Episode 77: Ecosystem Zoom In – The Lithuanian Case

3 million people, and around 250 fintechs. This is what it took to put Lithuania in 4th place in the GLOBAL FinTech Index in 2020. The population is truly devoted to "Building the Lithuanian dream" and the results are visible. Meaghan Johnson agreed and hosted this vibrant episode with 3 stakeholders creating impact themselves: Zygimantas Zabieta (Ioon Technologies), Vytautas Černiauskas (Contribee) and Sarune Smalakyte (ROCKIT). We can't recommend enough for you to take an hour and enjoy the first Baltics Ecosystem Zoom In at Breaking Banks Europe. More on our guests:Zygimantas Zabieta (CEO at Ioon Technologies)Zygimantas is a future innovation maniac, founder of the e-mobility startup, and enthusiast of the renewable energy and blockchain industry. He is a professional speaker, moderator of tech events, startup mentor, professional networker, and Global Shaper. He holds an MSc degree in Environmental Management and Policy at Lund University. Zygimantas managed a number of renewable energy and e-mobility projects, including the development of the first Lithuanian EV fast-charging network in 2017. In 2018 he started to build the Lithuanian blockchain community by organising 70 events in just 8 months. Later, he joined a business consultancy, where he managed international blockchain startup acceleration projects. In the mid-2020, he started his own company in the e-mobility sector. Ioon Technologies develops a mobile battery-powered EV charger that will provide access to faster EV charging anywhere in the world.Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zabieta/ClubHouse: @zzabieta Vytautas Černiauskas (Co-founder of Contribee, Expert at Startup Division and Civitta)Vytautas is deeply engaged in innovations and the startup ecosystem. He has mentored, coached and advised more than 100 startups. He has over 14 years of experience in business development, operations, project management, communications. Vytautas has earned an MBA degree, worked at Swedbank, Uber and has startup experience.Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vytvyt/Contribee: https://contribee.com/ Sarune Smalakyte (Head of ROCKIT)Sarune is the Head of ROCKIT – the Home of FinTech and Sustainable Innovation in Lithuania powered by Swedbank.Since 2016 she has been managing the biggest community of FinTech creators and founders in the country. Together with ROCKIT, she brings talent, expertise, knowledge, and infrastructure to support the local ecosystem through various programs, events, B2B matchmaking, direct links to the ecosystem leaders, hosting and accelerating startups. Sarune is an active supporter and mentor for entrepreneurship programs, especially focusing on women in technology. Before joining ROCKIT, she has worked as a Community Manager for an international FinTech Hub Rise created by Barclays.ROCKIT: https://www.rockitvilnius.com/Linkedln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarunesmalakyte/