The Port of Klaipėda opens the cruise season: over 60 ships expected and a passenger record in sight

The first cruise ship of the season has already arrived the Port of Klaipėda. This year, more than 60 impressive ships will arrive at the port, bringing a record number of tourists to the region.
“On Saturday, we welcomed the first cruise ship of the season – the Bahamas-flagged MS Hamburg. The first ship arrived nearly full, bringing not only several hundred tourists but also a promise of an active and record-breaking season. We expect around 90,000 tourists to reach Lithuania through the Port of Klaipėda this year – a record in the port’s history. And when we look ahead to 2027, we already see over 100 ships and even more travelers. This confirms that our decision to develop a new cruise terminal was timely – it will significantly improve the quality of passenger experience and strengthen Lithuania’s image as an attractive cruise destination,” says Algis Latakas, CEO of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.
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Originally published on 4 May
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The Hola 5G Oulu project has announced the successful launch of its private 5G standalone (SA) network at Oulu University Hospital, marking Europe’s first private 5G network in a functioning hospital. This achievement has the potential to revolutionise healthcare with advanced technology. The project, a collaboration between Pohjois-Pohjanmaan hyvinvointialue Pohde, Boldyn Networks, WICOAR Technologies, Oulu University Hospital, and the University of Oulu, aims to enhance patient care and operational efficiency through secure, high-capacity connectivity.
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Originally published on 19 Feb

Pactum AI, an Estonian startup focusing on autonomous negotiation technology, has been named the winner of DIGITALEUROPE’s prestigious Future Unicorn Award for 2025. The company was recognised at DIGITALEUROPE’s Masters of Digital conference in Brussels for its innovative AI platform that automates complex business negotiations.
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Originally published on 20 Feb

Estonia’s Milrem Robotics, world-leading robotics and autonomous systems developer, which previously made history by raising the largest foreign investment round in Estonia’s defence sector, is not slowing down. At IDEX 2025, the company launched its highly anticipated 8×8 Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) and signed an agreement with Pearson Engineering to develop mission-specific uncrewed ground vehicles for the MENA region.
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Originally published on 17 Feb

The Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) is inviting proposals for projects that will enhance societal resilience, safety, collaboration and trust within the Baltic Sea Region under its Project Support Facility (PSF) 2025 call. Applications will be accepted until 31 March 2025.
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Originally published on 17 Feb

Invalda INVL Group today announces that it has successfully completed a first closing of its second-generation private equity fund (“INVL Private Equity Fund II”), reaching EUR 305 million and exceeding its target of EUR 250 million. The INVL Private Equity Fund II has received strong backing from both existing and new investors, forming an exceptional investor base. This includes some of the most successful entrepreneurs from across the Baltics, family offices and institutional investors such as the European Investment Fund, pensions funds managed by Luminor asset management companies, SB Asset Management and IPAS INVL Asset Management in Latvia, as well as life insurance company UAB SB Draudimas. Fundraising will continue to reach a hard cap of EUR 400 million.
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Originally published on 17 Feb

Estonian entrepreneurs can now apply for support to cover the labour costs of research and development employees. The amount of support is 50 per cent of the income tax calculated on the employee’s research and development-related salary in the second half of 2024 (up from 25% in the previous period).
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Originally published on 18 Feb

The funding call from Innovation Agency Lithuania, aimed at supporting the development of innovative products and prototypes in the EdTech and GameTech sectors, closed on February 6 with an overwhelming response. A total of 184 applications were submitted—125 from EdTech startups and 59 from GameTech. However, only the top 8 projects in each category will receive funding.
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Originally published on 18 Feb

Lithuania has emerged as one of the top countries for business, securing an impressive 2nd place in the Global Entrepreneurship Index, according to the latest Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024/2025 data. This achievement positions Lithuania as a global leader in entrepreneurship, highlighting its dynamic and innovative business environment.
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Originally published on 18 Feb

Finland, Sweden, and Norway face similar challenges regarding land use conflicts and the social acceptability of large-scale hydrogen projects, as well as the new energy production and electricity distribution needs associated with them. These shared challenges are valuable to address and discuss collectively.
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Originally published on 16 Feb

Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association (EKTL) in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, is organizing the first-ever Estonian Defence Week in September, bringing together domestic and international defence industry companies, investors, specialists, and policymakers. The week begins with an event organized by the NATO DIANA Estonian accelerator.
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Originally published on 17 Feb