Kaunas startups attract attention in business accelerators

DELFI.lt news portal in cooperation with Kaunas Science and Technology Park presents the pool of the most innovative products of Kaunas startups. Find out about innovation and vote for the most perspective ones that not only attract attention in business acceleration programs but also take positions in the market.

“Business accelerations programs and other entrepreneurship initiatives can be a great start for your business. It enables startup teams to grow into a successful company with the help of hands-on training, mentoring, and individual innovation expert advice. Thanks to the business professionals, the most promising startups within a few months become fast-growing companies and are ready to attract investments,” states Paulius Nezabitauskas, coordinator of Kaunas STP business acceleration program Evolut 4.0.

Kaunas STP innovation community and KTU Startup Space present 11 innovative products and teams that develop them. Most of the teams are participants of business acceleration program Evolut 4.0 and winners of innovation prizes in foreign contests. This year they have developed several products in areas of medical technology, engineering, lasers, and other.

We invite to read their stories and vote for the most perspective one. The finalists will become nominees to win top positions at the Most Innovative Products of Year Award ceremony on the 5th of December.

 The Nominees:

Sustainable Innovation Enables Vegetables to Grow in the Fog

The plants are grown on a special cloth with their roots hanging in fog. This sustainable solution is gaining attention not only in advanced U.S. innovative farms, but also in Lithuania. Startup “Baltic Freya” has participated in Kaunas Science and Technology Park business acceleration program “Evolut 4.0” Startup team not only makes its first salad, but also has something to offer for the investors.

“Although this type of cultivation in Lithuania still sounds exotic, it is a recognized example of sustainable agriculture that saves the planet. We create innovation that complements it. We are developing a technological solution, a modular system of growing vegetables using fogponics,” says the head of “Baltic Freya”.

In this modular system, fog provides the plants with the exact amount of nutrients needed and enables them to take up the biggest amount of oxygen. The upper part of the plant is illuminated by lamps. The platform uses 95% less water and half the amount of fertilizer that would be needed in traditional agriculture. It ensures a predictable and consistent crop that allows farmers to grow vegetables year-round and prevents the spread of plant root diseases.

After sowing the first lettuce seeds in their prototype system this spring, the team have already harvested several lettuce crops. The team is the winner of the food innovation competition “EIT FOOD Innovation Grants” in Lithuania and has won the Best Business Idea Award from 90 teams across Europe in the “EIT Jumpstarter” competition.

Invisible Speakers for Those Who Appreciate Aesthetics and Quality

From century-old churches to the posh private cinemas, invisible forms of technologies allow melomanes and musicians to enjoy clean, high-quality sound in wherever it is played. Ten years ago, after joining the British audio industry, a Kaunas STP innovation community member has become an engineer of invisible technological innovations.

“Amina technologies” produces speakers that are hidden under the interior floor surfaces of premises, and operate on the principle of a flat, vibrating surface, just like musical instruments such as guitars, violins, or pianos. In these instruments, vibrating strings transfer vibrations to the instrument’s body, through which the vibration moves the surrounding air, creating sound.

‘The idea of vibrating flat surface loudspeakers came from the military industry 30 years ago. Then metal plates were used to obtain the most realistic helicopter’s sound simulation. Later, many manufacturers tried to implement the use of this technology in audio equipment. We are the ones who succeeded. In addition, we have applied engineering improvements to ensure great sound quality and to reduce the size of the speakers themselves. Furthermore, we have been able to increase the performance levels of and maximum power available for audio transmissions,’ says Egidijus Mikalauskas, head of a subsidiary company.

“Amina technologies” currently possesses over ten world patents that serve to protect installed extensions, all of which thrills fans of great sound quality.

Hidden speakers are not a compromise - the ability to maintain the integrity of an interior space is consistent with the quality of the sound. ‘Sound that is produced by using our technology is even better than that from conventional speakers. It is not affected by external noise and therefore provides a better acoustic experience for the listener while not remotely serving to create vibrations that may damage plaster walls or finishings,’ notes Mikalauskas.

