\nLithuania\u2019s capital Vilnius to get \u2018Europe\u2019s largest tech campus,\u2019 costing \u20ac100M<\/br>
\n2023-06-23 22:04:58<\/br><\/p>\n
Lithuania is vying to become<\/a> one of the major European tech hubs, bolstered by a growing number of so-called \u201cunicorn\u201d startups and governmental efforts to attract a high-profile accelerator to the country. At the same time, a new \u20ac100 million private initiative announced today is setting out to create what would be Europe\u2019s largest tech campus, situated in the heart of Lithuania\u2019s capital Vilnius.<\/p>\n Building on the site of an old Soviet-era sewing factory in the city\u2019s New Town, Tech Zity<\/a>, as the project is called, is touted to open in 2024 with office space for 5,000 workers, auditoriums for meetings and events, and more. In addition, a core selling point will be its focus on hybrid working, with a 24\/7 ethos supported by co-living spaces, restaurants and bars for out-of-work socializing.<\/p>\n At 55,000 square metres (592,015 square feet), Tech Zity would be nearly two-thirds bigger than Station F in Paris<\/a>, which opened back in 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\n Lithuania doesn\u2019t always fall on the mainstream tech startup radar, but there has been some notable activity there these past few years. Second-hand clothes marketplace Vinted<\/a>, for example, hit unicorn status back in 2019<\/a>, going to raise<\/a> some $562 million at a $4.5 billion valuation with notable backers including Accel, Insight Partners and Lightspeed Venture Partners.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s Nord Security of NordVPN fame<\/a>, which hit a $1.6 billion valuation<\/a> last year off the back of its first institutional fundraise from the likes of private equity firm Novator, VC firm General Catalyst and WordPress co-creator Matt Mullenweg. Elsewhere, fledgling Vilnius-based fintech Kevin scooped a $65 million Series A<\/a> last year from big-name backers including Accel.<\/p>\n To capitalize on this, Lithuania\u2019s Ministry of the Economy and Innovation announced a \u20ac13 million open tender<\/a> back in March to attract an \u201cinternationally acclaimed startup accelerator\u201d to the country. So now would seem as good a time as any for the private realm to take up the mantle and build what Tech Zity touts as an \u201cinfrastructure first\u201d campus replete with all the amenities a tech company might need.<\/p>\n The Tech Zity project\u2019s funding hails from several sources. Of the planned \u20ac100 million fund required to fulfil the project, some \u20ac30 million has been committed so far, with Vinted co-founder and chief operating officer Mantas Mikuckas contributing around 80% of the initial tranche and Tech Zity founder Darius \u017dakaitis making up the remainder. This \u201cprimary\u201d phase has involved buying the land and buildings, and laying the groundwork for the reconstruction required to transform the site. For the next phase, Tech Zity is looking to secure the additional \u20ac70 million from various sources, including banks and private investors.<\/p>\n \u201cOur main goal is to foster the startup community,\u201d \u017dakaitis explained to TechCrunch. \u201cCurrently, this community is scattered in different locations. Startups and tech companies highly value the opportunity to be together, exchange knowledge and experience. Most of them go through similar stages, face similar challenges and problems, such as growth hacking and bootstrapping with limited budgets, entering larger markets, leveraging AI capabilities, attracting investments and developing funds and more. The best answers to these questions can come from those who have already walked this path and have built successful startups.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s worth noting that the \u201cTech Zity\u201d brand already exists, as it is the name of the overarching real estate company behind the project which has already launched four smaller hubs across the Lithuanian capital and surrounding area. These include Tech Park<\/a>, which was converted from an old hospital back in 2016 and is now home to a number of businesses, including Google\u2019s main regional hub; Tech Loft<\/a>, which is primarily targeted at seed-stage startups; Tech Arts<\/a>, a hybrid co-working and events space; and\u00a0Tech Spa<\/a>, a work-resort crossover about an hour away from Vilnius.<\/p>\n Collectively, Tech Zity\u2019s four existing locations amount to some 20,000 square meters, meaning that with its eponymous flagship campus opening next year, Tech Zity\u2019s sprawling footprint will hit the 75,000-square-meters mark across the region.<\/p>\n The Tech Zity Vilnius site is located less than two miles from the city center, and just a 10-minute walk from Vinted\u2019s HQ and Nord Security, which recently moved into its new HQ in the new Cyber City<\/a> complex. At first glance, the two initiatives seem fairly similar; however, Cyber City appears to be centred<\/a> largely around companies affiliated with Lithuanian incubator and accelerator Tesonet<\/a>, which helped birth<\/a> the likes of Nord and Surfshark, which merged last year<\/a>, as well as startups such as<\/a> Oxylabs and CyberCare.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are not competing,\u201d \u017dakaitis said. \u201cOn the contrary, we will collaborate to make this part of Vilnius a kind of Lithuanian Silicon Valley.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Tech Zity: Vilnius. Image Credits:<\/strong> Google Maps<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tech Zity\u2019s new site in 3D. Image Credits:<\/strong> Tech Zity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tech Zity will be built on an old industrial site spread across three adjacent streets.<\/p>\n Drone\u2019s eye view: The Tech Zity Vilnius site as it looks today. Image Credits:<\/strong> Tech Zity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n One of the main goals during the conversion is to upcycle much of the original materials at the site, including adapting old sewing machine parts for chairs and phone booths, and repurposing old ventilation systems for boardroom tables and kitting out new kitchens.<\/p>\n The sewing factory today. Image Credits:<\/strong> Tech Zity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tech Zity: Artist\u2019s impression. Image Credits:<\/strong> Tech Zity<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As for living spaces, well, the current plan for\u00a0Tech Zity Vilnius is to build 70 to 80 co-living loft spaces above the offices.<\/p>\n \u201cThese lofts will be designed for both short-term and long-term rentals, as we see the demand for such accommodation,\u201d \u017dakaitis said. \u201cThey will not only serve the needs of companies operating within the project who receive guests, but also contribute to the project\u2019s vitality 24\/7. Additionally, we also plan to provide various services for employees and residents, such as a sports club, beauty services, restaurants and more.\u201d<\/p>\n While startups will be a major target market for Tech Zity, it\u2019s ultimately aimed at everyone from individual freelancers who can work from cafes or other shared working spaces, to companies ranging from five to 300 employees.<\/p>\n \u201cWe estimate that there are currently 18,000 employees working in Lithuania\u2019s startup ecosystem,\u201d \u017dakaitis said. \u201cWe aim to have a diverse audience that fosters connections within Lithuania\u2019s startup ecosystem and drives the creation of new products. We are also open to and engaged in discussions not only with local companies but also with international companies interested in establishing a presence in Vilnius through the Invest Lithuania<\/a> program or invited by the Bank of Lithuania, particularly in fintech.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/br><\/br><\/br><\/p>\nZity slickers<\/h2>\n
A \u201cLithuanian Silicon Valley\u201d<\/h2>\n
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