Glasgow tech firm helps Lithuanian government crack down on illicit trade

A Glasgow-based start-up which develops technology to keep consumers safe online has secured a deal with the Lithuanian government to crack down on illicit trade.

Glasgow-based Vistalworks is the only UK firm among nine set-ups taking on various government challenges in Lithuania. The firm specialises in developing software to target illicit and fake goods being sold online.

Vistalworks is the only UK firm among nine set-ups taking on various government challenges in Lithuania. The Scots firm specialises in developing software to target illicit and fake goods being sold online.

The deal has come about with backing from the Scotland CAN DO Innovation Challenge Fund, which supported it through the bidding process and includes the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise, the Scottish Funding Council and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Vistalworks has staff based in Scotland who can speak Lithuanian and Russian who will work on the project remotely. It is hoped that similar deals can be struck with other small EU nations.

The company has already established an additional base in Estonia to ensure it can still provide services for EU countries post-Brexit.

Vicky Brock, chief executive and founder of Vistalworks, said: “We are hugely excited to be working on this project with GovTech Lab in Lithuania.

“Vistalworks has developed a really powerful intelligence service that lets enforcement agencies conduct risk-based targeting of illegal online sellers, as well as illicit goods.

“We already have a great international team here in Scotland, which is testament to the brilliant universities and graduates the country has.

“Ultimately, illicit trade is a global, cross-border problem and we’ve always recognised that we need to build an internationally-focused solution to help governments tackle it.

“The Scotland CAN DO Innovation Challenge Fund provided great support through this process.”

Arune Matelyte, manager of GovTech Lab Lithuania, added: “The idea is we as a country can be effective and thrive only by working together and not competing with each other. Our team truly believes in the process of co-creation of innovative government.

“We must work together – the entrepreneurs, public sector officials, activists and academics – to effectively solve public sector and social challenges, challenges that are too complex to be solved by anyone alone.”

Last month, Vistalworks was selected for the UK’s fintech – financial technology – growth programme to help secure the country’s position as a world-leader in the sector.

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