About the NALB forum

The North American Lithuanian Business Forum is an annual event fostering robust business connections between Lithuania and North America.

It convenes policymakers (ministers, ambassadors), potential investors, business executives, and innovators to explore critical topics at the intersection of technology, innovation, and transatlantic commerce. The forum provides a dynamic platform for networking opportunities, engagement through interactive workshops, and insightful keynote addresses and panel discussions. Connecting leaders across diverse sectors, the forum has a strong track record, with previous events held in Philadelphia (2022), Chicago (2023), and New York (2024).

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Agenda

Hosted by Goodwin, 100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA

1pm – 5pm

Welcoming remarks

Dovydas Špokauskas, Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York


Business opportunities in Massachusetts

Jeevan Ramapriya, Executive Director Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI)


Legal Basics for Tech and Life 
Sciences Companies to Consider in 
Order to Attract U.S. Investors

Kristopher Brown, Corporate Partner in the Technology & Life Sciences Group at Goodwin


How to work with the US governmental institutions

Dhimiter Cobani, Venture Consultant, FedTech


Lithuanian Professional Diaspora: Talent Intelligence for the Modern Workforce

Michael Beygelman, Executive VP, Product, Claro Analytics


Cocktail reception (Sponsored by Goodwin)

Offices of Goodwin, 100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA

Hosted by Goodwin, 100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA

9am – 1pm

Welcoming remarks

Egidijus Meilūnas, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in Canada


Unlocking Opportunities for Lithuanian Businesses in the Canadian Market

Al Pace, Founder and Chair, Pace Law
Nick Simone, President and CEO, Pace Law & Pace Global Advantage


From Lithuania to the US: The 100-Day Playbook for Winning the Market

Gerald Kasulis, Director at Nord Security


Lessons Learned: Navigating the North American Market – Successes, Stumbles, and Lifeboats

Vilius Smalinskas (Telesoftas)
Agnius Savičiūnas (Teltonika)
Skaidra Puodžiūnas, Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)
Moderated by Karolis Karalevičius


Coming to America: What to Keep in Mind When Setting Up U.S. Operations

Mayan Katz, Corporate Partner, Technology & Life Sciences Group at Goodwin

6:00pm - 8:00pm Networking event at Lithuanian Club, 368 W Broadway, South Boston, MA

Venue: 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, MA 02139

8:30am - 9:30am Registration, Welcome Coffee

9:30am - 12:00pm Main Stage

8:30am – 1:30pm

Welcoming remarks, video message

H.E. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda


Welcoming remarks

On behalf of the Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey, Jeevan Ramapriya, Executive Director Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI)


Introduction of Minister Savickas

Lithuanian Ambassador to the US Audra Plepytė


Presentation “Strategic Economic Partnership: The U.S. and Lithuania in a Changing Global Landscape”

Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation Lukas Savickas


Keynote speech “From Breakthrough Science to Scalable Business”

Vladimir Bulovic, MIT professor, Founding Director of MIT.nano


“Lessons in Leadership: A Fireside Chat with prof. Vladas Bumelis”

Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, Founder and CEO of Northway Biotech
Interviewed by Monika Paulė, CEO of Caszyme


“Voices from Canada: Innovation, Impact, and Insight”

Al Pace, Founder and Chair, Pace Law
Nick Simone, President and CEO, Pace Law & Pace Global Advantage


Discussion panel “The Race to Lead: Shaping Tomorrow's Technology Landscape”

Dr. Greg Autry, Associate Provost for Space Commercialization and Strategy, at the University of Central Florida
Oleksandra Afanasieva, Futorology
Tadas Vizgirda, Shift4 Lithuania, Chairman of the Board at the American Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania
Simonas Černiauskas, CEO at INFOBALT, Secretary of the Board of Directors at American Chamber of Commerce

Moderated by Tony Maciulis, GZERO Media


12:00pm - 1:30pm Lunch


1:30pm - 5:00pm Breakout sessions

Room I

Cooperation in Energy innovation. Powered by MIT MISTI Lithuania

In response to increasing global electricity consumption, this panel explores the key strategies and insights for significant progress in renewable energy, advanced storage, and grid modernization – advancements critical for both economic prosperity and energy security. To illustrate the power of international collaboration in achieving these goals, we will highlight partnerships such as the one between Lithuania and MIT, which fosters innovation and cultivates future energy leaders.

