At S9+, our mission has always been to close Europe’s competitiveness gap by fostering an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive. Today, we are proud to announce that our coalition is growing: Start:up Slovenia has officially joined the S9+ family.
As the central hub of the Slovenian startup ecosystem, Start:up Slovenia brings over 20 years of experience in connecting founders, investors, and policymakers. Their arrival marks a significant step in our efforts to unite Europe’s most digitally advanced regions and create a seamless “Startup Continent.”
A New Powerhouse in the Adriatic Region
Start:up Slovenia isn’t just a platform; it’s an ecosystem builder. Together with the public agency SPIRIT Slovenia, they are currently spearheading a national upgrade of Slovenia’s startup database. This initiative is designed to provide deeper ecosystem insights and better impact tracking – tools that are essential for the evidence-based policymaking we advocate for at S9+.
Under All Eyes on PODIM 2026
The first major milestone of our collaboration takes us to Maribor. From 11–13 May 2026, the city will host PODIM, the most influential startup and tech event in the Alps-Adriatic and Western Balkan regions.
Unlike massive, impersonal tech fairs, PODIM is celebrated for its highly personal approach. The 2026 edition will focus on:
- Curated Matchmaking: Connecting 150+ handpicked startups with more than 150 international investors through the legendary “Deal Room”.
- High-Impact Content: From “Founder Confessions” to deep dives into the AI revolution and deep tech frontiers.
- Exclusive Networking: Including the Silicon Gardens’ Poker Night and the Speakers & Partners Dinner.
As Macedonian entrepreneur Aleksandar Savov recently shared, PODIM is more than an event – it’s a “business accelerator” that validates investor interest and puts partnerships in motion.
Let’s Shape the Future Together
The integration of Start:up Slovenia into our coalition strengthens our voice in the D9+ discussions. By combining Slovenian innovation with our transnational policy reach, we are better equipped to ensure that European regulations foster – rather than stifle – the agility startups need to scale.
Welcome to the coalition, Start:up Slovenia.
For more details on PODIM 2026 and how to get involved, visit www.podim.org or explore the Start:up Slovenia hub.