse Poised to Redefine Europe’s Tech Landscape

In a year marked by global venture market recalibration, Lithuania has emerged as one of Europe’s most resilient and dynamic early-stage tech ecosystems. According to a comprehensive new report by FIRSTPICK and Practica Capital, the Baltic nation raised a staggering €238 million in startup funding in 2024, alongside a record-breaking number of exits—cementing its status as a regional leader in innovation and growth.

But the real headline? Lithuania’s early-stage segment is on fire. Pre-seed and seed-stage startups attracted €77 million in funding, with €56.52 million alone going to seed-stage companies. This marks a historic high for the country, driven by a surge in deal volume rather than inflated ticket sizes, which remained steady at around €2 million per round. This balanced growth signals a healthy, sustainable ecosystem where opportunity is abundant and capital is flowing strategically.

A Unicorn Emerges, and the Sky’s the Limit

In January 2025, CAST AI joined the ranks of Lithuania’s unicorns, becoming the country’s fifth. This milestone is more than just a badge of honor—it’s a testament to the depth and maturity of Lithuania’s tech scene. But what’s truly exciting is what’s driving this momentum.

As Andra Bagdonaitė, Partner at FIRSTPICK, explains, the surge in exits reflects a global appetite for Lithuanian startups. “Foreign acquirers are buying these companies primarily for product depth, IP, and teams—not local market access,” she says. “The common thread is predictable enterprise value creation: sticky workflows, regulatory or operational complexity, and products that scale faster within a global distribution engine.”

In other words, Lithuanian startups aren’t just building for local markets—they’re crafting solutions with global impact, and the world is taking notice.

Vilnius: The Heart of the Baltic Startup Boom

At the center of this ecosystem is Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, which has doubled down on fostering innovation. Over the past year, the city has expanded its startup-formation infrastructure with hackathons, accelerator-style programs, and new hacker spaces like Basedspace and Lost Astronaut. These initiatives are democratizing entrepreneurship, bringing in talent from diverse backgrounds and fueling a pipeline of fresh ideas.

“Vilnius’ startup ecosystem is gaining global attention not just for its strong numbers, but for the quality of companies emerging across the capital and the country,” says Mangirdas Šapranauskas, Head of the Business Department at Go Vilnius, the city’s official tourism and development agency. “Investors are increasingly backing teams that can scale internationally, and our network of innovation programs and talent initiatives ensures that these companies are ready to compete on a global stage.”

A Region on the Rise

Lithuania isn’t alone in its ascent. Across the Baltics, similar initiatives are producing dozens of new startup teams, broadening access to entrepreneurship and fostering a culture of innovation. Estonia, Lithuania’s neighbor, is also seeing strong early-stage activity, with both countries now leading the region in median pre-seed valuations. Lithuania, in particular, is showing the fastest upward momentum among its Baltic peers.

And the momentum shows no signs of slowing. With new venture funds launched across the region in 2025 and more investment vehicles expected in 2026, capital deployment in Lithuania is forecast to grow further. This influx of capital, combined with a robust pipeline of talent and innovation, is reinforcing Vilnius’ position as one of the fastest-rising startup centers in Central and Eastern Europe.

The Future is Bright—and Global

As early-stage investment and exits hit record highs, Lithuania is attracting investors from across Europe and the US. Its growing ecosystem of programs, talent, and capital is positioning the country as a Baltic startup hub capable of producing companies that can compete globally. And with the trend showing no signs of slowing in 2026, the world should be watching closely.

Lithuania isn’t just keeping pace with Europe’s tech giants—it’s carving out its own path, proving that innovation knows no borders. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, or tech enthusiast, one thing is clear: the Baltic startup revolution is here, and Lithuania is leading the charge.

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