The Cannamella brand of Lithuanian caramels is an example of a how a young entrepreneur can acquire the knowledge and insight to start a business, with the help of EU funds.
- 16 August 2019
Cannamella was founded out of a passion for sweets. Caramel was a top desert for me and eventually it became my whole life. Consequently, I chose to study food technology and engineering. During my third year, I started to experiment in a laboratory and after two years of experimenting Cannamella was ready to be presented to the world. I believe customers need both quality products and an attractive presentation, which is what Cannamella represents. I created different kinds of caramel to find a place in everyone’s heart.
Through a reimbursed consultation service dedicated to starting SMEs and financed by the European Regional Development Fund, young Lithuanian entrepreneur Greta Putnaitė started Cannamella, a brand of natural, ecologically responsible, handmade caramels.
Over the course of six months, the Cannamella brand has increased in popularity and Putnaitė’s business has evolved from a start-up to a stable and flourishing business.
Using the tools available
Invega, the company behind the consultation services, offered business consultations to Putnaitė, including advice on the juridical status of her company, knowledge about an appropriate business strategy and several business tools.
During her first year, Putnaitė worked with an individual activity certificate. After consulting with Invega, she set up a small B2B-oriented shop where she could manage her brand and its production. Reorienting her own business to other businesses has incentivised her to improve and further develop her brand. Putnaitė has decided to apply for another grant to buy modern equipment and invest in technologies.
From food to pharma
Putnaitė studied food technology and engineering at the Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania, from where she graduated in 2017. After her studies she entered the pharmaceutical sector with the intention of designing and creating an appealing product.
She turned her studies into practice in Vilnius, where the idea of producing food came to be. Cannamella initially started as an idea to produce packed spreads as Christmas gifts through an online sales platform. Even with the holidays over, orders kept in coming in, mostly requesting Putnaitė’s caramels.
Since its launch, the Cannamella products have spread from Vilnius to eight other Lithuanian cities. There, they can be purchased in stores that relate to the brand’s artisanal approach. Today, Cannamella sells caramels in six flavours – classic, hazelnut, lyophilized raspberry or strawberry, coconut and Belgian chocolate – and can be found in shops in nine cities in Lithuania. Considering market trends and the rising popularity of wholesome and healthy products, Putnaitė is currently developing a caramel without sugar or milk.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Cannamella” is EUR 2 000, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 2 000 through the “EU Structural Funds Investments” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Internal Market”.