EIMIN: Super Garden's success story should inspire all start-ups in Lithuania
Panevėžys-based Super Garden has a lot to be proud of - having expanded its product range over the years, the company now sells its Lithuanian-made products not only in the US and the UAE, but also in space.
"The saying "And the sky is the limit" perfectly describes this company, which is successfully developing marketable products for the rapidly growing space sector. Today, the company is already working with the military industry to provide its products to NATO and UN troops," said Erika Kurochkina, Vice-Minister of the Economy and Innovation in charge of the defence industry, after a meeting with Super Garden's management.
Super Garden produces freeze-dried snacks and aims to become the world's leading freeze-dried brand. The company's team is committed to three core values: quality, variety and innovation.
In addition, this year the company received funding from the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a new recipe for snacks to be sent into space. The requirements for food in space are extremely high: it must be able to withstand high temperatures and pressures, take up very little space, have no contact with the air or environment, stay fresh for a very long time and contain the necessary vitamins and minerals. The company will therefore develop a wide range of nutritious snacks for European astronauts.
"The contract with the European Space Agency is much more than just a commercial order for us. It is a giant step for the company in terms of innovation, strengthening its position in the promising and fast-growing space market and international recognition on a global scale," says Super Garden CEO Laura Kaziukonienė.
According to ESA, only US manufacturers currently supply all the dried food for astronauts on the International Space Station, so it is still a niche market in Europe.
"The contract with the European Space Agency is much more than just a commercial order for us. It is a giant step for the company in terms of innovation, strengthening its position in the promising and fast-growing space market, and international recognition on a global scale," says Super Garden CEO Laura Kaziukonienė.
According to ESA, only US manufacturers currently supply all the dried food for astronauts on the International Space Station, so it is still a niche market in Europe.
This year, 8 projects from Lithuanian companies received funding from the European Space Agency.
Lithuania has become an associate member of ESA in 2021.