DT #651 Lithuania Rising: How a Small Nation Became a Global Hub for FinTech and Innovation
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
Release Date: 06/03/2026
DT #650 Building Inclusive Economies: How Private Sector Lessons Drive Community Transformation
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take to build economies that are truly inclusive—and built for long-term impact? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with to explore his diverse career spanning the private sector, entrepreneurship, and community development—and how those experiences shape his approach to economic transformation today. Philip shares how lessons from the private sector can directly inform economic development strategy, especially when it comes to innovation, ecosystem building, and driving measurable community impact. The conversation also highlights the importance of addressing systemic...
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DT #651 Lithuania Rising: How a Small Nation Became a Global Hub for FinTech and Innovation
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How did Lithuania transform itself into one of Europe’s fastest-rising investment and innovation hubs? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with from to explore the country’s remarkable economic evolution and growing global influence. From FinTech and global business services to defense and data centers, Lithuania has positioned itself as a competitive destination for high-value investment. Ruta explains how the country’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly environment continue to attract international companies and talent. A major focus of the...
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DT #648 Why Hungary Wins: Inside Europe’s Fastest-Evolving Investment Destination
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What makes a country stand out in the global race for investment? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with of the to explore why Hungary has become one of Central Europe’s most dynamic investment destinations. From its strategic location at the heart of Europe to its deep integration into the EU single market, Hungary offers companies access to major markets, efficient logistics, and strong infrastructure. Fadi explains how the country’s positioning enables fast access across Europe while supporting complex global supply chains. The conversation dives into Hungary’s economic...
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DT #649 The New Rules of Site Selection: Power, Risk, and the Future of Industrial Location Strategy
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What are the new rules shaping where major industrial projects choose to land? In this episode of Develop This!, speaks with , Director of Site Selection at , to unpack how technology, geopolitics, and infrastructure demands are reshaping modern site selection. Courtney breaks down how today’s location decisions are being influenced far beyond traditional cost factors. From energy availability to geopolitical stability, companies are weighing risks and long-term resilience more heavily than ever before. A major focus of the conversation is infrastructure—especially power. As industries...
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DT #646 Dress the Part: How Personal Style Shapes Confidence and Career Success
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How much does what you wear actually shape how you’re perceived—and how you perform? In this episode of Develop This!, is joined by , founder of , to explore his journey from a farm in Canada to becoming a leading voice in men’s fashion and personal styling. Dan breaks down the fundamentals of building a professional wardrobe, emphasizing why fit, quality, and intention matter more than trends. He also shares how personalized style can directly influence confidence, presence, and career success. The conversation explores the shift toward more casual dress codes, and why understanding...
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DT #647 From Legacy City to Regional Powerhouse: How Birmingham Is Rewriting Its Economic Future
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What does it take for a legacy industrial city to reinvent itself into a modern growth hub? In this episode of Develop This!, is joined by to explore Birmingham’s ongoing economic transformation and the strategies shaping its future. From major wins like the Fannie Mae project to the continued rise of life sciences and metals industries, Birmingham is positioning itself as a diversified and competitive regional economy. Trevor breaks down how strategic investment, infrastructure, and workforce alignment are driving that shift. A major focus of the conversation is workforce...
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DT #644 Beyond Cost: What’s Really Driving Global Site Selection Today
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What’s really driving global location decisions today? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with of to unpack the shifting landscape of site selection and investment strategy. From AI and data centers to supply chain resilience, Johan explains how companies are rethinking where they invest—and why. As decentralization accelerates, talent and strong ecosystems are becoming just as important as cost. The conversation also highlights a key shift: “soft factors” like workforce quality, innovation networks, and livability are now critical differentiators in competitive markets. A...
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DT #645 The Future of Economic Development: AI, Talent, and Regional Strategy in a Changing World
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
How is economic development evolving in a world shaped by rapid technological change? In this episode of Develop This!, sits down with to explore how regional strategies, emerging technologies, and workforce development are redefining the field. From AI to quantum computing, Alejandra breaks down how innovation is influencing where and how communities grow. She emphasizes the importance of infrastructure, regional collaboration, and staying grounded in a global context that continues to shape local decisions. Workforce development is a central theme, with a focus on building skills across...
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DT #642 Big Ideas, Bold Leadership with Mark C. Perna
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
In this inspiring episode of Develop This!, host sits down with to explore the power of bold thinking, visionary leadership, and rallying people around big ideas. Drawing on their shared fascination with the Apollo program, they unpack how the audacity of aiming for the moon transformed not just science—but an entire generation’s mindset. From the iconic leadership behind the Apollo 11 Moon Landing to the forward-looking ambitions of the Artemis Program, this conversation connects the dots between space exploration and the work economic developers do every day: building momentum,...
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DT #643 Leadership Traits of High-Performing Economic Developers – Barry Broome
Develop This: Economic and Community Development
What separates good economic development organizations from great ones? According to Barry Broome, it comes down to leadership, data, and the courage to adapt. In this episode of Develop This!, host sits down with , President and CEO of the and recipient of the 2025 Chairwoman’s Award from the International Economic Development Council. Barry shares hard-earned insights from decades in the field, offering a candid look at the evolving economic development landscape. From the acceleration of reshoring and the rise of secondary markets to the growing influence of AI and automation, this...
info_outlineHow did Lithuania transform itself into one of Europe’s fastest-rising investment and innovation hubs?
In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Rūta Kriščiūnaitė from Invest Lithuania to explore the country’s remarkable economic evolution and growing global influence.
From FinTech and global business services to defense and data centers, Lithuania has positioned itself as a competitive destination for high-value investment. Ruta explains how the country’s strategic location, modern infrastructure, and business-friendly environment continue to attract international companies and talent.
A major focus of the conversation is workforce development. Lithuania’s emphasis on upskilling, talent attraction, and strong collaboration between government, education, and industry has helped fuel growth across emerging sectors.
The discussion also dives into Lithuania’s rise as a FinTech powerhouse, supported by forward-thinking regulation and licensing frameworks that helped the country become one of the EU’s leading FinTech ecosystems.
Energy independence and renewable energy investments are also reshaping the country’s long-term strategy, while defense manufacturing and innovation are emerging as major priorities in response to shifting geopolitical realities.
A key takeaway? Lithuania’s success comes from its willingness to evolve, test new industries, and invest strategically in future growth sectors.
Key Takeaways
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Lithuania has become a major hub for FinTech, business services, and innovation
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Workforce upskilling and talent attraction are central to growth strategy
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Strategic regulation helped accelerate FinTech development
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Renewable energy and energy independence are key priorities
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Defense is becoming an increasingly important strategic industry
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Long-term growth depends on continuously testing and developing new sectors
Key Topics Covered
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Lithuania’s geographic and infrastructure advantages
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The role of Invest Lithuania in economic development
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Workforce development and talent strategies
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FinTech growth and regulatory innovation
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Renewable energy and energy independence
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Defense industry investments and future sectors
Sound Bites
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“Defense is the new strategic industry for Lithuania.”
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“Lithuania signed a deal to purchase 44 Leopard tanks.”
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“Testing new industries is crucial for future growth.”