Join the official Slovenian startup delegation at ViennaUP
Between 18 and 20 May 2026, Slovenian startups and scale-up companies will be able to visit one of the largest European innovation festivals, ViennaUP . The public agency SPIRIT Slovenia, in cooperation with the domestic ecosystem and Advanta Austria, is organizing an official delegation that will open the door for domestic companies to international investors and business partners.
The ViennaUP festival goes beyond the classic conference format, taking place at multiple locations throughout Vienna and offering over fifty specialized events. This year, Slovenia will also be participating in the event in an organized manner for the first time. The program is designed with maximizing business results and networking in mind.
Structured three-day program
The delegation will begin its journey on Monday, May 18, with a bus departure from Ljubljana. The route includes a strategic stop in Graz to visit the local technology hubs (Unicorn Startup & Innovation Hub and Science Park Graz), and the day will end with the official opening of the festival at the Vienna City Hall.
The centerpiece of the visit is Tuesday's Connect Day event at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce. This is strongly focused on connecting startups with investors and corporations. It includes B2B meetings and international pitching in the areas of FrontierTech & AI, GreenTech & Manufacturing, MedTech & LifeScience, and UrbanTech and Mobility. On Wednesday, May 20, the event will be followed by participation in the CEE Innovation Forum, where SPIRIT Slovenia is participating as a national partner. Selected companies will have the opportunity to perform on the main stage and have individual meetings with investors.
What does business support include?
The three-day visit offers an exceptional opportunity for relationship building, as the delegation will also be accompanied by Slovenian investors and key players in the domestic ecosystem. SPIRIT Slovenia Agency covers and enables selected companies to:
- Organized bus transport between Ljubljana, Graz, Vienna and back.
- Accreditations for Connect Day and CEE Innovation Forum events.
- A mandatory professional preparatory seminar before departure, where companies will hone their presentations and prepare for investor expectations.
- Organization of presentations and individual meetings with investors, as well as comprehensive coordination in the field.
Note: Participants organize and cover their own accommodation. Reservations are guaranteed at the Motel One Wien-Hauptbahnhof hotel at a fixed price of EUR 130.90 per night with breakfast, with companies being able to claim funds from the Slovenian Enterprise Fund vouchers.
Conditions and application process
The call is open to Slovenian startups and scale-up companies that are younger than six years old, are developing their own technological solution, operate in one of the thematic areas of the Connect Day event, and are ready to enter the international market.
Conditions and application process
The call is open to Slovenian startups and scale-up companies that are younger than six years old, are developing their own technological solution, operate in one of the thematic areas of the Connect Day event, and are ready to enter the international market.
Public call
Interested companies must submit an application with an English presentation (pitch deck) no later than Tuesday, March 24, 2026 , at 11:59 PM at the following link: forms.office.com/e/LTFQAVB5BS .
The number of places is limited and will be filled in the order of complete applications received.
Additional information is available from Aleš Ogorevc, e-mail address: ales.ogorevc@spiritslovenia.si .
The delegation is being created as part of SPIRIT Slovenia activities, supported by the Ministry of the Economy, Tourism and Sports.
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