Are you ready to dive into the heart of Europe’s innovation engine? Do you have an idea that could shape the future — or are you simply curious about what it takes to build a company from the ground up?

The MRU Start-Up Hub is excited to invite you to a dynamic panel discussion that brings together three distinguished guests, each offering unique perspectives from across the startup, investment, research, and policy landscapes. Together, they will explore key questions such as:

• The European Dream:What is the current state of the European startup ecosystem?
• Building the Future, Together:How can universities, investors, corporations, and governments collaborate more effectively to support founders?
• Your Roadmap: What practical advice do seasoned experts have for students and young entrepreneurs aiming to build scalable, international startups from Europe?

Event Details

📍 MRU Conference Hall – Room 414
🕒 2nd December at 3 PM (approx. 75 min)

This event is more than just a discussion — it’s a networking opportunity, an inspiration hub, and a spark for your own entrepreneurial journey. Whether you're exploring your first ideas or preparing to build your startup, the insights shared here may become the catalyst that moves you forward.

Meet the Speakers

Aušrinė Armonaitė

Aušrinė Armonaitė served as Lithuania’s Minister of Economy and Innovation from 2020 to 2024, during which she helped attract record levels of foreign direct investment and strengthened national innovation capacity. After her term, she joined the EU-wide investment and real-estate fintech platform InRento, supporting investor relations and international expansion.
Her experience in shaping economic policy — combined with her move into the private investment and fintech sector — gives her a unique dual perspective on how public policy and real-world market dynamics influence the startup environment.

Ilan Goldberg

Ilan Goldberg is an entrepreneur, fundraiser, and angel investor with more than 15 years of experience across Latin America, Asia, and Europe. He brings an international understanding of markets, investment landscapes, and the challenges founders face when scaling across borders.
His global insights help highlight Europe’s strengths and weaknesses from a comparative viewpoint, providing valuable guidance for young founders looking to build internationally competitive ventures.

Jolita Česiulytė

Jolita Česiulytė is a Programme Coordinator in the International Collaboration Unit of the Research Council of Lithuania (RCL). She works with science policy, international cooperation, and research-and-innovation funding, including major EU frameworks such as Horizon Europe.
Her expertise bridges academic research, innovation funding, and cross-border collaboration — showing students and young founders how research ecosystems, EU opportunities and startup development can reinforce one another. Her international experience also allows her to identify where European innovation thrives and where further growth is needed.

Why You Should Join

With their diverse backgrounds, our speakers bring multidisciplinary, practical, and globally informed perspectives to the table. The discussion will highlight the real opportunities, challenges, and pathways available for the next generation of entrepreneurs — including you.

We warmly invite all MRU students and beyond to join us for this inspiring event.

Be part of the conversation. Be part of the future.