Panelists:
• Vladimir Bulović, Professor at MIT, Founding Director of MIT.nano
• Rana K. Gupta, Executive Director of MIT Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation
• Darius Milčius, Professor and Director of Research and Innovation at Vytautas Magnus University,
• Violeta Motuzienė, Professor at the Department of Building Energy Systems, VILNIUS TECH
• Vytautas Bitinas, CTO of Lithuanian Railways

Moderator: Gediminas Urbonas, Professor of Program in Art, Culture, and Technology at MIT


Navigating the AI Shift: Technology, Innovation & Transatlantic Collaboration

This panel will explore strengthening US-Lithuania IT ties in cybersecurity and AI. Experts will examine transatlantic collaboration through case studies, discussing technical, regulatory, and cultural barriers and strategies to overcome them, such as joint research, talent exchanges, and public-private alliances. The discussion will identify critical factors for effective cooperation, including harmonized standards and shared threat intelligence, aiming to provide attendees with a roadmap for resilient, AI-enhanced cybersecurity and a vibrant US-Lithuania IT ecosystem.

Panelists:
• Geoffrey M. Odlum, Advisor for International Programs at FedTech
• Vaida Greičiūtė, Co-Founder at Corner Case Technologies
• Gerald Kasulis, Director at Nord Security

Moderator: Kęstas Barzdaitis, CTO at Signal Technologies


Defense Innovation for the Future of Security

In today’s rapidly evolving security environment, strengthening defense innovation and dual-use collaboration between allies is not just an advantage — it’s a necessity. This panel brings together military, government, and industry leaders from the United States and Lithuania to explore how operational needs, technological innovation, and international partnerships can be aligned for greater resilience and deterrence.

Panelists:
• Agila Barzdienė, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Economy and Innovation
• Col Kevin Dellicker, Pennsylvania National Guard (PANG)
• John Griffin, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
• Paulius Vaitkevicius, Head of Innovations at Novian Pro

Moderator: Kelly Becker, Director of NATO DIANA Program at MassChallenge.

Room II

Startup Mentors Lab

This session will offer a dynamic mentoring session where startups rotate between tables hosted by investors and mentors every 10 minutes. Startups will pitch, ask questions, and receive feedback, while investors and mentors provide targeted advice and contacts to each startup. The session aims to offer startups actionable insights and introductions, and help investors identify promising opportunities, fostering enhanced networking and relationship-building.

Mentors:
• Ira M. Lubert, CEO at Belgravia Management LP Family Office
• Tuan Ho, Venture Partner at Xfund
• Philip H. Beauregard, Managing General Partner at Impellent Ventures
• Apolinaras Sinkevicius, Principle at Scalability Ventures
• Ruta Laukien, Vice President at US Capital Global,
• Kęstas Barzdaitis, CTO at Signal Technologies


Cutting Through the Longevity Noise: Science, Investment, and Global Collaboration

Longevity and biotech are one of today’s most ambitious scientific frontiers, but cutting through the hype to spotlight real progress is essential. This panel brings together leading voices in gene therapy, investments and AI-powered healthcare to explore the breakthroughs to redefine aging.
Panel will also focus on U.S.-Lithuania collaboration in biotech areas, with an open invitation to continue the dialogue at BIO Convention the following week and at Life Sciences Baltics in Lithuania this September.

Panelists:
• Jose Navarro – Betancourt, Scientific Director of QuadraScope
• Jamie Heywood, CEO and Founder of Alden Scientific
• Monika Paulė – CEO of Caszyme
• Eligijus Čivilis – General Manager of Invest Lithuania

Moderator: Goda Sadževičiūtė – Certified Practitioner & Health Innovation Speaker


Arts on Prescription: An Innovative Approach to Well-being and Social Change

Explore how creativity is reshaping healthcare and community wellbeing. Massachusetts is leading the way as the first U.S. state to launch a statewide art prescription program. Join leaders from the creative industries, healthcare, business, and government as they dive into cross-sector collaboration and real-world solutions to major health challenges like social isolation, anxiety, and depression.

