As curators of the Podim Builders Stage, Silicon Gardens invites you to an unforgettable experience. Together, we’re building an event that connects top VC funds with the most promising startups from across the region.
WHEN? May 12–14, 2025
WHERE? Maribor, Slovenia
Who's coming?
Podim 2025 will host a record number of investors! Confirmed funds include:
Accel | Credo | Kaya | Market One Capital | Inovo | 3VC | 10xFounders | E2VC | Piton Capital | Fiedler Capital | Push VC | BrightCap | PortfoLion | Early Game Ventures | Flyer One Ventures | Singular VC | Eleven Ventures | Launchub | Purple Ventures | Day One Capital | Elevator Ventures | Purpose Tech and many more.
You’ll also meet key regional funds like South Central Ventures, SQ Capital, Vesna, Fil Rouge Capital, FQV, Suricate Ventures, Feelsgood, and others.
Why attend – even if you’re not raising right now?
Podim 2025 is not just for those raising capital – it’s for anyone building, scaling, and connecting. The Builders Stage brings a no-nonsense program where experienced founders and operators share brutally honest stories and practical knowledge on scaling companies.
Format: 20-minute “no-BS” talks + 20-minute Q&A
Tracks: B2C & B2B
B2C Track – for B2C founders and startup enthusiasts
- Marius Iordache, Bible Chat (Top 15 iOS app globally, $14M Series A)
- Ante Odić, Outfit7 (Talking Tom, 24B+ downloads)
- Tom Vodopivec, Bird Buddy (€100M revenue in 2024)
- Andrej Kugonič, Nordeus (Acquired by Take-Two for $378M)
- Igor Čarapina, Rolla app (€6.3M seed, transforming corporate wellness)
- Jasna Krmelj, Gentler Streak (Multiple award-winning Apple fitness app)
- Johannes Berger, Mimo (25M+ users, microlearning for coding)
B2B Track – for those selling to businesses
- Marin Ćurković, All Eyes on Screens (€10M Series B, AI for video ads)
- Marin Ribać, Sportradar (Nasdaq-listed sports data company, $6B valuation)
- Boris Pogačnik, ex-Infobip (unicorn in communications)
- Luka Šlibar, Microblink (Computer vision for ID and payments)
- Timothei Jukić, Native Teams (Payment platform for freelancers in 85+ markets)
- Tomaž Šuklje, Nordoon (Payment platform for freelancers in 85+ markets)
Full speaker list and topics available here.
Main Stage Highlights
- Bernhard Niesner, co-founder & former CEO of Busuu (acquired for €385M)
- Nenad Milanović, CEO of CAKE.com (bootstrapped unicorn from Serbia & USA)
- Damir Sabol, serial entrepreneur – Photomath (300M+ downloads, acquired by Google), Microblink, Iskon
- Franci Zidar, CEO of Bird Buddy (€100M revenue in 2024)
Full Main Stage program available here.
Are you a startup?
Due to high demand, we’re offering the Basic Startup Ticket at the reduced price of the Attendee Ticket: €195. This ticket includes access to the program and networking events.
If you missed the deadline to be featured in the Startup Catalogue – which gives you access to the Pitching Competition, Marketplace showcase, and 1:1 Deal Room meetings – you can still apply and we’ll notify you if a spot opens up.
Are you an innovation manager?
If you lead innovation or development in a larger company and you’re looking for new approaches, partnerships or inspiration – the Builders Stage is a must.
What you gain:
➡️ Firsthand insights from market-validated startups – no sugarcoating, just real stories
➡️ Practical tools for rapid testing, product development, and scaling
➡️ A look into agile startup processes and tools
➡️ Trends shaping the future of B2B & B2C – from AI to next-gen UX
Ideal format for you:
Concise 20-minute “no-BS” talks followed by Q&As with the people building the future.
And of course – it’s a great opportunity to scout startups that could be:
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Partners for pilot projects
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Sources of innovation for your teams
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Strategic collaboration or investment targets
Are you an investor?
Hear from and meet the region’s unicorns and soonicorns as they openly share how they built their products, teams, and growth.
➡️ Direct insight into the mindsets and strategies of the region’s top startups
➡️ A solid filter for discovering the next investment opportunities
➡️ Intimate Q&A sessions give you a chance to connect before anyone else
If you're scouting the region’s future stars – the Builders Stage is a must.
Part of the startup support ecosystem, academia, or simply love great content and great people?
Builders Stage offers:
➡️ Unfiltered experiences from top founders and operators, including failures, pivots, and breakthroughs
➡️ Inspiring insights to take back to your work with young entrepreneurs, students, or innovators
➡️ Space to build new connections, collaborations, research, or new projects
If you’re curious about how ideas become global success stories – this is the place for you.
Are you a student?
If you’re a student interested in startups, tech, entrepreneurship, or innovation, the Builders Stage is one of the best places to:
➡️ Meet the people building the future – from unicorn founders to hands-on operators
➡️ Understand what entrepreneurship really looks like – the wins, the pivots, the failures
➡️ Gain real-world knowledge not found in textbooks
➡️ Maybe even meet a team looking for a co-founder, teammate, or intern – why not you?
If you’re considering the entrepreneurial path or just want to stay ahead – Builders Stage is for you.
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If not – join the vibrant Start:up Slovenia community, the organizers behind Podim, and get 10% off all ticket types.
Whether you’re a startup raising funds, a team member eager to grow, or an ecosystem builder looking to meet the right people – Podim 2025 is the event you don’t want to miss.
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