EIT Community RIS Hub in Slovenia
Accelerating Innovation in Slovenia
Slovenia’s innovation ecosystem is rapidly advancing, playing a crucial role in bolstering economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. As a dynamic participant in the European innovation network, Slovenia has made significant strides in supporting startups and fostering cutting-edge research. However, to fully unlock its potential, the country must continue expanding access to international markets and resources for its innovators. Strengthening the local ecosystem enables the development of new ideas, products, and services, enhancing the global competitiveness of Slovenian businesses. By investing in local talents and encouraging collaborative projects, Slovenia is well-positioned to attract foreign investments, fueling a virtuous cycle of economic growth.
Moreover, a robust innovation environment fosters a culture of continuous learning, adaptability, and resilience within the workforce, preparing it to tackle future challenges. This not only enhances the nation’s technological capabilities but also ensures Slovenia can swiftly adapt to evolving market demands. An active innovation community also provides a platform for addressing local challenges through innovative solutions, contributing to an improved quality of life for Slovenian citizens. Ultimately, cultivating this ecosystem is essential for Slovenia’s socio-economic advancement, solidifying its position as a forward-thinking player in the global innovation arena.
About the EIT Community RIS Hub
The EIT Community RIS Hub Slovenia, based at the Ljubljana University Incubator (LUI), plays a vital role in advancing Slovenia’s innovation landscape and bridging the gap between local and pan-European innovation networks. This hub is dedicated to unlocking the potential of Slovenia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting startups, fostering collaborations, and addressing specific challenges within the region. By connecting Slovenian innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs with the wider EIT community, the hub cultivates sustainable growth through tailored activities that empower local talent and stimulate economic advancement.
One of the primary objectives of the EIT Community RIS Hub Slovenia is to increase the visibility of the EIT across the country, ensuring that its resources and opportunities are accessible to a broad audience. By facilitating local engagement in EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities, the hub strengthens Slovenia’s integration into the European innovation ecosystem. This collaborative effort supports Slovenia’s innovators and entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools and networks needed to innovate, grow, and compete internationally. Through its activities, the EIT Community RIS Hub Slovenia is building a robust foundation for sustainable innovation, contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development and reinforcing its position in the European innovation landscape.
“Becoming the ECO EIT Community Officer crowns the long string of our achievements as the waypoint for innovators in Slovenia. It will build upon the great work that was done by the whole Slovenian EIT community and especially by the NCP. The hub will provide us with crucial on-the-ground contact for implementing new programs and driving further innovation.”
JAKOB GAJŠEK, EIT COMMUNITY OFFICER SLOVENIA
EIT Funding & Impact
Slovenia received a total of EUR 6.86 million in EIT grants in 2022.* This amount is EUR 1 million higher than the funding received in 2021 and it was directed to Slovenian organisations via seven EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities in 2022. The largest share (EUR 5.06 million) was dedicated to business-related activities. The funding includes EUR 4.61 million to support Slovenian SMEs, mainly under EIT InnoEnergy.
In 2021-22, the EIT provided substantial support to the Slovenian innovation ecosystem. A total of 45 Slovenian startups benefited from EIT assistance, including targeted support for five women entrepreneurs. EIT-backed ventures in Slovenia attracted EUR 3.83 million in investment, and 17 innovations supported by the EIT were successfully launched on the market. Additionally, three Slovenian residents graduated from EIT-labelled MSc or PhD programs, with a gender distribution of two men and one woman. Beyond formal education, around 2,840 Slovenian participants engaged in EIT’s non-labelled educational and training initiatives, enhancing their skills and knowledge.
About the EIT Community Officer
Jakob Gajšek
EIT Community Officer Slovenia
Jakob Gajšek is a dynamic leader in the Slovenian innovation landscape, serving as the general manager of the Ljubljana University Incubator (LUI) since 2018. With a deep commitment to fostering entrepreneurship, he has positioned LUI as a central hub for both national and international innovation initiatives. Under his guidance, LUI has become a representative for the EIT Health RIS Hub in Slovenia, scouting and supporting numerous healthcare startups and creating impactful consortia that have led to the highest number of successful EIT Health RIS Innovation Call applications among RIS countries.
Jakob’s contributions extend beyond healthcare; he is actively involved in projects like EIT Raw Materials, EIT Jumpstarter, and EIT Urban Mobility, supporting business capacity building, startup acceleration, and sustainable mobility solutions. He is also a founding partner of the DeepTech Alliance and a co-founder of the ABC Accelerator and the RUJ VC fund, bringing extensive experience in dealmaking, mentoring, and investment within the deep tech and startup sectors. With a unique blend of skills and a track record of impact, Jakob continues to drive Slovenia’s integration into the broader European innovation ecosystem through his role as an EIT Community Officer.
Contact Details
- Email: slovenia@eitcommunity.eu
- Phone: +386 (0) 1 620 34 80
- Address: LUI, Vojkova cesta 63, 1000 LJUBLJANA
- LinkedIn: EIT Community RIS Slovenia
Upcoming Opportunities
Stay updated with the latest opportunities related to Slovenia's innovation ecosystem and the activities of the EIT Community RIS Hub.
