Inside Tech Zity: The Largest Tech Campus in Lithuania & Europe

Vilnius with its friendly regulatory and tax environment, the capital city of Lithuania is a magnet for startups, business hubs and accelerators. 

The city is home to some of Europe’s best-known tech firms - and we’re growing at a pace that requires significant investment in real estate infrastructure. Tech Zity is a first-of-its-kind project - in both ambition, being 30% larger than any tech campus developed previously in Europe, and in infrastructure terms - being the first to bring in every aspect of real estate that any technology business, from a pre-seed start-up, through to the likes of Google, can call their home in Vilnius, said Darius Žakaitis, founder of Tech Zity.

Several tech hubs are located here, for example, Vilnius Tech Park, Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park, and one of the biggest IT parks - Tech Zity.

In this article, we will explore the opportunities and developments within Tech Zity that capture the attention of both the local and international tech scene.

The Infrastructure of Tech Zity 

It’s worth noting that the “Tech Zity” brand has already been established since 2020. It is the name of the real estate company that is responsible for these projects. The company has already launched 4 smaller hubs in and around the Lithuanian capital.

These include Tech Park, which was transformed from an old hospital in 2016. It now houses numerous businesses, including Google's main regional hub. Tech Loft is primarily focused on seed-stage startups, Tech Arts is a hybrid co-working and events space, and Tech Spa is a work-resort hybrid located about an hour away from Vilnius.

Collectively, Tech Zity's four existing projects already cover a total area of 20,000 square meters. With the opening of their flagship campus next year, their footprint will expand even further to 75,000 square meters across the region.

Tech Zity, Lithuania's co-working and tech space company, is undergoing a major upgrade with a €100 million infrastructure project in Vilnius. The new campus - Tech Zity Vilnius, which is set to open in 2024, will cover 55,000 sq. metres and will be one of the largest tech campuses in Europe. The campus will be located in the legendary Lithuanian clothing factory in Lelija, which will be restructured for this purpose.

To ensure the vitality of the leisure area, Tech Zity Vilnius will house eight different restaurants, cafés, and bars. Along with these, the campus will also have designated spaces for collaboration, education, and sports.

At Tech Zity Vilnius, the infrastructure will provide you with opportunities to optimize your dedicated workspaces. As a community member, you'll have access to our conference center, which features an inner courtyard - perfect for organizing events. Additionally, they offer spaces for living, sports, and co-working, as well as a children's day center and more.

Tech Zity Project Funding

The Tech Zity project is being funded by several sources. The project requires a fund of €100 million and so far, €30 million has been committed. Vinted co-founder and chief operating officer, Mantas Mikuckas, has contributed around 80% of the initial amount, with Tech Zity founder, Darius Žakaitis, providing the remaining funds.

During the first phase, Tech Zity acquired the land and buildings required for the reconstruction of the site. The groundwork has been laid, and now the company is moving forward to the next phase. To complete the next phase, Tech Zity needs to secure an additional €70 million from various sources, including banks and private investors.

Community and Events of Tech Zity Vilnius

A special ecosystem will be established at this location, where businesses involved in technology, culture, and creativity will function together harmoniously. The project's most significant advantage is the formation of a community of people who share similar interests. The project goal is to attract 100 companies, regardless of their size, that are engaged in related industries. This close-knit community of 5,000 talented people will inspire the development of innovative ideas.

Many of the biggest ICT companies in Lithuania trust and love Tech Zity's spaces. Whether you're a freelancer, innovator, or running a growing start-up, Tech Zity believes that diverse working professionals can connect, work, co-create, support, and empower each other. To foster this sense of community, they organize events and gatherings.

Technology companies that have already decided to move their activities to Tech Zity Vilnius from the beginning of the first phase:

• Omnisend
• HeavyFinance
• Turing College 
• Pepi Play
• Firstpick

Historical Place 

“Lelija”, meaning Lily flower, was the largest sewing workers union in its time, and the “Lelija” sewing factory in Vilnius was established in 1947 in an industrial area after World War II. 

However, after over 70 years, the factory has ceased production. To preserve the legacy of the “Lelija” Factory, it will be transformed into the “Tech Zity Lilium”, a mixed-use complex that will consist of residential, office, and shopping spaces.

The project has selected three architectural offices - DO ARCHITECTS, A2SM, and Audrius Ambrasas Architecture, to develop the design of the buildings and the territory, with a focus on key core values. The project places a significant accent on the historic site context and public spaces. Currently, the land site is neglected, fenced, and inaccessible to visitors. The project aims to restore the territory as an integral and well-functioning area of the city fabric, making it accessible and useful to the people.

Green and Sustainable Tech Solutions

Tech Zity's strong focus on sustainable building practices will help it capture and save over 500 million tonnes of carbon during the development process. The company prioritizes renovating existing industrial buildings, rather than demolishing and building new commercial spaces, to reduce environmental impact. Moreover, Tech Zity builds its real estate with longevity in mind, which will serve future generations for decades. 

The ex-industrial structures undergoing renovation by Tech Zity would emit 55,000 tonnes of carbon through concrete removal alone if they were to be demolished. So, approximately 70% of the development involves renovation work, while only 30% involves constructing new buildings from scratch. Factory parts and structural elements will be extensively used across the land site to maintain and protect the building's identity and history.

Tech Zity's development is part of several major real estate projects in Vilnius, including the redevelopment of Taxi Park into commercial real estate for airlines and automobile manufacturers, and Cyber Park, Nord's campus.

People Oriented Project

Tech Zity Vilnius will develop a wider network of connections and new businesses. The project will continually plan events on the premises to meet the diverse requirements of the community and gather a variety of educational initiatives to encourage future talent.

As for living spaces, Tech Zity Vilnius is currently planning to build 70 to 80 co-living lofts above the offices. They promise to provide all the latest technological facilities that companies need to expand, including: 

• Co-working spaces;
• Private offices;
• Event spaces.

Moreover, the building will be accessible 24 hours, so you won't have to go home. It seems like you can stay within the co-living space as it has a community outside of work for its inhabitants, offering access to bars, sports facilities, and more, all on-site.

Healthy Nutrition. Every aspect of the project has been meticulously planned, including the selection of healthy food, which is one of its critical components of productivity and health. Tech Zity Vilnius are putting a great deal of effort into bringing together a diverse range of reliable and healthy food providers. 

Movement. The design of buildings in New Town focuses on encouraging employees to move around, with plans to organize meetings outdoors, use light and cozy staircases, and have bike storage. The development of green areas will also be prioritized, adding more nature to the industrial district. The goal is to encourage outdoor activities, promote sports facilities, and create spaces for concentration and meditation.

Wrapping Things Up

Opening a new IT campus like Tech Zity Vilnius encourages IT specialists, entrepreneurs, investors, talents to progress and discover their potential, thus improving work quality and boosting the city's economy and efficiency.

“Vilnius is maintaining a firm position within the European tech scene thanks to rapid innovations and visionary businesses such as Tech Zity. Bursting with innovative entrepreneurs, multinational talents, and ambitious investors, the capital has grown to a modern tech hub that evokes bold ideas, successful collaborations, and people-focused solutions. Tech Zity’s newest tech campus is a testament to the capital’s forward-thinking values”, says Valdas Benkunskas, Mayor of Vilnius.