Growing the HEROES Friends Network: VIKO Connects Business with the Alliance
At the end of May, Vilniaus kolegija / Higher Education Institution (VIKO) welcomed representatives of the business community to VIKO — taking another step in building HEROES Friends, the Alliance’s growing network of companies, organisations and individuals who collaborate with our nine universities across Europe.
The meeting created a valuable space for dialogue between higher education and industry, bringing together entrepreneurs, export professionals and regional business representatives to discuss internationalization, talent development, and innovation.
VIKO introduced the opportunities offered by the HEROES Alliance, emphasizing the alliance’s commitment to building strong partnerships between academia and businesses. Participants explored ways to engage in applied research, innovation activities, knowledge exchange, and international collaboration across the alliance’s network of European universities.
A key outcome of the discussion was the strong interest in developing practical partnerships that connect academic expertise with industry needs. Among the companies expressing interest in future cooperation was Frank Fruities, a Swiss-developed nutritional supplement brand focused on preventive nutrition and wellness. The company sees significant potential for collaboration with VIKO’s Faculty of Health Care, Faculty of Agrotechnologies, and HEROES Alliance partners in areas such as applied research, product testing, innovation, and evidence-based approaches to preventive nutrition.
“By bringing together academic expertise and industry experience, we can create meaningful solutions that support healthier lifestyles and long-term wellbeing. We see strong synergies with VIKO and the HEROES Alliance in advancing innovation at the intersection of nutrition, health, and consumer behaviour,” noted Gvidas Krukonis, the founder of Frank Fruities.
The meeting highlighted the shared commitment of VIKO, HEROES partners, and the business community to work together on applied research, innovation, knowledge exchange, and skills development. Such collaborations strengthen regional innovation ecosystems while creating new opportunities for students, researchers, and businesses across Europe.
Through initiatives like these, VIKO and the HEROES Alliance continue to build bridges between education, research, and industry, turning collaboration into tangible impact for regional and European communities.
