Smart city
solutions
A capital with momentum
Vilnius is a capital that combines ambition with agility. Compact in scale, international in outlook and practical in execution, it has built a reputation as a place where ideas move quickly from concept to delivery. That combination has helped the city establish itself as one of Europe’s most competitive mid-sized investment locations.
In the Financial Times’ fDi Intelligence European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025 rankings, Vilnius placed third overall among Europe’s mid-sized cities. It ranked first for FDI strategy, second for human capital and quality of life, and fourth for both economic potential and business friendliness. These results reflect a city that is not only growing, but doing so with consistency and credibility.
An Idea that Travelled the World
One of the clearest expressions of that mindset is the Portal – a Vilnius-born idea that has grown into an international network. Launched in May 2021 as a live visual link between Vilnius and Lublin, it expanded in 2024 to Dublin and New York, with the latter later moving to Philadelphia. The network continued to grow in 2025 and 2026 with new locations in Vilnius Town Hall Square, Ipswich, Manila and Piauí, showing how an idea created in Vilnius has developed into a globally recognised public innovation project with real international visibility and impact.
Open by Design
Vilnius treats openness in a practical way – using public data and digital infrastructure to make it easier for companies to build, test and improve real solutions in a live city environment.
A clear example is Trafi, which emerged in Vilnius and shows how access to city transport data can be turned into a scalable product used well beyond the local market.
The result is a city where public systems and private innovation work closely together, allowing ideas to move faster from concept to real-world application.
A Recognised Investment Destination
International recognition matters because it signals consistency over time. Vilnius’ recent success in the fDi rankings did not emerge overnight. The city has also ranked first in FDI attraction for technology companies, placed among Europe’s leading mid-sized cities in earlier editions of the rankings, and earned repeated recognition for the strength of its investment strategy.
That track record strengthens the case for Vilnius as a serious long-term investment location rather than a short-term success story. For international companies evaluating where to establish or expand, consistency is often as important as momentum.
A Strong Innovation Economy
At the heart of the Vilnius offer is a fast-maturing innovation economy. Lithuania’s startup ecosystem reached a total enterprise value of 16.4 billion euro in 2025, while venture capital investment rose from 131 million euro to 220 million euro year on year. Since 2020, Lithuania has ranked second in Central and Eastern Europe for venture capital investment per capita, performing at more than four times the regional average.
Vilnius remains the main engine of that momentum. It is the country’s principal centre for startups, scale-ups, investors and technology talent, and continues to strengthen its position across fintech, cybersecurity, biotechnology, AI and digital services. The city’s innovation story is no longer only about promise – it is increasingly about scale, capability and results.
A Place Where Companies Can Frow
The city has also attracted international companies such as Johnson Matthey, which operates a shared services centre in Vilnius, alongside global firms including Nasdaq, Western Union and Moody’s, all of which maintain significant operational hubs in the city. This mix of international corporates and fast-growing tech companies strengthens the market’s depth and credibility.
Talent with an International Mindset
Talent is one of Vilnius’ greatest strengths. The city brings together a young, educated and internationally minded workforce, with more than 53,000 students and over half of residents under 40. Around 85 percent of young professionals are proficient in English, making it easier for international companies to build teams that can operate confidently across markets from day one.
For investors, that means more than access to talent. It means faster hiring, smoother integration into global operations and a workforce that is comfortable with change, technology and growth. In Vilnius, companies gain not only skills and capability, but also the energy, adaptability and international outlook needed to scale successfully in a competitive global market.
Quality of Life that Supports Growth
Quality of life has become an increasingly important part of the investment decision. Vilnius ranked second for human capital and quality of life in the 2025 fDi mid-sized cities ranking, reinforcing the city’s appeal not only as a place to do business, but as a place where international professionals can build careers and stay.
Vilnius combines the infrastructure and energy of a capital city with a scale that remains manageable. It is dynamic without being overwhelming, green without being remote, and international without losing its sense of place. For employers competing for global talent, that balance can make a meaningful difference in attraction, retention and long-term competitiveness.
Why Vilnius
Vilnius today offers something many locations promise, but fewer deliver – momentum with manageability, talent with international capability, and innovation with proven execution. It combines external validation from respected international rankings with measurable momentum in venture capital, startup growth and talent development.