The business association Investors’ Forum, which brings together business leaders in Lithuania, has announced who contributed the most last year to making Lithuania a safe and prosperous country. At the awards ceremony held for the fifteenth time, the title of Investor of the Year 2025 was awarded to Hollister Lietuva, while the Best Decision for the Investment Environment was recognized as increasing the defense budget to 5.38% of GDP.
Awards were also presented as follows: “Socially Responsible Company of the Year” – Klaipėda State Seaport Authority; “Public Servant of the Year” – Kęstutis Kudzmanas; “Business Journalist of the Year” – Roma Pakėnienė; “Investment in the Future Business of the Year” – Brolis Defence Group; “Technological Breakthrough of the Year” – Tesonet Global; “Entrepreneurship and Economics Teacher of the Year” – Daiva Palukaitienė; “Transparency Ambassador of the Year” – the Special Investigation Service; and the “Economic Diplomacy” title was awarded to Kęstutis Budrys.
Investor of the Year – Hollister Lietuva
The Investor of the Year title was awarded to Hollister Lietuva for its consistent investments in modern manufacturing in Lithuania and for creating long-term value for employees, communities, and the state. In 2025, the international medical products manufacturing company created 72 new jobs, its investments exceeded EUR 26.5 million, and it contributed EUR 13.4 million in taxes to the state budget.
“The significance of such companies to the country’s economy and society goes far beyond the taxes they pay and the jobs they create. Hollister Lietuva stands out for its transparent and responsible operations, high business ethics standards, and its contribution to fostering management and business culture in Lithuania. While we are proud that Hollister has chosen Lithuania for its operations, we emphasize that the state must make every effort to attract and retain such companies. Their investments increase not only people’s incomes but also the overall welfare and security of the country, said Rolandas Valiūnas, Chairman of the Board of Investors’ Forum.
The top three also included the Lithuanian branch of OP Corporate Bank plc and the startup investment fund Jaunaragiai.
Responsibility, Security, and Long-Term Service
Klaipėda State Seaport Authority was recognized as the Most Socially Responsible Company of 2025. The title was awarded for its consistent implementation of a green transition strategy, leadership in hydrogen technologies, voluntary sustainability reporting, and exceptional care for employees, whose satisfaction level reaches as high as 92%.
Investors named the decision to increase the defense budget to 5.38% of GDP as the best recent decision for improving the business environment. According to association members, this is a strategically important step that strengthens national security and the stability of the business environment.
“Security today is a fundamental condition for economic growth and investment attractiveness. The business community clearly understands this, which is why we support decisions to increase defense investment. We are ready to continue constructive cooperation with institutions to strengthen Lithuania’s resilience and build a safe, growing state,” said Vytautas Šilinskas, Executive Director of Investors’ Forum.
The title of Public Servant of the Year 2025 was awarded to Kęstutis Kudzmanas – a diplomat, ambassador, and advisor to the Prime Minister on international relations. The association recognized his decades of work and his contribution to strengthening Lithuania’s economic diplomacy by expanding trade relations and defending the interests of Lithuanian companies in international markets.
The Business Journalist of the Year 2025 title went to Roma Pakėnienė, Editor-in-Chief of the business desk at the BNS news agency. Investors recognized her experience, contribution to setting the highest standards of agency journalism, expertise, and precision.
Innovation and Future Technologies
This year’s awards featured several new special nominations. SEB Bank established the “Investment in the Future Business of the Year” award, intended for companies contributing to long-term change by building a strong foundation for the future economy and security. The award was given to Brolis Defence Group.
“This year, the award goes to a company distinguished by a unique technological breakthrough and leadership. It develops advanced technologies, strengthens regional security and resilience, and contributes to the modernization of the defense sector. The company’s consistent investments, pace of innovation, and export success strengthen our country’s position in the global defense industry,” emphasized Sonata Gutauskaitė-Bubnelienė, CEO of SEB Bank.
The special award “Technological Breakthrough of the Year,” established by Telia Lietuva, was awarded to Tesonet Global for a significant technological shift that transformed its business model, created new products, or introduced innovative solutions. Investors recognized the AI platform nexos.ai, developed by Tesonet’s founders, which attracted EUR 30 million in investment at the end of 2025, as well as the company’s social initiatives and its efforts to provide Lithuanian students with access to advanced AI tools.
“It is strategically important for Lithuania to be not only a user of artificial intelligence but also a creator. AI will help accelerate growth, reduce costs, and enable increasingly personalized services. By being at the forefront of this change rather than lagging behind, we have the opportunity to influence both technological and economic development. This is precisely why we are awarding Tesonet Global – for putting Lithuania on the global AI map,” said Giedrė Kaminskaitė-Salters, CEO of Telia Lithuania.
Authorities and Transparency Ambassadors
This year, Klaipėda State Seaport Authority established the economic diplomacy award “Opening Doors to Lithuania,” which was awarded to Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys.
The award aims to recognize individuals and organizations that strengthen Lithuania’s international ties and contribute to enhancing the country’s economic security. “The Port of Klaipėda sees every day how economic relationships translate into contributions to national prosperity – through cargo, projects, and partnerships. The activities of the country’s chief diplomat in 2025 significantly helped expand these ties, improve the investment climate, and strengthen Lithuania’s image as a reliable and attractive investment destination,” said Algis Latakas, CEO of Klaipėda State Seaport Authority.
The selection of the Entrepreneurship and Economics Teacher of the Year was supported by the association’s long-standing partner, Lithuanian Junior Achievement. The title was awarded to Daiva Palukaitienė, a teacher at Vytautas Magnus University Šakiai “Žiburys” Gymnasium.
The transparent business initiative White Wave, administered by Investors’ Forum, recognized organizations contributing to improving business culture and promoting transparency. The title of “Transparency Ambassador of the Year 2025” was awarded to the Special Investigation Service for its consistent fight against systemic corruption, implementation of the highest transparency standards in the public sector, preventive activities, and evidence-based recommendations.
The awards event also highlighted public health. A symbolic heart-shaped installation invited participants to express their support for saving lives prematurely lost due to cardiovascular diseases. The installation served as a reminder that such diseases silently shorten life expectancy and, at the same time, limit the country’s potential for growth.
Investors’ Forum brings together the largest foreign and Lithuanian investors across various sectors of the Lithuanian economy. The association includes more than 80 major and reputable companies, such as Thermo Fisher, Northway, Telia, Swedbank, SEB Bank, Luminor, Perlas, Iki, Rimi, Lidl, SBA, Tesonet, Orlen, Ignitis, LTG, KN Energies, and others. Its members aim to create the most favorable investment environment in Lithuania, based on trust in business, an efficient public sector, and a strong talent system—forming the foundation for a safe and prosperous Lithuania.