NEXT. Business and Development Event – Development. Technologies. Opportunities.

Thursday 22 Oct 2026, 15:30 → 23:45 Europe/Ljubljana

Posestvu Guerila v Ajdovščin

We invite you to NEXT. – What Comes Next, taking place on Thursday, 22 October 2026, at Guerila Estate in Ajdovščina. The event will begin at 17:00.

The event is designed to connect the research, development and business communities. It will also explore how new technologies, knowledge and research results can be more effectively transformed into development projects, partnerships and concrete innovations.

 

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about current and upcoming funding opportunities for research and development and ways to engage with European EIT innovation networks. The programme will also cover the use of artificial intelligence in monitoring funding calls and first-hand company experience in preparing development projects.

Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening links between academia and industry. The discussion will also explore how knowledge and technologies can move more successfully from the research environment into practice.

For more information about the individual programme contributions and speakers, please see the Contributions page.

Particular emphasis will be placed on informal networking among all stakeholders across the innovation ecosystem following the round table discussion.  For more information and the full programme, please refer to the Timetable.

 

 

Participation is free of charge, but advance registration is required due to the limited number of places.

👉 Register using the form below and join us in Ajdovščina on 22 October.

 

Organisers:

15:30 → 17:00 Event preparation: Registration and informal introductions

17:00 → 17:10 Welcome remarks

17:10 → 17:25 What’s Coming Next? Current and Upcoming Funding Opportunities for Development

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 → 17:35 How to Engage with European Innovation Networks?

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 → 17:50 AI and Funding Calls: From Finding Opportunities to Preparing an Application

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 → 18:10 From a Development Idea to a STEP Application – First-Hand Company Experience

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 → 18:35 Keynote Speaker - Uroš Rosa

Former CEO of Akrapovič, now an advisor, director, and co-founder of OneQlue, a company developing artificial intelligence solutions for industry.

18:35 → 19:20 Round Table: We Have the Technology. Can We Turn It into Business?

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 → 22:50 Collaboration Session: Networking and Collaboration Session