The speakers are manufactured using one of the strongest long-term magnets in the world, and a strong but light composite membrane which is used in the aviation industry. Sound systems that have been installed in historic concert halls, churches, private residences, smart houses, and private cinemas can even be installed underwater. For example, speakers that are hidden at the bottom of a pool help to synchronise swimming athletes during a performance.

‘This is the beauty of it: thanks to this form of technology we can adapt audio equipment to suit extremely complex spaces. In this case, dispersion of sound waves is even wider than in conventional columns, which avoids echo interference and distortion,’ Mikalauskas points out.

LED Plasters Solve Skin Problems

Over 125 million people worldwide, including 120,000 in Lithuania, suffer from psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that results in the skin developing red, flaky, crusty patches. Doctors offer dozens of different methods to treat it. Physicists and students in Kaunas have developed an innovative improvement that is based on one of the most effective treatment methods for this skin condition - LED light therapy. The “EmPlastrum” team, which has been participating in the Evolut 4.0 business acceleration programme at the Kaunas Science and Technology Park, has created innovative plasters for the treatment of psoriasis.

‘Although it is popular to treat psoriasis using creams and ointments, it is not the most effective solution. Ultraviolet radiation in medical facilities demonstrates the greatest impact, but with this method of treatment, a person is exposed to a high level of harmful and unnecessary radiation. We have created a form of treatment that uses something that resembles plasters. They contain integrated type-B ultraviolet LED lights that the patient can apply to damaged areas of the skin,’ says Aurimas Mazuras, one of the creators of this innovative new treatment and a member of the “EmPlastrum” team.

Technology developers hope that the patches will be especially beneficial for anyone who has both small and significant areas of damaged skin. The disease usually affects the elbows, knees, scalp, and back, so patches of different sizes can cover several areas of the body at once. Such plasters would allow home treatment at any time without limiting patient mobility, allowing patients to carry out routine activities without interruption. Currently, patch prototypes are being tested in municipal hospitals in Kaunas.

Dermatologists and scientists hope that their innovative product will start appearing on pharmacy shelves in approximately two years. This innovative patch technology, which has roused the interest of the medical community, is currently in the process of obtaining its patent in Lithuania and Europe.

Investors in venture capital funds in the biotechnology sector also see the benefit of this innovation. This summer the “EmPlastrum” team caught the attention of American entrepreneurs. This innovative solution was recognised as one of the best products at the Silicon Valley Innovation Challenge in San Francisco.

A Smart Tool for Wind and Wave Enthusiasts

A developer from Kaunas STP has applied several innovations to his beloved hobby of sail racing, which helps him to forget about long hours spent in front of a computer screen. While car navigation systems can calculate an on-road journey to Vilnius from the most distant streets of the countryside, the “SailRacer” system provides the data about necessary environmental conditions: wind speed, direction and strength; weather conditions; water status; and even short-term weather changes.

‘Real-time data resemble a personal metrological station, but the application’s developer says that it provides much more than metrological data. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi both collect data from sensors that are installed on the yacht. In addition, calculations are displayed at the distance between racing yachts. However, even that would not be enough for a competitor to successfully complete a race championship. The application contributes to sailor's victory by calculating the average of wind direction and indicating the right time to take a manoeuvre,’ explains the creator of the application, Ričardas Novošinskas.

Although the application can work on a smartphone, the “SailRacer InkDisplay” device which this developer recently created consists of two parts: the software and an ink display on which data is displayed. The minimalist design is waterproof and shows the most basic information.

Innovation competes in terms of quality and functionality with the names of the most famous yacht manufacturers, such as “B&G”, and the application has gained international recognition from the sailing community. The application has been nominated for marine innovation “Dame Design” awards.

Smart Clothes May Replace Your Instructor at a Gym

Your clothes will prevent any cheating at a gym. This is what special clothes with added sensors do. The team from Kaunas STP innovation community develops innovation that will determine whether you are doing the exercises correctly and not hurting yourself, and the benefits of the previous exercise towards your long-term goal. This revolutionary fitness technology which has been developed by a startup “Trainer X” which is already testing the product.

