NEXT. Business and Development Event – Development. Technologies. Opportunities.
Thursday, 22 October 2026 -
15:30
Monday, 19 October 2026
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
Wednesday, 21 October 2026
Thursday, 22 October 2026
15:30
Event preparation: Registration and informal introductions
Registration and informal introductions
15:30 - 17:00
17:00
Welcome remarks
Welcome remarks
17:00 - 17:10
17:10
What’s Coming Next? Current and Upcoming Funding Opportunities for Development
What’s Coming Next? Current and Upcoming Funding Opportunities for Development
17:10 - 17:25
Presentation of current and upcoming calls and funding instruments for companies – RRI, STEP, EUREKA, artificial intelligence, and other development opportunities. **Brigita Habjan Štolfa, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia – Northern Primorska Regional Chamber**
17:25
How to Engage with European Innovation Networks?
How to Engage with European Innovation Networks?
17:25 - 17:35
How can companies and research organisations access European partnerships, development support, and funding opportunities through the EIT communities? **Urška Križnar Ribnikar, EIT Community Hub in Slovenia**
17:35
AI and Funding Calls: From Finding Opportunities to Preparing an Application
AI and Funding Calls: From Finding Opportunities to Preparing an Application
17:35 - 17:50
Presentation of a new AI tool for monitoring funding calls and supporting the preparation of project applications. **Marko Penko, WisePulse d.o.o.**
17:50
From a Development Idea to a STEP Application – First-Hand Company Experience
From a Development Idea to a STEP Application – First-Hand Company Experience
17:50 - 18:10
A one-to-one conversation with a representative of ORKOPLAST d.o.o., a company that applied to the STEP East call. **Anton Zupančič, Orkoplast d.o.o. · Tajda Marinič, Alias Plus d.o.o.**
18:10
Keynote Speaker - Uroš Rosa
Keynote Speaker - Uroš Rosa
18:10 - 18:35
Former CEO of Akrapovič, now an advisor, director, and co-founder of OneQlue, a company developing artificial intelligence solutions for industry.
18:35
Round Table: We Have the Technology. Can We Turn It into Business?
Round Table: We Have the Technology. Can We Turn It into Business?
18:35 - 19:20
A discussion with representatives from industry, companies, the innovation and development ecosystem, and institutions on development challenges, opportunities, and the competitiveness of Slovenian companies. **Moderator: Goran Novković** **Participants: Brigita Habjan Štolfa, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia – Northern Primorska Regional Chamber · Anton Zupančič, Orkoplast d.o.o. · Elvis Janežič, Instrumentation Technologies d.o.o. · Prof. Dr. Boštjan Golob, University of Nova Gorica**
19:20
Collaboration Session: Networking and Collaboration Session
Networking and Collaboration Session
19:20 - 22:50