The Vilnius TechFusion Awards is one of the few moments in the year when founders, scale-ups, investors, partners, and ecosystem builders are in the same room, comparing notes on what actually happened over the past year. Some stories are already widely known. Others are just becoming clear.
Vilnius has launched Europe’s first emotion-based city currency, inviting residents and visitors to reflect on their childhood Christmas memories for a limited-run note redeemable at 40 local businesses. The initiative blends soft economic stimulus with a public demonstration of how trust, sentiment and collective memory form the basis of value.
Vilnius has been ranked #1 in Europe and #2 globally for its supportive sharing economy, thanks to business-friendly regulations and strong community ties. The city's compact scale builds trust in new services and makes Vilnius a standout model for shared economy growth across Europe.
Vilnius has launched an open international architectural competition to select the design concept for the future Vilnius Congress Centre, a flagship venue aimed at transforming the city’s competitiveness in the global meetings and events market. Proposals are invited until 16 March 2026, with a total prize fund of 100 000 euros. The winning concept will form the basis for a next-generation congress centre planned for completion at the end of 2031 on A. Goštauto street, next to the Parliament of the Republic of Lithuania.
A quiet but significant shift is underway in the global business world - a company’s origin is once again gaining strategic value. What once seemed like mere symbolic pride has now become a currency of authenticity, trust, and reputation. This trend is particularly evident in Vilnius, where companies - from technology to life sciences - don’t hide their roots, but leverage them as a competitive advantage.
In the latest Sharing Economy Index published by the international organization Consumer Choice Center, Vilnius ranked first in Europe and second in the world, only behind Dubai. Nashville takes third place globally, followed by Tallinn in fourth and London in fifth. This ranking highlights that the Lithuanian capital offers consumers an excellent range of sharing economy services with minimal regulatory barriers.
Vilnius has once again stepped into the global spotlight. Forbes published an in-depth story by long-time AI analyst and columnist Ron Schmelzer, highlighting the rapid acceleration of Lithuania’s AI ecosystem and the global ambition shaping Vilnius-based companies.