“Spiečius” opens in Mažeikiai: a boost to regional business growth
On September 28, the Innovation Agency, in collaboration with the Mažeikiai District Municipality, opened the “Spiečius” business hub in Mažeikiai. This is the 16th such space in the country dedicated to regional businesses: it provides free entrepreneurship support services and brings together the business community. By the end of the year, active business spaces will open in Šakiai, Šalčininkai, Anykščiai, and Lazdijai – bringing the total number of “Spiečius” locations to 20.
According to Edvinas Grikšas, Minister of Economy and Innovation, who attended the event, small businesses in the regions are an important part of the local economy, contributing to job creation, the strengthening of communities, and the growth of regional economic potential: “Starting a business takes courage, and as you grow it, it’s important to have someone to consult with and learn from. We want people starting businesses in the regions to find this support close to home. The new ‘Spiečius’ in Mažeikiai will provide local entrepreneurs with more opportunities to bring their ideas to life, gain practical knowledge, find partners, and tackle everyday business challenges,” says Minister E. Grikšas.
Monika Paulė, director of the Innovation Agency, emphasizes that regional economic growth depends not only on strengthening existing businesses, but also on the diversity of economic activity and the creation of new businesses.
“The strength of regional economies is not determined solely by large companies – it is important that a variety of small and medium-sized businesses are established here and grow rapidly. We aim for these businesses to launch new initiatives, create jobs, increase exports, and implement innovations and digital solutions. However, as businesses grow, they face specific challenges – ranging from finding customers, partners, and markets to a lack of skills and knowledge. That is why entrepreneurs in the regions need access to the necessary advice and contacts. “Spiečius” provides exactly that – the opportunity to strengthen skills, share experiences, and discover new opportunities for business growth and expansion,” says M. Paulė.
During the opening ceremony, Rūta Matulaitienė, mayor of the Mažeikiai District Municipality, also delivered a welcoming speech. She noted that Mažeikiai has no shortage of people with ideas and a desire to create, which is why it is important to provide them with more opportunities to grow here.
“A good idea alone is not enough for business growth – knowledge, expertise, professional advice, and opportunities to forge useful connections are just as important. Such measures strengthen the local business environment, create the conditions for new ventures to emerge, and foster the maturity of businesses and the added value they generate. The launch of ‘Spiečius’ in Mažeikiai enriches the district’s business environment with concrete tools necessary for growth and opens up more opportunities for collaboration – both among local businesses and with other business and innovation stakeholders across the country,” says R. Matulaitienė.
Event participants also had the opportunity to get a closer look at the new space and its possibilities. They heard a business success story, were then invited to informal conversations with the “Spiečius” community, shared experiences, and made new connections. On opening day, the space was open to anyone interested – visitors could tour the facility, chat with the “Spiečius” team, and learn more about the services offered there.
“Spiečius” provides free entrepreneurship support services to business founders: it organizes training sessions and hands-on events, offers individual consultations, provides mentoring, and creates opportunities to establish new business contacts and find partners. “Spiečius” members can also use the workspaces and meeting rooms and participate in community activities. The services are designed for both startups and existing small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to strengthen their capabilities and grow.
You can find the “Spiečius” business hub at Laisvės g. 39-1, Mažeikiai.
Interested in becoming a member of “Spiečius”? We invite you to fill out an application and learn more: https://spiecius.inovacijuagentura.lt/narystes-anketa/