Talents that the Venture Capital and Private Equity ecosystem needs

Designed to invest: what kind of professionals are needed for the investment ecosystem?

Lithuania's investment ecosystem has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, becoming a fast growing private equity and venture capital hub in the Baltic region. This transformation is not only driving economic growth, but also changing the country's labour market, creating a dynamic environment for local and international talent.

The development of the technology sector and demand for talent

Lithuania is increasingly becoming a technology-driven economy, with investments in key areas such as financial technology, artificial intelligence, cyber security and life sciences. The country has established itself as a leader in fintechand blockchain technologies, attracting significant funding from venture capital funds and institutional investors. In addition, there has been a sharp increase in funding for artificial intelligence start-ups, logistics technologies and sustainable energy projects.

Venture capital and private equity investment funds, brought together by the Lithuanian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, founded in 2009, are contributing to economic development. Greta Mieliauskaitė, who heads the association, says that the ecosystem alone currently employs over 16,000 diverse talents, and since the funds' inception, assets under management have reached EUR 3 billion. These figures underline the importance of the investment sector for the country's economy and labour market.

Hard competences are not everything

Greta shares that it is a misconception that the industry is only a market for hard skills, and that only law, business or economics graduates come to work. Above all, the ability to build and maintain relationships is what is needed.

"Funds don't invest on their own, they look for co-investment partners. Also, it is often the funds that find the best start-ups. To find out about them, you need to keep an eye on the market, be active in closed groups, attend events and be visible and noticeable. This is why the networking effect is crucial. There are a lot of funds out there, and the best start-ups choose who to work with, so it is important to stand out, be noticeable and offer exceptional value," said G. Mieliauskaitė, who shares the behind-the-scenes of the industry.

More broadly, on the talent the ecosystem is looking for, the Managing Director elaborated that investment funds need a multidisciplinary team to successfully identify, invest in and support high-growth start-ups. Key roles include investment analysts and specialists who research market trends, assess startups' potential and conduct due diligence. Partners make investment decisions using deep industry knowledge and extensive contacts to find the best investment opportunities. Legal experts ensure compliance with financial regulations and draft investment agreements, while financial analysts conduct portfolio valuations and risk analysis. In addition, operational partners and sector specialists provide practical support to help start-ups scale up efficiently. As funds and companies increasingly specialise in specific areas such as financial technology, biotechnology or artificial intelligence, technology experts who can assess the potential for innovation are in high demand. Finally, a successful investment ecosystem team has the financial acumen, strategic vision and entrepreneurial experience to deliver high returns on investment.

The importance of ongoing cooperation

The dynamic and interdisciplinary nature of the Lithuanian investment ecosystem underlines the importance of continuous collaboration between academia and the ecosystem. As the market is constantly changing, the skills and competences of the workforce need to evolve accordingly. Educational institutions need to be flexible, constantly updating their curricula to meet the latest industry needs, while maintaining their mission to advance scientific knowledge and develop critical thinkers. Universities, as institutions of higher education and research, should not only be seen as workforce training institutions, but also as spaces where the synthesis of creativity, innovation and theoretical knowledge is encouraged. At the same time, investors and businesses should actively engage with academia to provide insights and resources to help build a competent and innovative workforce to meet the challenges of modern society and industry.

"Universities are committed to developing leaders who will not only build the society of the future, but also be able to tackle its key problems. They promote active, personalised and interdisciplinary learning, based on the principles of scientific inquiry. It is important that graduates are prepared to operate in a global environment, adapting to the rapidly changing challenges of technology, biotechnology and artificial intelligence. We already have examples of success in this dynamic context: Biomatter, CasZyme, Atrandi Biosciences and other biotech start-ups affiliated with Vilnius University", says Justinas Noreika, CEO of Vilnius University Endowment Fund.

G. Mieliauskaitė says that successful start-up creators are usually the ones that start or come to work at funds. Once they have created a business, sold it and received capital, they seek to return some of it to the ecosystem. The innovation cycle is therefore crucial here.

Lithuania's investment ecosystem is growing and changing rapidly, but its success depends on talented professionals who can adapt to new challenges. Venture capital and private equity funds require not only financial, legal or technological competences, but also strong networking and strategic thinking skills. Interdisciplinary knowledge is becoming increasingly important, and collaboration between academia and the business ecosystem ensures that the training of professionals meets market needs.

In the future, the investment sector will become even more specialised, focusing on biotechnology, artificial intelligence and other high added value areas. This will require both educational institutions and future or existing talent to remain flexible, innovative and ready for continuous development. Lithuania's success as an investment hub will depend on its ability to attract and nurture the top talent that will shape the future of the country's economy.