Lithuania’s thriving startup ecosystem has reached impressive new heights in 2024, with ROCKIT playing a vital role in driving innovation, scaling businesses, and creating global opportunities. As the region’s leading Fintech and Sustainable Innovation Hub, ROCKIT has empowered startups across industries, from renewable energy to AI and health tech, through its transformative acceleration programs.
Garmio’s Inspiring Journey
One of this year's standout successes is Garmio, a startup that embodies the spirit of persistence and innovation. After joining ROCKIT’s pre-accelerator program at the last moment, Garmio claimed the main prize. Later they continued its winning streak by taking the top spot in the Kickstart Lab program hosted by Inovacijų agentūra and Jaunaragiai and won the prize of 10k. Reflecting on their journey, the Co-Founder at Garmio shared:
"We were the last to apply, and we are super happy with it! I don’t think there is a thing that we would change. The one thing I heard from a team is that the investors themselves were a bit lazy with actual opportunity seeking."
Empowering Startups Through Acceleration
ROCKIT’s Highway Acceleration Program supported 45 startups in 2024, providing mentorship, funding access, and networking opportunities. Here are some of the most notable achievements:
Soliport: Built the largest solar energy park in the Baltic region, advancing Lithuania’s renewable energy goals.
SensePilot: Secured a prestigious grant of 10K through the EIT Health InnoStars program to innovate in health tech.
Greenie started their first pilot project at Vilnius airport to help travelers figure out the right bin for their waste in just a few seconds.
Progressa.ai: Launched its first AI-powered employee, setting new standards in HR tech.
Vestimus and Momentha started their apps which is a great achievement in their startup journey.
ROCKIT’s Broader Impact
ROCKIT organized 16 major events in 2024, fostering collaboration and thought leadership, while 100+ mentorship connections provided startups with expert guidance. With 6 startups represented internationally, Lithuania’s innovation story reached a global audience in the best innovation conferences: TechChill, Barcelona Smart City, and Tech BBQ.
Reflections from Startups
The structured and supportive nature of the programs has been a critical factor in the success of many participants. Inga Šakalienė, Co-Founder at UGC Europe, reflected on her experience:
"The program was truly perfectly structured, with each lecture being incredibly valuable. I appreciated how everything was gradually explored in depth. This approach helped us better understand where, as a team, we need to put in more effort."
Looking Ahead to 2025
As ROCKIT moves forward, the focus remains on driving progress in renewable energy, AI integration, and global partnerships. With a clear vision and a proven track record, ROCKIT is not just accelerating startups—it’s redefining Lithuania’s startup ecosystem as a global leader.
Congratulations to all the trailblazing innovators who made 2024 an extraordinary year!