Shaping the next chapter of the Slovenian startup ecosystem together

Once a year, investors, startups, policymakers, and support organisations come together to take a clear look at where we are today, what we have learned over the past year, and how collaboration can further strengthen the Slovenian startup ecosystem.

WHEN? Thursday, 5 February 2026 at 10:00
WHERE? Kristalna palača, Ameriška ulica 8, 1000 Ljubljana

registration

Why we're getting together

The Forum is a curated gathering of active stakeholders, where we:

• review real investment trends and developments from the past year,

• openly address challenges that remain unresolved,

• and align on concrete, actionable next steps.

We believe venture capital plays a crucial role in building an innovative economy. But real progress happens when investors, founders, the public sector, and the support ecosystem work together in a coordinated and connected way.

Who is it for

The Forum is designed for those who actively shape the Slovenian startup ecosystem or want to take on a more influential role within it:

• venture capital investors, business angels, and family offices,

• startup and scaleup teams preparing for growth,

• investment, and their next development phase,

• policymakers and public-sector practitioners shaping the support framework,

• support organisations working closely with startups on a daily basis.

To enable meaningful discussion and genuine exchange, participation is limited.

Key topics we will address together

At the Slovenian Startup Forum 2026, we will:

• examine how the investment market actually evolved in 2025,

• understand where investors are allocating capital and focus in 2026,

• address why some startups fail to reach investment readiness and how this gap can be closed,

• position Slovenia within the broader European startup and investment landscape,

• develop shared recommendations for the next stage of ecosystem growth,

• and connect with stakeholders we rarely have the chance to engage with in one room.

Agenda

10.00–10.30 | Registration and arrival
 

10.30–10.50 | Welcome and reflection on the past year
Opening remarks by the organisers and a clear framing of the goals of the Slovenian Startup Forum 2026: an overview of the current state of the ecosystem, an honest assessment of achieved and missed objectives of the startup strategy, identification of key challenges, and alignment of expectations among stakeholders on what comes next.

❖ Tamara Zajec Balažič, SPIRIT Slovenia
❖ Matevž Frangež, Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sport

10.50 - 11.10 | The state of the Slovenian startup ecosystem in an international context

A concise analytical overview of the development of the Slovenian startup ecosystem through the lens of ESNA standards, highlighting Slovenia’s recent progress. The session will also offer comparative insights into trends across similar and competing European countries.

❖ Bárbara Cagigal, ESNA

11.10–12.30 | Slovenian investors: insights from 2025 and priorities for 2026

A moderated overview of key milestones, developments, and strategic shifts among Slovenian investors in 2025, prepared in collaboration with fund managers. The session will cover major investments, investment capacity, priority sectors, and investor expectations for 2026. Each investor will also address a focused question from the moderator.

❖ Jure Mikuž, South Central Ventures
❖ Aleš Pustovrh, Fil Rouge Capital
❖ Vuk Lau, Silicon Gardens
❖ Mag. Nina Dremelj, Vesna VC & Business Angels of Slovenia
❖ Tilen Šarlah, Feelsgood Capital
❖ Peter Merc, Suricate Ventures
❖ Jakob Gajšek, Ruj.VC 
❖ Katja Šteblaj, Capital Genetics in Tivoli Partners
❖ Rok Habinc, Pan-Adria Partners
❖ Dr. Igor Milek, EIC Fund - SPIRIT Slovenija (TBC)

❖ Nina Urbanič, Slovene Enterprise Fund
❖ Mag. Samo Lubej, Prosperita Family Office
❖ Borut Čeh, Labena Ventures
❖ Mark Kalin, ABC Accelerator
❖ Uroš Ačko, SID Upravljanje premoženja

Moderator: Urban Lapajne, Start:up Slovenia

12.30 - 13.00 | Break

A short break for refreshments and informal networking.
 

13.00–13.45 | Panel discussion: strengthening the startup investment funnel

A moderated discussion among key stakeholders on challenges within the investment funnel: where bottlenecks emerge, why some startups fail to reach investment readiness, and how to improve both the quality and flow of investment-ready projects. The focus will be on practical, actionable improvements.

❖ Nina Dremelj, Vesna VC & Business Angels of Slovenia
❖ Vuk Lau, Slovenian Association for Startup and Scaleup Companies & Silicon Gardens
❖ Maja Tomanič Vidovič, Slovene Enterprise Fund
❖ Jakob Gajšek, Startup consortium & LUI 
❖ Urša Jerše, Knowledge Transfer Office
Moderator: Urban Lapajne, Start:up Slovenia

13.45–14.30 | Successful startup investments in 2025: lessons learned

An in-depth look at three to four successful investment cases, presented as investor–founder tandems. The session will explore investment rationale, deal processes, collaboration dynamics, and early post-investment impact, with a strong focus on transferable lessons for startups, investors, and ecosystem stakeholders.

❖ Aleš Pustovrh, Fil Rouge Capital & Boštjan Kirm, HyperBUNKER
❖ Jure Mikuž, South Central Ventures & Janko Medja, LeanPay
❖ Vuk Lau, Silicon Gardens & Taja Bečnina, Realtracing
❖ Nina Dremelj, Vesna VC & Tadej Tofant, Tofant

14.30–14.40 | Closing remarks
We will wrap up the day by summarising key insights, highlighting shared conclusions from the discussions, and outlining the most important opportunities ahead for startups, investors, the public sector, and the support ecosystem. The closing will also focus on what we can do better together, where collaboration opportunities lie, and how to maintain momentum in 2026.

❖ Vladimir Milovanović, SPIRIT Slovenia

❖ Urban Lapajne, Start:up Slovenia

14.40–15.30 | Networking lunch
A closing networking lunch dedicated to deeper conversations, new investment and partnership connections, and informal exchange.

The programme is in its final stage and may still be subject to minor changes.
 

Registration

The Forum is designed as an in-depth, content-driven event. Participation is therefore limited to 70 attendees.

All applications will be reviewed and confirmed based on the applicant’s role and relevance within the ecosystem.

Registration

General terms and conditions

All registrations will be reviewed. If you fall within the target audience and demonstrate interest in the event topics, your participation will be confirmed and a ticket sent by email.

To ensure a high-quality discussion, attendance is limited to a maximum of 70 participants.

If your registration is confirmed but you do not attend and fail to cancel at least 24 hours before the event, a fee of EUR 50 will be charged.

The event will be photographed. Photos and personal data provided during registration may be shared with the event commissioner, SPIRIT Slovenia for reporting purposes. Photos may also be used on the websites and social media channels of Start:up Slovenia and SPIRIT Slovenia. By registering, you agree to these terms.

Organizator dogodka

• SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency
   

Partnerji dogodka

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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