‘Using sensors that are integrated into sportswear we can record the biomechanics of movements such as, for example, the body’s physiological response to a load or weight, or the user’s heartbeat or blood pressure. By optimising and personalising exercises, as well as choosing the right training methods, the user will be able to achieve their goals even more effectively, whether this involves losing weight, increasing muscle mass, or strengthening the cardiovascular system,’ says Mindaugas Balčiūnas, head of “Trainer X”.

Sensors may be integrated into all types of sportswear, whether luxury brand items or those found in larger shopping centres, all of which come with a set of smart add-ons which can communicate via WiFi and, in real-time mode, can alert the athlete that they are carrying out an irregular exercise by activating a mechanical vibration. The sensors can be used not only by customers at the local sports club but also by anyone who exercises at home.

‘“Trainer X” is an interactive instructor that makes exercise or more intense physical activities safer, more every day and, most importantly, more effective for the user if they are not supervised by a personal trainer. The sensors will also help real instructors to simultaneously supervise several to several dozen people who are exercising in the gym or remotely,’ says Balčiūnas.

The system has been optimised for people who practise bodybuilding and fitness activities. Currently, the startup is testing the clothes several sports clubs in Kaunas.

Innovative Echocardiography Solution Fascinate Silicon Valley

“Ligence” startup, which has completed Kaunas STP business accelerator programme Evolut 4.0 is developing a software program that optimises the work of cardiologists with the help of Echocardiography AI. Recognised in Silicon Valley (USA) and created by young Lithuanian scientists, the software program evaluates two-dimensional images of cardiac echoscopy and, after processing the data, presents the results to a cardiologist.

Between 50 and 80 percent of the total time spent on ultrasound examination of the heart is a robotic routine like pressing buttons on an ultrasound machine. For this reason, cardiologists have to devote their working hours to mechanical rather than analytical work.

“Physicians' workloads are extremely high. In this case, our solution significantly shortens the time of ultrasound examination of the heart. This tool increases productivity by significantly reducing both research time and accuracy, and reduces the likelihood of errors among professionals with different backgrounds, ”says Laurynas Skrodenis, a member “Ligence” team.

Developed by young scientists the program automates the manual work of a cardiologist using deep training in the neural network. Although the use of artificial intelligence is a growing trend in medicine, complete solutions are not in so common.

‘Our product is authentic and unique in its application especially in routine echocardiography analysis which is one of the most common procedures for the heart examination. We are also unique in being the pioneers in the market automating the entire routine heart ultrasound protocol, rather than its individual components,’ Skrodenis notes.

Over the past six months, the solution has gained recognition from the international medical community. American and European Centers for Health and Medical Innovation have shown the interest. The startup is eager in cooperation with these centers as well as product development and validation in Lithuania and abroad.

The technology has been successfully introduced by young scientists in many projects and competitions in Lithuania and abroad. The team has won the first prize in “Pioneer” competition at Silicon Valley, the team has won a visit and a look at the innovation ecosystem in Silicon Valley.

At the “EIT Health Jumpstarter” finale this fall, “Ligence” has won the second place and took the top three in the health category to participate at the “University Startup World Cup” in Copenhagen. In September, the team won the title of Best Health Project at the “European Youth Awards”.

Innovators Have Turned the Hemp into a Nutritious Snack

“Biomica” startup has developed plant protein extraction technology at Kaunas Science and Technology Park. Together with scientists from the Kaunas University of Technology, they have discovered a way to make technology more efficient and extract high-quality protein from hemp.

After applying new technology, the team creates a powdered drink that has been made from organic cannabis protein and natural fruit. By supplementing hemp protein with freeze-dried wild berries, exotic fruits, and vegetables, the team managed to create a mix of flavours without any allergens, added sugar, or gluten. Enthusiasts of healthy eating can replace a quick snack with this nutritious cocktail which can be prepared by mixing the powder with water or milk, or by adding it to a smoothie.

