The final event of the Slovenian start:up of the year selection in 2020, which was performed in a hybrid version due to the situation this year was live-streamed via the Start:up Slovenia Facebook page. It brought a new recipient of the crystal statue - the InstaText team, Slovenian start:up hope of 2020!

The team that creates the InstaText online platform, which generates immediate recommendations and ideas on how to improve the content of the text, how to make it more readable and understandable based on artificial intelligence, convinced the evaluation committee in the final the most. Other Finalists were Evegreen, 100% bio-degradable and nature-friendly materials based on organic waste. Influee, which develops a platform where companies can find content creators and influencers for their audiences in one place. Grid instruments, which develops the Gridscope system, which enables electricity distribution companies to know the network well and consequently thoughtful planning to expand and strengthen their infrastructure. Mouzen, which developed an ergonomic device that optimizes the position of the arm while working behind a computer, thereby reducing tension in the wrists and shoulders.

"Grammarly on steroids with over 3.000 active users"

InstaText is an online platform that, based on artificial intelligence, creates immediate recommendations and ideas on how to improve the content of the text, make it more readable and understandable. Unlike Grammarly, which focuses on grammatical corrections, InstaText enriches texts by offering the writer suggestions for improved vocabulary and more appropriate word use, as well as correcting grammatical errors. If necessary, it transforms the entire sentence and places it in the context. In the first three months alone, since the team launched the solution on the market, it has sold more than €30.000 in licenses to employees in academic circles. They currently have more than 3.000 active users. The team consists of top experts in artificial intelligence, language technologies, and natural language processing as well as software development.

The team consists of top experts in artificial intelligence, language technologies, and natural language processing as well as software development.

See what dr. Matej Guid, Ph.D. co-founder of InstaText said after being announced as the winner.

A reputable commission chose the winner

The evaluation committee of this year's Slovenian Start-up of the year Award consisted of prominent Slovenian entrepreneurs, mentors, investors and members of support institutions, who are actively developing the Slovene startup ecosystem. These were a successful entrepreneur and distinguished professor at Stanford Jure Leskovec, co-founder of several global technology companies Tomaž Štolfa, co-founder of Hooray Heroes Mic Melanšek, investor, entrepreneur, researcher and Professor Aleš Pustovrh and director of the Slovene Enterprise Fund Maja Tomanič Vidovič, who said the following about the digital implementation:

"There are no obstacles, only challenges that need to be overcome with smart decisions, hard work, enthusiasm and that is also the motto of the startup of the year award."

The commission evaluated the candidates according to four criteria, namely successful confirmation of the product value on the market, acquisition of investments by domestic or foreign investors, team competencies, dedication, experience and organization and potential for rapid growth in foreign markets. In the end, the committee summed up its idea of what represents the Slovenian start-up of the year as follows. "This is a company that has long-term ambitions, has the potential for global growth, has an irresistible competitive advantage in its niche, stands firmly on its feet and last but not least, is part of the community from which it first draws and then, on the path of success, also returns."

A project of active stakeholders of the Slovenian startup ecosystem

The Slovenian Start-up of the Year Award is a project of active stakeholders of the Slovenian startup ecosystem. Their task is to participate in the nomination of candidates for the award and the domestic and international promotion of the finalists and the recipient of the title. The main organizer of the project is Start: up Slovenia, and the co-organizers and co-financiers are the Slovene Enterprise Fund, the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology and the European Regional Development Fund.

At the end of the event, Aleš Cantarutti, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology, congratulated the organizers and finalists of the Slovenian Start: Up of the Year award and emphasized the importance of creativity and innovation in the current situation.

You can watch the whole event HERE.

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More information

Mitja Sagaj

Head of Communications Start:up Slovenia & Podim

E: mitja.sagaj@startup.si

M: +386 40 228 535

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Urban Lapajne

Program Director

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