Los Angeles – an opportunity not to be missed: NALBF 2026 invites you

At the end of April, Los Angeles will become a meeting point for Lithuania and North America – a place where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are built, and new business connections are formed. From April 29-30, the North American Lithuanian Business Forum (NALBF 2026) will take place on the U.S. West Coast for the first time, bringing together those seeking to grow in international markets.

Over the years, NALBF has evolved into one of the most important transatlantic economic platforms. What began in 2019 as a gathering of Lithuanian diaspora professionals at the Embassy of Lithuania in Washington, D.C., has grown into a significant annual event connecting leaders from business, innovation, and policy across both sides of the Atlantic, alongside diaspora professionals, diplomats, and honorary consuls from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The 2026 forum in Los Angeles will mark the seventh edition. Previous forums were held in Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, and Boston, with a virtual edition during the pandemic. Over the past four years, the forum has been held under the patronage of the President of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda, and annually attracts around 250 business leaders from Lithuania and North America.

Today, NALBF serves as a key platform for fostering dialogue and partnerships between Lithuanian and North American business communities. It spans a wide range of sectors, including ICT and digital innovation, space technologies, defense and dual-use technologies, advanced manufacturing, fintech, life sciences, creative industries, and food and beverage innovation. This year’s central theme focuses on artificial intelligence – its development, applications, opportunities, and risks.

Strong Lithuanian business delegations will travel to Los Angeles, representing sectors such as IT, defense and space, creative industries, and FoodTech. The forum will be attended by Lithuania’s Minister of the Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Taurimas Valys, as well as representatives from Vilnius municipality, universities, and research institutions. The goal is also to attract U.S. business leaders, investors, and decision-makers, creating a space where collaboration is not only discussed but actively developed.

The event will be hosted by U.S. television presenter Patrick Evans, while the keynote address will be delivered by Shilpa Kolhatkar, Global Head of AI Nations at NVIDIA. The speaker lineup also includes notable figures such as Marty Kausas, founder of AI startup Pylon; Jonas Žmuidzinas, Merle Kingsley Professor of Physics at California Institute of Technology (Caltech); Anima Anandkumar, Bren Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Caltech, Member of the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board; Jillian Manus, Venture Partner at SHIELD Capital, U.S. Venture Advisor to the European Innovation Council Fund; Mary-Christine “M.C.” Sungaila, Partner, Complex Appellate Litigation Group LLP; Professor of Space Law & Policy, LMU Loyola Law School Los Angeles; Einaras von Gravrock, CEO and Founder of CUBE3 AI, Co-Founder of Cast AI, Founder of CUJO AI, Founder of Modnique, Judge @ Shark Tank Lithuania; Viktorija Trimbel, Coinvest Capital Managing Director, among others. 

The main NALBF day will take place on April 30 at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), with a networking event on the evening of April 29. The continuously updated program and registration details are available at: https://nalbforum.com

Los Angeles has been chosen deliberately. As one of the most dynamic regions in the world, it is a global hub for innovation and emerging trends. For Lithuanian companies, it offers a gateway to expand into the U.S. market, while for American partners, it provides an opportunity to discover reliable and innovative partners in Europe.

A successful event comes at a cost, so we invite businesses to contribute to its organization by becoming sponsors. Information on sponsorship opportunities is also available on the forum’s website.

If you are considering expanding your business, looking for partners, or simply want to be where important conversations happen, this is an opportunity not to be missed. NALBF 2026 in Los Angeles aims to serve as a bridge between Lithuanian and North American business communities – and the conversations started here may well become long-term partnerships.

NALBF 2026 Organizing Team in Los Angeles

Information at a glance

NALBF 2026
Date: April 30, 2026 at 8:30 AM-6:30 PM
Location: UCLA Covel Commons, 330 De Neve Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90024

NALBF Networking Evening
Date: April 29, 2026 at 6:30-9:30 PM
Location: Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel, 11461 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

One ticket for both events:
https://events.hoperfy.com/nalb-la-2026/tickets