Ukrainian engineering expertise on the stage of MIT Media Lab: BEETLESS's participation in the NALB Forum 2025

In times of rapid technological transformations, events that create space for meaningfu collaboration — between countries, sectors, and expert communities — become especially significant. This is exactly what the North American Lithuanian Business Forum, held from June 9-11 in Boston, became this year — with a focus on the practical integration of innovations into global economic contexts.

The event brought together technology companies, investors, diplomatic institutions, scientific organizations, and entrepreneurs from Lithuania, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Founded in 2019, the forum scaled around a shared economic vision and became one of the most dynamic formats for transatlantic cooperation. In 2025, the NALBF gathered about 300 participants to discuss the potential of public-private partnerships in biotechnology, dual-use solutions, digital industries, and the creative economy. The event was supported by the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and the Governor of Massachusetts, Maura Healey.

One of the central elements of this year’s program was the panel discussion “The Race to Lead: Shaping Tomorrow’s Technology Landscape,” held at MIT Media Lab — a place that embodies engineering openness, interdisciplinary thinking, and the implementation of innovative solutions into practical reality. It is within this context that Ukraine was represented by Oleksandra Afanasieva, Strategic Advisor at DroneUA/Futurology and CEO of BEETLESS. In her speech, the expert presented Ukraine’s vision as an environment where engineering thought, agricultural technologies, and entrepreneurial initiative drive the creation of flexible, scalable solutions with high potential for cross-sector application.

"We work with solutions that are traditionally developed for use in the agri-sector, but in practice, their potential is much broader — and that’s why they are increasingly being integrated into other industries where autonomy, flexibility, and resilience are needed," said Oleksandra Afanasieva during her speech.

Specifically, under the moderation of Tony Maciulis, the discussion also featured the following participants:

·       Tadas Vizgirda – Country Head, Shift4 Lithuania; Chairman of the Board, American Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania

·       Greg Autry – Associate Provost for Space Commercialization and Strategy, University of Central Florida

·       Simonas Černiauskas – CEO, INFOBALT Association

The discussion covered topics such as the development of artificial intelligence, frontier technologies, regulatory challenges, digital security, and the role of international cooperation. The Ukrainian experience sparked interest among the attendees, as domestic solutions demonstrate a high level of practical adaptability and rapid implementation on a large scale.

"Ukraine and Lithuania are already speaking the same technological language. This lays a strong foundation for deeper cooperation and joint formats that have practical value and potential," emphasized Afanasieva.

The presentation of the Ukrainian technological ecosystem and engineering expertise at MIT Media Lab held special symbolic significance for BEETLESS. The innovative research center is one of the world’s most renowned places where leading research begins, evolutionary concepts are formed, and working prototypes are born. Therefore, the company’s participation in the event is yet another proof that the Ukrainian experience is becoming a significant part of the global technological discourse.

BEETLESS extends its gratitude to the organizers of the North American Lithuanian Business Forum 2025 — Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to the United States of America, Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Los Angeles, Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago, Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York, Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania to Canada, Innovation Agency Lithuania, Baltic American Chamber of Commerce, Lithuanian Honorary Consuls in the USA, Global Lithuanian Leaders, Lithuanian American Community, Lithuanian American Business Association in Los Angeles, Innovation Hub Lithuania — for creating a space for strategic dialogue, technological partnership, and international cooperation.

BEETLESS is deeply grateful to Jurate Useviciute-Peralta, a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, for the invitation to participate in the forum and for the continued support in integrating Ukrainian technologies into the global landscape.