Monika Paulė, the new head of the Innovation Agency, has started work
Starting today, May 18, Monika Paulė, a professional in innovation, life sciences, and international business development, is taking over as head of the Innovation Agency. Edvinas Grikšas, Minister of Economy and Innovation, has set ambitious goals for the agency that will accelerate the transformation of the Lithuanian economy, boost innovation, and strengthen the country’s competitiveness.
“Monika Paulė, the head of the Innovation Agency, has many years of experience in international business, organizational development, and management; she has a deep understanding of the needs of both the business sector and the government, and is capable of forging the partnerships necessary for Lithuania’s economic breakthrough,” says Edvinas Grikšas, Minister of Economy and Innovation.
Monika Paulė has been working in the fields of innovation, biotechnology, and high-tech business development for twenty years. To this day, she has served as a member of the Board of the Lithuanian Science Council, Vice President of the Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists, and Chair of the Innovation and Education Committees, as well as Vice President of the association “LithuaniaBIO.” She has also served as a member of the Board of the Center for Life Sciences at Vilnius University, as well as a freelance speaker and lecturer. M. Paulė has implemented international life sciences projects, led the biotechnology company Caszyme, and participated in the strategic management of various organizations.
“Innovation must become one of the key drivers of Lithuania’s competitiveness and productivity growth. In pursuing this goal, the Innovation Agency will strive to be the primary catalyst for change, enabling Lithuania’s innovation ecosystem to become a leader not only in Europe but also on a global scale. Lithuania has all the necessary conditions for this: highly skilled specialists, active businesses with great potential, and a clear national vision and strategic support. The combination of these strengths provides a solid foundation for faster innovation development, increased international competitiveness, and the creation of a higher-value-added economy,” says Monika Paulė, newly elected head of the Innovation Agency.
According to Minister E. Grikšas, the Innovation Agency’s strategy has also been approved; it will become one of the most important tools for achieving the state’s goals and is expected to generate approximately €5.5 billion for the Lithuanian economy.
“The ‘3i’ plan is being implemented and is already yielding results. Over the next few years, we will take the Lithuanian economy to the next level of maturity, and to achieve this, we must increase Lithuania’s export volume to 50 billion euros. This means higher wages, more high-value-added jobs, stronger regions, a more modern industry, and greater resilience for Lithuania against geopolitical and energy shocks. We will also strive to ensure that investments in research, experimental development, and innovation account for 2.2% of GDP. The new strategy of the Innovation Agency will contribute to the achievement of these goals,” says Minister of Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas.
The Innovation Agency’s 2026–2030 strategy identifies four key strategic objectives: an innovation breakthrough, export transformation, a leap in productivity, and a value-creating organization. By 2030, the goal is for business investment in R&D to reach 1.3% of GDP, for high-value-added products to account for 50% of exports of Lithuanian origin, and for the productivity of Lithuanian companies to approach 90% of the EU average.
It is projected that the successful implementation of the strategy by 2030 would enable exports in the advanced technology sector to exceed €18.7 billion, while high-value-added exports by the Innovation Agency’s clients would grow by 21% annually.
You can view the Innovation Agency’s 2026–2030 strategy here: ia-strategija-2026-2030.pdf
Last updated: 18-05-2026
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