The “DigiPro 3.0” project, which started last summer, was launched by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s Health (EIT Health). It is already seeing positive results: by focusing on Lithuania’s regions, the program has enabled collaboration between local healthcare institutions and creators of innovative products. The seven-week health innovation incubator successfully wrapped up, providing expert support to early-stage startup teams. The upcoming “Train the Trainer” initiative on October 12-13 will continue to support the project’s main goals.
Boosting Health Tech Startups in Regions Across Lithuania
This project, coordinated by the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), is called “DigiPro 3.0” because it follows similar projects from the past two years. This year’s project is different because it focuses more on developing health tech startups in Klaipėda, Šiauliai, and Alytus.
“Last summer, we visited these cities and organized events for healthcare workers. We met with local ecosystem representatives and saw potential for cooperation between the healthcare institutions there and startups. We aim to spread innovation, ensuring regional growth,” said the project organizers.
Health Tech Incubator – Helping Ideas Grow into Products
The project also introduced the “HealthTech Catalyst Incubator,” which aims to help startups move from idea to working product by providing expert support. The mentoring program covered essential topics for startup development, like team building, product development, intellectual property, and market analysis.
Indrė Paplauskaitė, a representative from “Gooliver,” a team developing an AI solution to reduce doctors’ administrative workload, shared her experience:
“Our team was interested in joining the health tech ecosystem and expanding our contacts. Participating seemed like a great way to prepare for product testing,” I. Paplauskaitė explained.
She mentioned gaining valuable experience from the incubation program:
“The well-structured program helped us clearly move through stages—from identifying the problem to creating the product. The professional mentors gave us practical advice.”
When asked what advice she would give to other early-stage startups, she said:
“Look for mentors who ask the right questions to refine your product idea and vision, and help avoid common mistakes. It’s also important to understand your product’s value and competitive advantage.”
The organizers noted that the program achieved its aims—three health-focused startups was created during the incubation program with opportunities to continue in other EIT Health programs.
Continuing Success with the Mentorship Program in “DigiPro 3.0”
One important part of the project, carried over from previous versions, is the “Train the Trainer” (TTT) mentorship initiative. Its main goal remains to train professionals to share their knowledge effectively and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
“Participants will gain valuable mentoring skills, which they can apply in their careers and help develop startups. This will improve the whole health innovation ecosystem,” said the “DigiPro 3.0” coordinators.
This year’s training is on October 12-13 in Byliškės (Prienai District). Participants—doctors, nurses, healthcare specialists, academics, business people, startups, and others—will learn methods for mentoring. The event will help understand team dynamics, improve communication, develop team-building skills, and explore creativity tools. Trainers include entrepreneurship instructors and educational experts, Ákos R. Wetters and Balazs Horvath from “Kimitisik,” and Saulius Alksnis, an expert in career development and mentorship, and founder of the platform “idialogue.”
