Technology company Agmis launched a startup accelerator program for company employees. The initiative allows Agmis to develop valuable know-how in emerging technologies, grow staff competencies, and attract top engineering talent.
“Project development and IT team outsourcing form the financial backbone of software development companies. In Lithuania, not many companies risk launching their own products. But this is a must to keep up with current tech trends and stay competitive on a global scale” – notes Agmis CEO Saulius Kaukenas.
More than 80 percent of Agmis revenue comes from projects outside the Lithuanian market. The company became the first certified Salesforce partner in the Baltic states.
How the Accelerator Works
The startup accelerator functions as a separate department within Agmis. Any employee can pitch an idea for the program. Each idea is first evaluated for commercial potential and market demand. If the product seems feasible, a prototype is developed and presented to potential clients.
The emphasis is on speed – validating ideas quickly rather than building in isolation.
“I sometimes remind my colleagues – you fail too slow. In this program you need to develop a quick go-to-market process. It encompasses understanding of the market, business development skills, quick prototype development, and an effective sales and marketing funnel. If the market proves us wrong, we must explore pivoting alternatives or kill the idea altogether.”
Saulius Kaukenas
CEO, Agmis
What’s Coming Out of the Program
The accelerator is currently focused on Computer Vision and AI technologies. VPixel Fitness – an AI motion tracking solution for gyms – is one of the first products to emerge from the program. VPixel Fitness tracks gym member workouts, monitors whether exercises are performed correctly, and notifies personal trainers when a member needs assistance. The platform also measures activity levels during workouts and tracks member progress over time.
Computer vision applications for industry, logistics, and construction sectors are also being trialed through the accelerator.
Why It Matters Beyond the Products
“Even working on large-scale projects, an IT company can get stuck in a rut. Trialing new technologies through a startup initiative gives our employees valuable know-how and experience outside the current demands of our clients. It also allows us to test our capabilities on a global scale. Even if a startup product fails, employees gain insights that can be applied to client projects further down the line – and it expands the scope of what Agmis can offer” – notes Kaukenas.
The accelerator also serves as a recruitment tool. In a market where salary levels across IT companies are similar, the opportunity to work on innovative, self-directed projects gives Agmis an edge in attracting specialists who want more than just another outsourcing assignment.
“Competition for talent in the IT sector is very intense. Best specialists always look for innovative, promising projects” – notes Kaukenas.
