How does a global tech product emerge from personal sports experience, a small budget, and unwavering determination? FPRO, a startup, began its journey at Spiečius in Šiauliai—one of 15 coworking centers founded by Innovation Agency Lithuania. Today, the company is entering a new growth phase: it has just announced a €2 million investment from tech accelerator Tesonet.

This is FPRO’s first external investment, which will help further expand access to professional youth football training worldwide using smart technologies. FPRO’s story is proof that believing in your idea, working hard, and persevering can break through any geographical boundaries. It’s an inspiring reminder: you can build a global business, even from the regions.

FPRO co-founder Darius Jankauskas shares how it all began, the challenges faced, and his vision for the future.

Do you remember the moment the idea for FPRO was born? How and when did it happen? Was there a specific event that inspired it?

I remember it well. The idea came naturally from practice—I worked as a personal football coach and had previously played professionally myself. I saw how many kids and young players wanted to improve but lacked access to quality training or a clear path for self-development.

The turning point came in spring 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and outdoor sports became nearly impossible. That’s when I realized: if we can’t bring players to the field, we need to bring training to them—right into their yard or living room.

That’s when I was convinced: if this platform doesn’t exist yet, we have to create it. That’s how FPRO was born—the mission to make individual football training accessible to anyone, anywhere, anytime. All you need is a mobile app, a ball, and a special training mat. The user receives a personalized training plan, sees their progress in real time, and the whole experience is designed to keep players motivated to improve.

What challenges did you face at the start of your business? What was the hardest part? Were there situations no one warned you about but you wish you could warn others?

The hardest part was starting out. When you have an idea but no technical background, budget, or team, the challenge can feel overwhelming. You have to believe in what you’re doing, even when everyone around you says it’s too ambitious. No one warned me just how much time would be needed, not just for the product, but also for communicating with partners, marketing, and user education. In other words, being a good coach isn’t enough—you also have to become an entrepreneur.

Joining Spiečius in Šiauliai helped a lot—not only did I find a workspace, but also like-minded people and expert knowledge. That allowed me to break a long road into smaller, achievable steps. If I could warn others, I’d say: be prepared for a marathon, not a sprint.

What’s your secret to success: how did you develop a tech solution without a big budget or IT team?

We started small, doing everything in-house and using existing tools. We kept a sharp focus: content first, since that’s our strength. We invested in high-quality training, filming, and structure. Once we proved the content worked and players improved, others who believed in our vision joined to help on the tech side. The most important things: clear direction and patience.

How did the mentorship program help your journey? Was there any advice that helped you decide at a critical moment or change direction?

The mentorship program at Spiečius was a crucial stage. There were moments when we felt stuck—especially with product development or entering markets. One piece of advice I’ll never forget: don’t try to create the perfect product from the start—first, make a working version and test it with real users. That approach helped us move faster, get to the core, and not be afraid of mistakes.

How do you see the role of the regional business community? Did you feel part of it from the start?

At first, we felt pretty alone. But once we started sharing our story and saw initial results, we were accepted. The regional business community offers a lot of value: advice, connections, and simply human support. It’s a force worth leveraging—especially for those starting out in smaller cities, like us. Lithuania has a lot of talent—you just have to dare to be visible.

How did your first steps into foreign markets look? What helped you reach users in the UK, Germany, and the US? Were there moments when you were surprised it was working?

We started organically, through social media, where we had a sports community. Later, we launched campaigns and worked with coaches who recommended us. The first time someone from the US wrote, “Your app changed the way my son trains,” was a powerful confirmation that what we were doing worked globally. We were surprised that, even without a big budget or physical presence abroad, we could build trust through content and quality.

What does the Tesonet investment mean to you—not just financially, but for your team and growth vision?

It’s not just about money—it’s a qualitative leap. Tesonet brought in a lot of knowledge, structure, and contacts. Their team helped us look at FPRO not just as a product, but as a business whose success depends on processes, team, and speed. For us, it was like shifting into a higher gear—in both strategy and mindset. For the team, it brought confidence that what we’re building has global potential.

How did you build your team? Was it hard to find people who believed in your idea as strongly as you did?

It was tough at first—there was nothing yet, just a vision. But when people see your dedication, energy, and clear goals, those who want to join appear. Today, our team has about 20 people. We’re not just professionals, but ambassadors for the idea. Many of us come from sports backgrounds and know what it means to aim higher. That unites us. When searching for team members, I always ask: do you believe we can change youth football training culture? If the answer is YES, then the path is mutual.

What values guide you when creating a product for children? How do you ensure it’s not just functional, but friendly and approachable for young users?

First and foremost—responsibility. A child who chooses us needs to feel safe, motivated, and understood. We don’t want to be just another tech platform. We want to be a virtual coach who helps kids grow. So, we focus a lot on language, visuals, and the format of tasks—making them clear, engaging, and progressive.

And most importantly—we want to show that training can be fun, and progress can be measured.

What would you say to those who doubt whether it’s really possible to build a global product from a region?

It’s not just possible—it’s our reality. From Lithuania, without an office in London or Berlin, we created a platform used by kids from 48 countries. The most important thing is to provide real value to users and have the courage to act. Region isn’t an obstacle—the obstacle is usually in your mind. Today, technology lets you be everywhere if your solution solves a real problem.

What is your vision for the next 2–3 years? Where do you want to be, and what are your key next steps?

The next few years will be a period of growth and strong positioning. We want FPRO to become the world’s No. 1 choice for individual football development. We aim to further automate personalized training, integrate AI, and strengthen our community and education for parents and coaches. Next steps: growing in the B2B segment and forming partnerships with academies. The vision is simple—to make personal development accessible to every child in the world.