Current business events and calls for proposals – February 2026

Entrepreneurship

24.–26. 2. 3. 3. 7. 3. 2026

Overview of opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Carinthia region and beyond

Interesting business events, networking meetings, and calls for business support will also be taking place in Slovenia and the region in the short month of February 2026. We have collected them here, in one place, so that you have a clearer insight into current opportunities for participation, networking, and obtaining financial resources.

Business EVENTS and other interesting INFORMATION – February 2026

Visit of a business delegation from Montenegro - Slovenian-Montenegrin Business Forum

Subject: The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia will organize the Slovenian-Montenegrin Business Forum on 26 February 2026 in Ljubljana, during the visit of a business delegation from Montenegro, together with SPIRIT Slovenia, the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro and the Enterprise Europe Network. Around 25 representatives of companies and institutions from various sectors are coming to Slovenia, who want to establish or strengthen cooperation with Slovenian partners, mainly through bilateral B2B meetings. Participation is an opportunity for direct business discussions.

Date: February 26, 2026, at 9:30 a.m

Location: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ljubljana, Hall A (1st floor)
Organizer: SPIRIT Slovenia
More info and registration: https://rra-koroska.si/aktualno/dogodki/obisk-gospodarske-delegacije-iz-crne-gore-slovensko-crnogorski-poslovni-forum?s=invest

BUSINESS BRUNCH: From climate challenges to the competitive future of the Alpine region

Subject: The SPIRIT Slovenia Public Agency and Advantage Austria invite you to a business brunch in Kranjska Gora on the occasion of the Vitranc World Cup on March 7, 2026. The event will focus on finding solutions to climate challenges through green transformation, innovative energy and digital technologies, and on strengthening business connections between Slovenian and Austrian entrepreneurs from the fields of economy, tourism and sports.

Date: March 7, 2026, between 8:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Location: At a selected hotel in Kranjska Gora
Organizer: SPIRIT Slovenia + Advantage Austria
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/yharjepd

When the ATM says NO - sources of financing for entrepreneurial ventures

Subject: The workshop “When the ATM Says NO – Sources of Financing for Entrepreneurial Ventures” offers entrepreneurs practical information on how to obtain funds to start, grow or expand their business. Participants will learn about various financing options – from the three Fs and crowdfunding to business angels, venture capital funds, tenders and grants – as well as their advantages, disadvantages and the most common mistakes when applying. The workshop is intended for both new and experienced entrepreneurs looking for alternative sources of financing.

Date: February 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m

Location: ZRS Bistra Ptuj (meeting room, 1st floor), Slovenski trg 8, Ptuj
Organizer: SPIRIT Slovenia
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/2b27yz3u

Online workshop “Digital tools”

Subject: In the online workshop "Digital Tools" , participants will learn how to set up a website or online store using a simple digital tool, which also includes a free domain, hosting and e-mail marketing. They will learn what the differences are between a presentation website and an online store, how to work with the user interface, connect a domain and online payments and use e-mail tools. The workshop will be designed in a practical way and is intended for anyone who wants to improve their online presence and digital skills.

Date: February 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Location: Online workshop
Organizer: Styrian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
More info and registration: https://www.stajerskagz.si/dogodek/spletna-delavnica-digitalna-orodja/

Workshop: How to say NO without feeling guilty and ruining relationships

Subject: At the workshop "How to say NO - without feeling guilty and ruining relationships" , participants will learn why it is often difficult to say "no" and how to set clear, respectful boundaries in communication without bad feelings. They will learn proven techniques and approaches for effectively expressing "no" and, in the interactive part, learn how to avoid the most common mistakes when setting boundaries. The workshop is practical and useful, suitable for everyday situations at work and in personal life.

Date: March 3, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location: Koroška Chamber of Commerce, Koroška Road 47, Dravograd
Organizer: Koroška Chamber of Commerce and Industry
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/5yzs9ana

Business CALL FOR CALL – February 2026

P2 2026 | Incentives for starting innovative companies in 2026

Subject: The call is a financial incentive for micro and small enterprises with innovative ideas at an early stage, developing new products, services or processes with high added value, and offers them up to €72,000 in grants, paid in three tranches upon reaching development milestones, and 100% co-financing of eligible costs. The purpose of the call is to accelerate the start-up, development and market breakthrough of innovative enterprises, especially those that operate in line with Slovenia's sustainable and strategic priorities (S5), and to improve their competitiveness and survival on the market.

Application deadline: March 12, 2026 until 2:00 p.m.
Tenderer: Slovenian Enterprise Fund
More info and registration: www.podjetniskisklad.si
Contact: (02) 234 12 72, razpisi@podjetniskisklad.si

P2R 2026 | Incentives for starting businesses in border problem areas in 2026

Subject: Call for proposals that provide micro and small enterprises based in border problem areas with a subsidy of up to €30,000 for business start-up, product/service development, commercialization and job creation . The purpose of the call for proposals is to promote the establishment and growth of enterprises, reduce the risk of their failure in the initial stages and strengthen competitiveness, while reducing the development gap in border areas.

