On 22 October, the Štajerska Sivka Estate became the heart of Slovenia’s startup scene. More than 80 participants gathered — from startup founders, investors, and mentors to representatives of incubators, technology parks, accelerators, ministries, and government agencies that together shape the country’s innovation support network.

 

The Startup Ecosystem Teambuilding 2025 was more than just a networking opportunity. Its purpose was to deepen collaboration, encourage knowledge exchange, and strengthen the sense of community — one where entrepreneurs see each other not as competitors, but as partners.

 

“Our ecosystem has incredible potential. But to fully unlock it, we have to act as a team,” emphasized Ana Vele from the Slovene Enterprise Fund, who opened the event by presenting a wide range of programs under the RazvojniPlus brand. “Networking events, vertical accelerators, international programs — they all exist for one purpose: to support Slovenian startups in their growth ambitions.”

 

Event moderator Urban Lapajne from Start:up Slovenia added: “This is a gathering where entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, and support institutions come together for a day — not just to talk, but to truly listen.”

 

 

The day opened with a “Made in Slovenia” session, where Gregor Černelč, co-founder of Daibau (Moj Mojster), shared how persistence, structure, and learning from mistakes helped grow a local startup into one of Europe’s leading construction service platforms.

In “From Boss to Coach,” business mentor Tomaž Stritar outlined how founders must evolve from hands-on doers to vision-driven leaders who inspire through trust, listening, and clear communication.

The investor panel on “Fresh Capital for Tech Startups” brought realism to the room — discipline is back, and investor-readiness means transparency, focus, and strategic thinking about future buyers.

The final session by Kadri Tammai introduced NATO DIANA, a global accelerator supporting dual-use technologies, offering Slovenian startups funding, mentorship, and access to international markets.

 

A community growing together

As the day turned into afternoon, formal discussions gave way to relaxed networking and new collaborations. The air was filled with a sense of connection — the kind that founders, mentors, and investors have been building for over a decade.

 

Teambuilding 2025 was a reminder that progress doesn’t happen in isolation but through collaboration, courage, and openness. Slovenia’s startup ecosystem may still be small in numbers, but in maturity, knowledge, and connection, it’s increasingly acting as one united team — a team that believes it can build something greater, together.

 

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RazvojniPlus

The Slovene Enterprise Fund, through the Razvojni Plus program (DevelopmentPlus Program), provides highly specialized support to innovative startups and SMEs on their path to faster, global, and sustainable growth. Participants gain access to expert consulting, targeted training, study visits, networking, matchmaking, and promotional-educational events. The program strengthens key company competencies, increases competitiveness, and effectively connects businesses with investors, partners, and international markets. It is designed for companies that are current recipients of the P2 incentive, have an active SK or SI-SK contract with the Fund, or are registered in the Slovenian Innovative Startup Registry, as well as other innovative SMEs, including fast-growing scale-ups. The program is implemented by the Slovene Enterprise Fund in collaboration with leading public and private actors in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. It is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund.

 

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The program is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union, specifically from the European Regional Development Fund. It is implemented based on the program ‘Substantive support for faster global and sustainable growth of innovative SMEs (DevelopmentPlus Program)’ within the framework of the Slovenia’s EU Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027.