Europe’s digital regulations are moving from policy debates to practical obligations for startups.

​The EU AI Act, new advertising rules, and changes to Europe’s wider digital rulebook increasingly affect how companies build products, use data, communicate with customers, and grow across the EU.

​Join Vilnius Founders for a practical discussion covering current key EU regulations for startups:

​🤖 The EU AI Act

​Since August 2, 2026, new transparency requirements have applied to certain AI systems and AI-generated content. They can affect chatbots, AI agents, digital advertising, product images, synthetic audio, deepfakes, and AI-modified content.

​Potential penalties can reach €15 million or 3% of worldwide annual turnover.

​🇱🇹 Lithuania’s EU Council Presidency

​Lithuania will hold the Presidency of the Council of the EU from January to June 2027, helping lead negotiations and broker agreements between member states.

​What does this mean for Lithuanian startups? Which digital-policy decisions could move forward, and how can founders make their voices heard before positions are finalized in Brussels?

​🍰 Simplification and the Digital Omnibus

​Brussels wants stronger digital protections and greater European competitiveness at the same time. The Digital Omnibus promises to simplify parts of the EU’s AI, data, cybersecurity, and cookie rulebook.

​Will it genuinely reduce the compliance burden for startups, or simply reorganize an already complex regulatory landscape?

​📣 New rules for startups that advertise

​Startups using paid acquisition, influencers, personalized offers, or AI-generated marketing need to follow Europe’s changing advertising rules.

​The discussion will cover targeted advertising, influencer campaigns, dark patterns, AI-generated content, and political advertising requirements relevant to adtech companies and campaign providers.

​For founders, the practical questions include:
​When must users be told they are interacting with AI?
​Which AI-generated advertisements and materials must be labelled?
​Who is responsible when employees, agencies, or contractors use AI?
​How will the Digital Omnibus change existing obligations?
​Which advertising initiatives should startups prepare for?
​How can Lithuanian founders engage with policymakers before new rules are finalized?

​Expect an honest, practical conversation about what startups need to do now, which risks are commonly overlooked, and where regulatory change may create new opportunities.

​Speakers

​Eglė Markevičiūtė is EU Affairs Manager at Consumer Choice Center Europe and a former Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation. She also serves on the advisory boards of AI Chamber CEE and the Europe Startup Nations Alliance.

​More speakers will be announced soon.

​📅 September 10
🕕 18:00–21:00
📍 Vilnius Old Town

​Consumer Choice Center Europe is the drinks sponsor of the evening! 🍻
​Consumer Choice Center Europe is a non-partisan, independent consumer advocacy organization promoting innovative, consumer-focused policies across Europe. It brings the perspectives of consumers and innovators into EU policy discussions and works to assess how regulation affects consumer choice, competition, and innovation.

Register HERE.

​​About 🚀 Vilnius Founders

​Founder-driven meetups for builders and operators in Lithuania.

​No slides. No suits. Honest conversations, practical advice, and focused networking.