‘Although healthy snacks are gaining popularity, it is not the first choice when hunger strikes. Healthy snacks are more popular with people who take part in sporting activities or lead active lifestyles. “Biomica” has attracted attention not only in Lithuania, but also in Scandinavia. The team presents this innovative solution at exhibitions and has attracted the attention of creators in the healthy food industry,’ says the head of “Biomica”, Mantas Vilionis.

Last autumn the team introduced an organic cannabis protein powder called Source* to their online store. They create a user-friendly experience that would enable consumers to make healthy choices through their offerings of delicious food and drink options.

Lithuanians Use Innovation to Determine the Future Careers of Horses

According to the experts, the cost of maintaining racing horses ranges from 2,000 to 70 million euros. Those prices drop dramatically when the horse falls ill, and it makes health checks in prestigious studs a very pressing weekly concern for their owners. Startup “Equusight” has participated in business acceleration program Evolut 4.0 develops an innovative solution which will help to reduce losses for horse owners. The team consists of veterinary medical students and researchers and develops a system which will help to assess the orthopaedic status of the horse. The radiologically assessed condition of any horse on the market is used as an indicator of the horse’s future career.

‘The software we are developing has been designed to simplify the process of carrying out a radiological analysis of a horse. Radiological testing may be the most optimal daily way in which information can be gathered about a horse, its health, or its value at the time of sale. Thanks to the use of artificial intelligence we are able to carry out the image analysis process in a more objective, accurate way which will not miss important diseases that could affect the future well-being of the horse,’ says Rugilė Dauliūtė, a representative of “Equusight”.

AI-based digital radiography is better than traditional out-of-time imaging and in-depth data processing. The program combines the radiographic anatomy of the horse and the pathophysiology of the disease, and interprets the radiological features of the disease, combining tests that have already been carried out in the past on the same horse. By providing this information to the veterinarian, the program prevents health problems from occurring which, if not noticed in time, could lead to the end of the horse's professional racing career.

The team hopes that the program will be the first one is the first one of its type in the field of equine veterinary. A programme involving a similar concept is currently being developed by several US companies, but they are focussing on smaller animals or only specifically on hoofs. Image recognition concepts are of great interest in veterinary medicine. ‘More than half of healthcare system leaders agree that artificial intelligence will expand in terms of patient monitoring and diagnosis,’ says Dauliūtė.

Vital Data is Reaching Hospitals Thanks to a Kaunas-based Company

In the age of smart medicine, it is impossible to imagine the daily life of paramedics without an application programme that has been created by Kaunas STP located company “Atvira karta”. The company has developed a mobile tool which makes it possible for an urgent-response medical assistance team to quickly and thoroughly describe a patient’s condition and to be able to help trained medical staff choose the most appropriate further treatment. Currently, six Lithuanian urgent-response medical aid stations are using the application programme, and several additional institutions will join them after the New Year.

‘Having in mind the fact that, not a long time ago, teams on emergency calls had to fill in paper forms, this is an important step forward for the entire paramedic community,’ says Arūnas Franckevičius, head of the company which has been developing the application programme. When emergency medical dispatchers activate an urgent-response medical aid team, information about such a new emergency call is collected from various systems before being processed and instantly transferred to a tablet computer, thanks to which team members can familiarise themselves with initial reports on an incident and ensure a faster response to an emergency call that they have received.

This tool assists doctors in making better decisions in relation to a patient’s treatment by providing medical aid recommendations that allow a patient’s condition to be assessed and which offers the most appropriate further treatment approach based on the information that has been entered.

‘The most crucial function of the application programme is the capability of quickly and qualitatively being able to gather together urgent-response medical aid reports. The tablet computer ensures that effective and effortless data entry can be carried out, which liberates paramedics from paperwork and enables them to pay more attention to a patient’s treatment,’ Arūnas observes.