Application deadline: March 9, 2026 until 2:00 p.m.
Tenderer: Slovenian Enterprise Fund
More info and registration: www.podjetniskisklad.si
Contact: (02) 234 12 72, razpisi@podjetniskisklad.si

Public call for support for young entrepreneurs (JPMŽ 2025-2029) – currently closed! – Reopened from Monday 16. 3. 2026, from 12.00

Subject: The SPIRIT Agency informs that the reception of applications for the Public Call for Support for Young Entrepreneurs 2025-2029 is temporarily suspended as of November 3, 2025.
The possibility of submitting applications to this public call will be released again, expected in January 2026. The SPIRIT agency will publish information on their website in advance about the exact date of re-establishment of the possibility of submitting applications, and we will inform you about this in a timely manner.

Application deadline: February 2026 – applications expected to reopen
Tenderer: SPIRIT Slovenia
More info and registration: https://www.spiritslovenia.si/razpis/450 ; Questions and answers (PDF)
Contact: jpmz@spiritslovenia.si

Public call V1 - Voucher for participation in economic delegations abroad

Subject: The voucher is intended to encourage micro, small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in outbound economic delegations abroad, with the aim of connecting with partners, finding new business opportunities, increasing visibility and gaining experience in foreign markets. It provides 60% co-financing of registration fees, transport and accommodation costs, in the amount of EUR 300 to EUR 2,000.

Application deadline: March 31, 2028!!!
Tenderer: Slovenian Enterprise Fund
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/4mff3khh
Contact: vavcer@podjetniskisklad.si

Call for applications for the WIPO Global Awards 2026 for SMEs and Startups is open

Subject: The WIPO Awards are intended for companies that strategically use intellectual property for business growth and sustainable impact. Slovenian companies are also among the awardees and finalists. Startups and small and medium-sized enterprises with innovative solutions, protected intellectual property and market presence are eligible to apply. In 2026, WIPO will award 11 awards and offer the winners mentorship, global visibility and international connections.

Application deadline: March 31, 2026
Tenderer: World Intellectual Property Organization - WIPO
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/4znp5wdy
Contact: global.awards@wipo.int

The best innovations in the Carinthia region - call for applications

Subject: The GZS Innovation Call has been rewarding the best innovations in Slovenia for 30 years and represents the highest national recognition in this field. The submitted innovations are first presented to regional expert juries, who award awards, and the best ones are ranked at the national level. The common thread of the call emphasizes the role of innovations in ensuring a safe, resilient and stable future.

Application deadline: April 3, 2026
Tenderer: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia
More info and registration: www.gzs.si
Contact: katja.pokerznik@gzs.si or maja.kricej@gzs.si

Public tender for co-financing initial investments and creating new jobs in border problem areas in 2026

Subject: The public call for proposals for 2026 co-finances initial investments and the creation of new jobs in border problem areas (BPA). The aim is to maintain and promote economic activity and employment with appropriate working conditions and competitive incomes. Investments in tangible and intangible assets (e.g. machinery, equipment, patents, construction works, buildings, land) for a new unit, expansion, diversification or significant change of the process and the purchase of assets of a failed unit are supported. Companies, limited liability companies, cooperatives and social enterprises (registered for at least 18 months) are eligible to apply. EUR 3.5 million is available; VAT is not eligible.

Application deadline: February 27, 2026, midnight.
Tenderer: Ministry of Cohesion and Regional Development
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/55m2dvr7
Contact: gp.mkrr@gov.si

Public call for proposals STEP – Incentives for the development and production of strategic technologies for Europe

Subject: The JR STEP public call for proposals has been published with a total value of EUR 60 million, co-financed by the ERDF under the cohesion policy 2021-2027. It is intended for projects implemented exclusively in the cohesion region of East Slovenia; a call for proposals for West Slovenia is expected in 2026. It supports companies (individually or in a consortium of up to 5 partners) and public research organisations in the fields of digital technologies, clean technologies and biotechnology. Projects may include R&D, infrastructure or production modules and last up to 36 months, no later than 31 May 2029.

Application deadline: April 15, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Call for proposals: ARIS – Public Agency for Scientific Research and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/327vknhf
Contact: jr.step@aris-rs.si

Invitation to subsidize the employment of the unemployed in large companies

Subject: The public invitation of the Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia is intended for large companies (with at least 250 employees) for subsidized employment of unemployed people from the target group. The service proposes candidates to the employer, and the employment must last at least 12 months for full or part-time work (or 24 months for the long-term unemployed or members of the Roma community). The employer submits an offer and, after selection, concludes a contract. The subsidy amounts to 700–740 EUR per month, and the goal is around 230 jobs; the invitation is open until the funds are used up, and the funds are allocated as state aid.

Application deadline: from October 24, 2025 until funds are used up, no later than February 28, 2026!!
Advertiser: Employment Service of the Republic of Slovenia
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/469x9upz
Contact: martina.stanonik@ess.gov.si