Vilnius Featured in Forbes: the Capital's AI Wave Gains Global Attention

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.

The article, titled “The Lithuania AI Wave - Small Teams, Global Wins”, emphasizes what we see every day in the city: compact, fast-moving tech teams that think globally from day one. The feature also has a direct connection to Vilnius. Ron Schmelzer joined us earlier this year as a moderator at Going Global 5: Owning the Origins and the Future, where he led the discussion “To AI or Not to AI - Is Your Startup Doomed Without It?” His new Forbes piece expands on many of the themes and founders he explored while in Vilnius.

Forbes describes Vilnius as a city experiencing rapid momentum, noting that it feels "energetic and restless" as more startups and established companies lean into AI to capture global markets. The article highlights Lithuania's competitive edge, pointing out that it does not come from subsidies or oversized funding rounds, but from small, highly disciplined teams solving focused problems with speed and efficiency. It also underscores how Vilnius is shaping a model for small markets seeking scale, driven by founders who build fast, let software do the heavy lifting, and aim for global relevance.

The story features companies working across agentic AI, enterprise software, education and health tech, including teams such as Sintra.ai, Unive, Oxipit, and Exacaster.

For Vilnius, this recognition reinforces the growing global understanding that the city is not only building new businesses, but cultivating AI-first companies designed to lead in international markets. From emerging innovation districts to a strong talent pipeline and a rapidly expanding AI community, Vilnius is proving that small ecosystems can drive major technological shifts.