Current business events and calls for proposals – January 2026

Entrepreneurship

23. 1. 27. 1. 29. 1. 10. 2. 13. 2. 2026

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Overview of opportunities for entrepreneurs in the Carinthia region and beyond

Some interesting business events, networking meetings, and calls for business support will also take place in Slovenia and the region in January 2026. We have collected them in one place to give you a clearer insight into current opportunities for participation, networking, and obtaining financial resources.

Other business EVENTS and other interesting INFORMATION – January 2026

SPIRIT Day Slovenia

Subject: SPIRIT Slovenia Day will present the key achievements of SPIRIT Slovenia in 2025 and plans and opportunities for supporting companies in 2026. The event combines inspiration, professional content and experiences of entrepreneurs participating in the agency's programs. Participants will learn about plans for 2026, entrepreneurial stories about startup growth and entering foreign markets, information about programs and calls at information points, and have the opportunity to network. Registration is required by 15. 1. 2026; online streaming will also be possible.

Deadline: January 23, 2026, at 9:15 a.m

Location: Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons Congress Center
Organizer: SPIRIT Slovenia
More info and registration: https://www.spiritslovenia.si/dogodek/524

Entrepreneurial Breakfast 2026 - (Non)grants in 2026: key opportunities for companies

Subject: The year 2026 brings new opportunities for (co)financing of companies at the national and EU level - especially for R&D projects, internationalization, digitalization, sustainable breakthroughs and energy efficiency. At the online business breakfast you will learn which calls are promising, how to successfully participate in EU projects, what opportunities there are in Croatia and how to choose the right projects for growth. The program includes presentations of ARIS, EU programs, practical experiences, calls in SI/HR and key steps for a winning application and the sustainability aspect.

Date: February 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m

Location: Online event
Organizer: TikoPRO
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/4c3r2sp9

FutureTech H2R Brunch – hydrogen technologies and humanoid robots

Subject: FutureTech H2R Brunch is a visionary event of SPIRIT Slovenia (supported by MGTŠ), dedicated to humanoid robotics, artificial intelligence and hydrogen energy solutions for the green transition. The program includes registration, introductory speeches by Matevž Frangež and Tamara Zajec Balažič, and the premiere presentation of the humanoid robot Walker S2 and its industrial applications. This is followed by two round tables: Panel 1 on hydrogen and Panel 2 on robotics, discussion, conclusion and business networking. The event encourages curiosity, dialogue and networking.

Date: February 13, 2026 between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m

Location: Radisson Blu Hotel Ljubljana, BTC business zone, Bratislavska cesta 8, 1000 Ljubljana
Organizer: Spirit
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/367fwc9j

Family Business Conference: “The Next Chapter: Building Resilient Family Businesses”

Subject: The Family Business Conference “The Next Chapter: Building Resilient Family Businesses” highlights that family businesses are the foundation of the regional economy, and their long-term success requires bold and strategic decisions at the right moments. The event is intended for owners, next-generation leaders and CEOs who want to proactively approach growth, leadership and transfer of ownership. The program covers strategic growth, professionalization of management and generational transfer. The conference partner is SPIRIT Slovenia.

Date: January 29, 2026, at 9:00 a.m

Location: IEDC, Prešernova cesta 33, Bled
Organizer: IEDC Bled School of Management and Spirit
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/bdd7yzvh

Introducing AI processes into the company

Subject: The workshop shows how companies can practically use artificial intelligence and automation today to increase efficiency - from processes and internal communication to marketing, sales and data management. It presents real-world use cases, the possibilities of simplifying repetitive tasks and automation without large investments or complex systems in an understandable way. In the practical part, participants identify "low-hanging fruit", set priorities and prepare a feasible 6-12-month implementation plan. The workshop is held in collaboration with the digital agency Red Orbit.

Date: January 27, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Location: KIKštarter Center Cooperative, Fužine 134, 1241 Kamnik
Organizer: KIKstarter
More info and registration: https://tinyurl.com/z5s3ksm7

Business CALL FOR CALL – January 2026

Public call for support for young entrepreneurs (JPMŽ 2025-2029) – currently closed! – Expected to reopen in January 2026

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: January 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

Popri - Application for the Youth Entrepreneurial Ideas Competition

Subject: POPRI is a national competition for the best entrepreneurial idea of young people (12-29 years old) with separate categories for primary school students (7th-9th grade), high school students, students and young people up to 29. Competitors submit a written business model, then upgrade their idea with free mentoring, workshops and public speaking (pitch) training. Success also brings points for the Zois scholarship, cash prizes and opportunities for international performances.

Application deadline: February 12, 2026, 12:00 noon
Tenderer: Primorski tehnologijski park doo in cooperation with MGTŠ
More info and registration: https://popri.si/
Contact: info@primorski-tp.si

Public call for proposals to promote partnerships for entry into foreign markets 2025-2028 (JR Partnerships 25-28) – 2nd deadline for applications!

Subject: The public call is intended to co-finance SME partnerships to strengthen international competitiveness, introduce products/services on foreign markets and increase cooperation with foreign partners. The partnerships carry out coordinated activities: entering new markets, searching for local agents, developing and presenting a joint offer, training and mentoring for export, marketing campaigns, appearances at international fairs and events and establishing new business connections. The beneficiaries are partnerships of 3-5 Slovenian SMEs.

Application deadline: from April 28, 2026 to July 15, 2026 (2nd application deadline)
Tenderer: SPIRIT Slovenia
More info and registration: www.spiritslovenia.si
Contact: partnership25do28@spiritslovenia.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 tender - Financial product BIZI OPO Tourism (SRSS)

Subject: BIZI OPO Tourism provides grants and development loans for investments in private tourist accommodation in border problem areas (OPO). Investors are companies, sole proprietors and cooperatives registered before 1 January 2022. The loan amounts to €100,000–3,000,000, interest is fixed at 0.99–2.07% or 6M EURIBOR + 0.43–1.22%. SRRS co-finances up to 50% of the costs (de minimis). Repayment period 60–180 months, moratorium up to 6 months. The project must achieve sustainable or development goals.

Application deadline: January 31, 2026, 4:00 p.m. (deadline!!), or until funds are used up
Promoter: Slovenian Regional Development Fund (SRRF)
More info and registration: https://www.srrs.si/javni-razpisi/bizi-opo-turizem/
Contact: info@srrs.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