In 2025, Slovenia once again showcased its entrepreneurial potential, with 101 startups applying to the P2 incentive of the Slovene Enterprise Fund. This initiative provides young companies with €72,000 in non-repayable funds, along with mentorship, education, and investor connections. Of the 16 selected startups, a notable portion came from Eastern Slovenia, highlighting the region’s growing role as a hub of innovation and entrepreneurship.

The selected startups cover diverse fields, from smart stroke recovery therapy to digital platforms transforming construction projects. Their solutions span healthcare, smart living, industrial digitalization, sustainability, and artificial intelligence—sectors that are shaping the future.

Eastern Slovenian startups demonstrate how innovation arises when needs meet knowledge, courage, and vision, creating a strong ecosystem for entrepreneurial talent to thrive.

Success in the P2 incentive requires more than a good idea. Key criteria include innovation, environmental impact, team experience, and the potential for global market reach. Common pitfalls include non-compliance with the Smart Specialization Strategy, legal issues, or incomplete documentation.

Recipients emphasize that P2 provides critical support at the moment when startups most need guidance. Funding is often used to develop prototypes, cover team salaries, and expand marketing efforts, helping startups move from early-stage concepts toward scalable, globally-oriented businesses.

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.