Panelists:
• Chris Appleton, Arts Pharmacy CEO
• Laurynas Žakevičius, Chairperson of Board of Directors of Creative Industries Lithuania
• Jonas Liugaila, Secretary General @ International Council of Design
• Eleonora J. Romuva, Strategic Producer, Global Partnerships
• Meg McGrath, Executive Director at Jean Appolon Expressions

Moderator: Erik Holmgren, Mass Cultural Council

5:00pm - 6:30pm Farewell Toast at MIT Media Lab. End of NALBF

Download Agenda

Lukas Savickas

Minister of Economy and Innovation
in

Audra Plepytė

Lithuanian Ambassador to the US
in

Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis

Founder and CEO of Northway Biotech
in

Ira Lubert

CEO at Belgravia Management LP Family Office
in

Tadas Vizgirda

SVP / Managing Director at Shift4 Payments Lithuania
in

Gediminas Urbonas

Director at MIT Program in Art, Culture and Technology
in

Oleksandra Afanasieva

Head of Strategic Communications at DroneUA/Futorology
in

Chris Appleton

Arts Pharmacy CEO
in

Greg Autry

Associate Provost for Space, University of Central Florida
in

Kęstas Barzdaitis

Co-founder & CTO at Signal Technologies
in

Agila Barzdienė

Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Economy and Innovation
in

Philip H. Beauregard

Managing General Partner at Impellent Ventures
in

Kelly Becker

Director of NATO DIANA Program at MassChallenge
in

Jose Navarro – Betancourt

Scientific Director of QuadraScope
in

Michael Beygelman

EVP, Product, Claro Analytics
in

Vytautas Bitinas

Chief Technology Officer, Lithuanian Railways
in

Kristopher Brown

Partner, Tech-Life Sciences at Goodwin
in

Vladimir Bulovic

MIT professor and Founding Director of MIT.nano
in

Dhimiter Cobani

Venture Consultant, FedTech
in

Simonas Černiauskas

CEO at InfoBalt, Secretary of the Board at AmCham
in

Eligijus Čivilis

General Manager of Invest Lithuania
in

Kevin Dellicker

Col., Director of Intelligence and Cyber Operations, Pennsylvania National Guard
in

Vaida Greičiūtė

Co-Founder at Corner Case Technologies
in

John Griffin

Boston Office Lead at Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
in

Rana K. Gupta

Executive Director of MIT Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation
in

Jamie Heywood

CEO and Founder of Alden Scientific
in

Tuan Ho

Venture Partner at Xfund
in

Erik Holmgren

Mass Cultural Council
in

Karolis Karalevičius

Managing Partner at InnoHub Lithuania
in

Gerald Kasulis

Director at Nord Security
in

Mayan Katz

Corporate Partner, Technology & Life Sciences Group at Goodwin
in

Jonas Liugaila

Board Member of the International Council of Design
in

Tony Maciulis

Chief Content Officer and Executive Producer at GZERO Media
in

Egidijus Meilūnas

Lithuanian Ambassador in Canada
in

Darius Milčius

 Professor at Vytautas Magnus University, Director of Research and Innovation at VMU; Chief Researcher at the Lithuanian Energy Institute
in

Violeta Motuzienė

Professor at the Department of Building Energy Systems, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University; Ph.D. supervisor at the Lithuanian Energy Institute, Expert at the Innovation Agency of Lithuania
in

Geoffrey M. Odlum

Advisor for International Programs at FedTech
in

Al Pace

Founder and Chairman at Pace Law
in

Monika Paule

CEO at Caszyme
in

Skaidra Puodžiūnas

Director of Ontario Affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)
in

Jeevan Ramapriya

Executive Director at Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment
in

Eleonora J. Romuva

Strategic Producer, Global Partnerships
in

Agnius Savičiūnas

CEO at Teltonika in Canada
in

Vilius Smalinskas

Senior Partner at Telesoftas (Helmes Group)
in

Nick Simone

President and CEO at Pace Law & Pace Global Advantage
in

Apolinaras Sinkevicius

Principle at Scalability Ventures
in

Dovydas Špokauskas

Lithuanian Consul General in New York
in

Paulius Vaitkevicius

Head of Innovations at Novian Pro
in

Laurynas Žakevičius

Member of Board of Creative Industries KIK Lithuania
in

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Organizers

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