From Vision to Practice: Achieving Ambitious Goals of the Startup Strategy 2030

Are we ready to take the next big step? The Slovenian Startup Forum 2025 is an event you can't afford to miss! It will bring together key players from the Slovenian startup ecosystem and top government decision-makers to outline a path toward achieving the ambitious goals of the Slovenian Startup Strategy 2030.

Following the Forum, on January 28-29, 2025, at the same location, The Investors Edge investment conference will take place. Separate registration is required. More information: https://theinvestorsedge.eu

Slovenian Startups as Drivers of Technological Transformation

Slovenian startups have the potential to drive technological transformation, create new jobs, and boost the country's competitiveness.

The Slovenian Startup Strategy aims for ambitious goals by 2030:

• Doubling the number of startups to 476 per million inhabitants,
• 10x increase in venture capital investments to €410 per capita,
• Significant growth in employment, revenue, and added value within startup companies.

At the forum, we will discuss how to achieve these ambitions and position Slovenia among the most innovative countries in Europe.

A Chance to Shape the Future Together

The forum's program will focus on five strategic initiatives from the Slovenian Startup Strategy:

1. Strengthening the startup support environment,
2. Attracting global talent,
3. Developing the venture capital market,
4. Implementing employee stock options,
5. Introducing lean public limited companies.

The event will feature motivational talks, concrete presentations of international best practices from ambitious countries, and offer solutions for the biggest challenges in Slovenia's startup ecosystem.

This is not just about discussion but action. The forum will be a hub of ideas, solutions, and collaboration – all with one goal: creating a stronger, more ambitious, and better-connected Slovenian startup ecosystem.

No spots available. Registration is now closed.

Event Program

9.30–10.00 Registration and Networking

10.00–10.10 Opening of the Slovenia Startup Forum 2025

❖ Overview of the purpose, structure, and key highlights of the forum, along with a presentation of the two-day event.

Moderator: Urban Lapajne, Startup Slovenia, and Venture Factory

❖ Presentation of the Slovenian Startup Strategy and its goals for 2030

Speaker: Matjaž Han, Minister, Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport

10.10–10.40 Opening Panel: "Assessing the Potential of Slovenia’s Startup Sector"
Is the 2030 Startup Strategy too ambitious, or not ambitious enough?

Speakers:

• Nikolina Prah, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance
• Matevž Frangež, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sports
• Tatjana Zabasu Mikuž, Board Advisor, ESNA, and General Partner at South Central Ventures
• Matej Rus, Slovenia’s Representative at ESNA, Startup Slovenia. and Venture Factory

Moderator: Urban Lapajne, Startup Slovenia. and Venture Factory

10.40–11.30 Keynote: "How Are the Most Attractive European Startup Environments Structuring Financial and Tax Policies?"

❖ Presentation of ESNA's mission, the "Startup Nation Standards," and the results of the 2024 ESNA report. First public unveiling of an online catalog of best practices, including successful initiatives from Portugal and Austria.

• Speaker: Arthur Jordão, Executive Director, ESNA - Europe Startup Nations Alliance

❖ Moderated discussion: "The Portuguese Government's Experience in Improving the Business Environment for Startups and Slovenia's Potential Steps"

Guests:

• João Rui Ferreira, Secretary of State for Economy, Portugal
• Matevž Frangež, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sports

Moderator: Arthur Jordão, Executive Director, ESNA - Europe Startup Nations Alliance

11.30–12.00 Coffee Break & Networking

12.00–13.00 Panel Discussion: "Challenges and Solutions for Achieving Top Startup Standards in Slovenia"

With only 23% compliance with EU startup standards, Slovenia ranks last in Europe. The panel will examine key challenges in implementing the Startup Strategy and ways to improve Slovenia's position in the European startup ecosystem.

Speakers:

• Jernej Salecl, Director-General, Industry, Entrepreneurship and InternationalisationDirectorate, Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports
• Katja Božič, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance
• Vuk Lau, Startup and Scaleup Companies Section, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia
• Gregor Rebolj, Silicon Gardens, and Slovenian Technology Forum
• Nina Dremelj, Business Angels of Slovenia, and VESNA deep tech fund

Moderator: Urban Lapajne, Startup Slovenia, and Venture Factory

13.00–13.30 Key Trends in the Slovenian Startup Ecosystem

A quick overview of significant achievements and trends in the Slovenian startup ecosystem from investors and support organizations. Discussion on key shifts in capital access, support programs, and startup successes.

Moderator: Urban Lapajne, Startup Slovenia, and Venture Factory

13.30–15.00 Lunch and Networking

15.00–

The program continues with The Investors Edge Conference. Separate registration is required. 

More information: https://theinvestorsedge.eu

Event Goals

Who Is It For?

The event is designed for key players in the Slovenian startup ecosystem, formal and informal venture capital investors, representatives of entrepreneurship support organizations, and policymakers shaping the startup environment.

Startups and scaleups with experience in venture capital are welcome to contribute their insights to the discussion.

The Slovenia Startup Forum 2025 is a chance for anyone invested in building a strong and connected startup ecosystem to take part.

Location

Bled Rose Hotel, Cesta svobode 8, 4260 Bled 

Organizer

• SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency
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Partners

• Start:up Slovenia initiative
• Ministry of Economy, Tourism and Sports

Program sofinancirata Republika Slovenija in Evropska unija, in sicer iz Evropskega sklada NextGenerationEU. Aktivnost se izvaja v okviru ukrepa C3.K8.RA »Delovanje in upravljanje RRI sistema« v okviru Načrta za okrevanje in odpornost.

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