Vilnius Innovation Forum bespreekt rol innovatie in Europese economie (en)

On 4 December, Wednesday, the first Vilnius Innovation Forum ‘Innovation Drift’ hosted by the Ministry of Economy and the Agency for Science, Innovation and Technology (MITA) begins with the participation of the Inventor of the World Wide Web Sir Timothy John Berners-Lee. Business and science innovation leaders from different countries of Europe will share their insights on the significance of innovations for the pan-European economy. During the Forum, participants of this event, all residents and guests of Vilnius will be invited to the science and technology exhibition.

‘This event is an assembly of innovation leaders aimed at promoting discussions about the role of innovation, cooperation between academic and business community, highlighting innovations as the main instrument in addressing the problems of economic growth and employment at European level’, - says Minister of Economy Evaldas Gustas.

The Forum will host around 600 participants from Europe. High officials of the European Commission, heads of the most innovative enterprises, global and Lithuanian business and science leaders, representatives of the public sector will also participate in the event.

Innovation leaders and experts from Lithuania and other EU Member States will discuss EU competitiveness and the role of small and medium-sized business in creating an innovative Europe; also, they will share good experience,and establish new contacts. The discussions will be supplemented by the science and technology exhibition, and on the third day, the participants of the Forum will be invited to visit the most innovative enterprises of Lithuania.

More than 50 speakers from different countries of the world will deliver reports and moderate discussions during the Forum. Timothy John Berners-Lee named as one of the Most Important People of the 20th Century, who has changed the life of the whole world -- is credited as the inventor of the most outstanding modern innovation - the World Wide Web. He will start the Vilnius Innovation Forum with an inspiring report on global innovativeness and entrepreneurship.

Peter Boyd, the associate of Sir Richard Branson and the COO of ‘Carbon War Room’ will speak on the subject of eco-innovation. Allan Alaküla, Head of Tallinn EU Office, one of the founders of the free public transport system of the Capital of Estonia, will share the experience of the Capital of Estonia in the field of implementation of green innovations.

One of the most outstanding community leaders of the start-ups Christoph Räthke, the founder of Berlin Startup Academy, will deliver a report on the gripping theme ‘When NOT to Found a Startup’. Cheryl D. Miller who for many years has been active in the area of promotion of entrepreneurship among women and youth together with active business ladies from Lithuania will try to inspire the participants of the session about female innovators.

During the Forum, the largest EU research and innovation programme Horizon 2020 will be introduced with the budget of around EUR 70 billion. Under this programme, all innovation segments - from idea to the market - will be funded in the EU Member States in 2014-2020 based on 3 evaluation criteria, including high quality scientific research, competitive industry and social benefits.

On 4 December, at 10:30, the press conference of Minister of Economy Evaldas Gustas, MITA Director Arūnas Karlonas and keynote speaker of the Forum Timothy John Berners-Lee will take place in the Sky bar of Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva, during which the main issues of the Vilnius Innovation Forum will be introduced.

During the Forum, the exhibition of science and technology will also be organised at Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva to gather Lithuanian and international enterprises, science and technology parks, representatives of governmental institutions and business community as well as professionals from different spheres to present their innovative solutions, inventions and ideas. Almost 40 participants of the exhibition will demonstrate various exhibits on their stands: from the electric bicycle motor praised by Sir Richard Branson, unique musical instruments, smart toys, robots and special innovative programmes to mobile laboratories and the first Lithuanian space satellites. The exhibition will be open for all residents of Vilnius and guests of the Capital City on 4 December, at 16:00-20:00, and on 5 December, at 15:30-18:00. More information about the exhibition is available in the ‘Exhibition’ section of the internet website: www.vif2013.com.