Lithuanian startups can claim up to 3,500 euros of travel costs for foreign events, applications until 11 November 2026

Lithuanian startups can claim up to 3,500 euros of travel costs for foreign events, applications until 11 November 2026

30 September 2026 — Innovation Agency Lithuania, the state agency that runs the country's innovation and business-support funding, has an open call that pays startups' travel to foreign events. It covers events held between 16 July and 31 December 2026, and applications close at 17:00 on 11 November 2026. The call can close earlier: the agency says it may be suspended once requested costs exceed the planned budget of 87,500 euros.

What it pays

• Eligible costs: travel to and from the foreign country where the event takes place.
• Rate and cap: up to 100% of those costs, to a maximum of 3,500 euros per applicant, which the call describes as the maximum for two events.
• Aid type: de minimis aid, so it counts against the company's de minimis ceiling.
• Selection: continuous, first come first served within the budget.

Who can apply

• Status: a startup registered in the Republic of Lithuania and actively trading, which the call defines as sales revenue of at least 2,000 euros in the last financial year.
• Products: the applicant must own the products or services for which it is seeking foreign partners, and must plan to meet potential partners at the event.
• Partners: none are allowed; the startup applies alone.
• Repeat funding: one company can be funded for foreign events no more than three times, and can regain the right up to three more times by showing a partnership formed with foreign partners.

How to apply

Applications go through the agency's KIP system. The call lists what to include:

• proof of travel and participation (a report, photos, tickets) if the event has already happened, or tickets or registration if it has not;
• an SME status declaration;
• a pitch deck and startup-status documents, submitted on the Hopohopo.io platform used by Startup Lithuania.

A second call, for research institutions only

The same agency opened a separate call on 30 September 2026, worth 64,990,095 euros, to set up a Lithuanian AI factory: AI-optimised supercomputing infrastructure, with services, consultations and ecosystem work for users. Applications run to 14 October 2026, but only a science and studies institution that has already won EuroHPC funding for an AI factory can apply. Companies cannot apply. The page does not yet say how businesses will be able to use the factory's services.

What to do

• Lithuanian startups going to trade fairs, pitch events or conferences abroad before the end of 2026 should apply now, since the budget can run out before 11 November.
• Keep tickets and proof of attendance; they are required for events already attended.
• Check how much de minimis aid the company has already received before claiming.

Sources

• Innovation Agency Lithuania: call 05-08-2-T.8.1, promoting Lithuanian startups’ participation in foreign events held 16 July to 31 December 2026 (read 30 September 2026) — 30 September 2026
• Innovation Agency Lithuania: call 05-05-27-V.1.1, establishing an AI factory (valid from 30 September 2026) — 30 September 2026