The Startup Weekend took place on 26 and 27 September, transforming Tovarna podjemov (Venture Factory) into a hub of creativity, entrepreneurial spirit, and new opportunities. More than 25 participants engaged in an intensive two-day journey, turning their ideas into practical solutions with potential for the market. The event reinforced that ideas drive the future, and Slovenia has no shortage of them.

During the weekend, multidisciplinary teams—comprising experts in programming, design, marketing, and entrepreneurship—developed concepts, tested them, built initial prototypes, and explored market opportunities. The fast-paced environment challenged participants to combine creativity, knowledge, and courage. One participant reflected, “Everything happened so fast that there was hardly time to doubt. We just worked, tested, and adjusted. That gave me the feeling that more is possible than you initially think.” Experienced mentors, including Matej Rus, Urban Lapajne, and Sašo Djoković, provided guidance that helped teams refine their ideas and add real entrepreneurial value.

The event’s highlight was the team pitches, where participants presented their ideas in a few minutes and responded to questions from the jury. Each team offered a unique solution, from everyday problems to niche challenges.

The jury selected three standout ideas: LexFlow, a digital platform for creating and managing legal contracts; Stride, a natural energy drink made from yerba mate and adaptogens; and Worklane, a SaaS platform supporting Europe’s mobile industrial workforce.

TOP 3 ideas

Startup Weekend demonstrated that innovation thrives everywhere when given support and opportunity. For many, it marked the beginning of their journey, with Tovarna podjemov (Venure Factory) offering continued guidance from early-stage ideas to scaleups, including connections with international partners and investors, exemplified through the annual Podim conference.