Good-quality reports which can be collected during incidents and via data analysis that is carried out afterwards allows urgent-response medical aid institutions to promptly reach important decisions that will enable doctors to save lives more quickly and efficiently.

The Team Helps Businesses to Move into Sharing Platforms

Sharing equipment and services is not only sustainable, but it also becomes a trend to adapt businesses to it. As the digitization boom continues, more and more companies want to provide their services in user-friendly ways, such as connecting consumers and supplier on an e-commerce platform. However, when the platform creation process is in still progress, most companies fail to cope with the technological challenges they face and therefore fail to move their business beyond the platform-creation stage. 

For a more user-friendly, easy-to-use, multi-market, responsive and user-driven solution, Kaunas startup “Kirotech” has developed software to help create a platform that is based on the principle of the sharing economy.

“Today most businesses tend to establish themselves only in the online space; for instance, they come straight to your home to walk your pet. Such companies do not establish physical outlets, they do not hire their own staff, but unite service providers into a large database and agree to operate according to sharing platform rules. Therefore, it is important for the business to communicate with service providers and customers who themselves have become mobilised in the digital space,’ says Gintarė Žilaitytė, head of “Kirotech”, which is in KTU Startup Space.

When taking into consideration a business niche and consumer communication needs, “OrderNavi” software which was developed by the start-up team can function either as a mobile application or as an online platform. For example, an online platform is offered for training organisers and creators, and a mobile application is offered for those who supply cleaning, pet walking, or ride-hailing services because the application can indicate the location of system consumers. 

Last year the company was selected from fifty candidates who applied for participation in the Kaunas Start-ups 2018 Programme, a business acceleration programme which was organised by the municipality of the City of Kaunas. The solution that was created by this Lithuanian start-up has aroused interest abroad not only amongst various traditional businesses which are willing to modernise their customer service offerings but also amongst elderly nursing, child-minding, and tutoring communities which are acting based on social business initiatives.

Precise Lasers Stand between Robot and Human

When it comes to metal structures, lasers can form welds that are one-tenth of a millimetre in width. Precisely such a welding technique is offered in a new format by the Kaunas-based start-up, LAR Technologies, which has opened its doors to manufacturers of metal decorations and steel sheet products. The application of this technique provides anyone who is unable to afford expensive and sophisticatedly programmable robots with an opportunity to create high-quality individualised products and to remain competitive in the manufacturing market.

‘Traditional arc welding, which is still used to weld together steel sheet products, has a number of disadvantages when it becomes necessary to weld together thin metals in a precise manner because, following exposure to heat, thin metals tend to deform and any welding process takes a great deal of time and effort. Such problems can be solved through the application of one of the latest techniques which involve the use of laser welding, with this commonly being carried out using programmable robots. The complexity of robot software and the relative ‘sluggishness’ of robotic equipment has prompted a search for a more convenient and adaptable approach,’ says Naglis Ausmanas, head of the company.

Lasers which can weld to a width half that of an arc weld are connected to equipment which mimics human movements. Having purchased such an item of equipment, companies can weld small quantities of steel sheet products or even one-off items, either in a straight line or at any 360-degree angle. Thanks to this process thinner welds are produced, which also means that scouring and chemical bleaching times can be shortened by as much as half of previous times. ‘The main novelty of our solution lies in its being able to adapt. We connect a manual laser welding machine to the equipment that we have designed, which communicates with the laser and functions as a single system that mimics the same movements,’ says Naglis in explanation.

The solution that has been proposed by the Kaunas-based start-up has already been installed by Lithuanian companies which specialise in the manufacture of steel sheet structures, starting with chimneys and ending with kitchen equipment. The start-up’s founders have noticed that companies have been showing a great deal of interest in this solution because, within the engineering industry, Lithuania has several advanced manufacturers which are investing in innovation and are seeking progressive, flexible, and inexpensive technological solutions. The creators of the equipment see a great deal of potential in Scandinavian and Western European countries where manufacturers which are combining aesthetics with functionality tend to choose different materials and associated processing methods that require as little invasion as possible.