The Hack4Restart event included business meetings to expert presentations on the most relevant tech-related topics
On March 30th, more than 30 industrial and technological companies’ representatives gathered at the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) library, located on the student campus. The event “Hack4ReStart | B2B Matchmaking” was organised here by Lithuanian Engineering and Technology Industry Association (LINPRA) and KTU and aimed to promote cooperation between small and medium-sized companies and boost integration of technologically advanced solutions in the manufacturing processes. Participants have a unique opportunity to assess the progress of the company’s digitisation.
The Hack4Restart event is part of the international project ReStartSMEs initiated by the European Commission. Events of this kind have already been held in the project’s partner countries – Italy and Germany and will be held in Portugal and Romania in April and May. The project partners, organising events highlighting business synergies, openly invite companies from all over Europe to register, not defining only one country and thus expanding the opportunities for business partnerships on an international scale.
“It is important to mention that the project not only connects industrial companies, but also expands their competencies and knowledge. The project’s partners are specialised technological centres, “Eurecat” and “Imec”, whose experts, during consultations, allow companies to assess the level of digitalisation within the company. Then, after preparing deeper analyses, they provide valuable recommendations for improving and developing the company’s digitalisation”,- Darius Lasionis, the Head of Linpra, listed all the benefits experts can provide.
A group of project partners attended the event in Lithuania, including the experts from the aforementioned technological centres who advised companies during Hack4Restart.
The event features a new “reverse pitching” format and active networking of the participants
“At the beginning of the event, a relatively new “reverse pitch session” format was presented, in which, unlike the traditional one, when only one company (usually a start-up) presents itself, presentations are made by both potential business partners – both the customer and the potential service provider. This format allows quickly get to know a large number of companies in a short time and to find the most relevant partners for the company”, said Vidmantas Vaitulevičius, one of the organizers of the event, head of the ReStart SMEs project.
Both those who came to the venue and the representatives of the companies connected remotely had the opportunity to present their company’s activities briefly, the products they develop and the services they provide, which could be relevant to potential business partners and customers. The traditional industrial companies highlighted the challenges in their daily production activities in their presentations.
Both those who came to the venue and the representatives of the companies connected remotely had the opportunity to present their company’s activities briefly, the products they develop and the services they provide, which could be relevant to potential business partners and customers. The traditional industrial companies highlighted the challenges in their daily production activities in their presentations.
45 people, including representatives from all over Europe, registered to participate in the online activity. Active networking lasted almost 2 hours, and it was finalised with a tour of automation laboratories located at the university.
The second part of the event was: reports by experts on current topics of energy, cyber security and financing
The second part of the event – “TechTalks” was broadcasted on social media channels and attracted significant interest – reaching more than 400 viewers. “TechTalks” covered the most relevant topics for business – energy, cyber security and funding possibilities.
The first speaker – Asta Vaitulevičė, Head of the Energy Efficiency Program of Ignitis Group, focused on efficient energy consumption. During her presentation, A. Vaitulevičė spoke about practical measures that could help successfully implement the company’s energy efficiency strategy, emphasising the economic and social benefits it might bring.
Inga Lukošiūnaitė, the representative of the Innovation Agency and the Head of the Science and Innovation Projects Department, who participated in the event, spoke about funding opportunities for business: already announced open calls and funding tools that are going be announced in the future.
Lukas Apynis, representing “ESET Lietuva”, demonstrated the relevant cyber threats for individuals and business entities. He also clearly identified practical measures to help small and medium-sized companies be prepared for attacks.
After the event ended, participants were allowed to extend business meetings and organise them virtually, looking for potential partners through the B2Match platform.