Through the last ten years, the Slovak startup ecosystem has developed significantly. The 2020 CIVITTA Report puts five emerging innovation communities at the forefront of wider discussion: healthcare, climate resilience, financial technology, digital and creative technologies, and mobility on which Slovak startup community focuses the most. That’s why, according to the report, Slovakia may become the innovation capital of CEE in the future.
We have chosen the best accelerators that support this vision - let’s explore them!
Uplift
One of the best Slovak startup accelerators, Uplift focuses on later-stage startups, who already have an MVP and tractions such as first customers or subscribers. What’s interesting, there are no participation fee thanks to the involvement of the program’s partners such as the Slovak-American Foundation or Visegrad Fund. The acceleration process itself lasts for 4 months filled with workshops, networking sessions, 1:1 mentoring, and dedicated business coaching. The culmination of the program is the Demo Day where participants pitch their ideas in front of leading CEE investors. The best teams win 10 000 euro prize and there is a special arrangement for startups from the Blockchain track offered by NKB investment partner which includes additional business support and expertise for 3% of equity.
Inkubator TUKE
Business acceleration, technology transfer, and innovation are the words that perfectly describe TUKE Incubator and Startup Centre TUKE - the key part of University Science Park Technicom. It focuses on innovation ideas from the Kosice region. The application process for this incubation program is open all year long and every 6 months selected teams have a chance to develop their ideas. If your startup is, as for now, just an innovative idea then go straight to Startup Centre TUKE that will prepare your business for further development. However, if you already have a legal entity then join TUKE Incubator space. No matter what path you choose, your startup will get full support, mentoring, and possibilities of cooperation with research and development teams from the University Center for Innovation, Technology Transfer, and Intellectual Property Protection.
VP UK Incubator
Founded at the very beginning of the year 2017, VP UK Incubator is a part of the Comenius University of Science Park in Bratislava. The purpose of VP UK Incubator is promoting innovative ideas, establishment and development of startups and spin-off companies at both regional and international levels. Its main focuses are biomedical, biotechnology, environmental medicine, bioinformatics, and other related ecological innovations. The VP UK Incubator offers training programs, mentoring, coaching, consulting, and other activities for young entrepreneurs at various levels of advancement.
Stu University Technology Incubator InQb
InQb offers long-term support for startups at the beginning of their business journey, in the form of the 2-year (sic!) incubation program during which their team provides educational lectures, top-notch mentoring, connections with investors and VC funds, psychological support and promotion on InQb social media. Due to the fact that in order to participate in the program you must have the basics of business knowledge and a well-established project, only teams that successfully complete a 3-month business preparation course can be admitted to InQb. To join there you need to be at least 18 years-old student and, since all the workshops and educational materials are in Slovak, speak the Slovak language fluently.
Launcher
Launcher is a startup studio in Central Europe that helps with seed & early-stage investments and startup development. Its team consists of investors, entrepreneurs and specialists from various fields, from technical to business ones - thanks to that they are able to combine startup principles with real-world experience. The studio focuses mainly on IT, mobile and digital industries, preferably, in SaaS or B2B models providing internal resources, know-how, help with boz model setup, team formation and expansion in those fields. It’s a perfect solution for both entrepreneurs who have a great idea or simply want to join already existing, fast-growing projects.
Univerzitny Vedecky Park Incubator
For young scientists, PhD students or students with creative potential who need initial support in starting their business, we recommend joining Univerzitny Vedecky Park Incubator. It offers advice on setting up a company, assistance in developing business plans, partner research, legal tips, accounting and tax consultancy, marketing workshops, access to investors’ network, and support in obtaining funding sources.
What’s more, if your University thesis has extreme potential to become a successful business, the incubator team will help you with the preparation of marketing letters that briefly and concisely describe your technology, branding, marketing planning and event management
Challenger
Founded in Bratislava, Challenger is a non-equity startup accelerator that every year organises acceleration programs in various parts of Europe. Every batch focuses on different verticals and helps innovators in all sorts of fields. Among others, we can distinguish Challenger Diverse course which supports teams with at least one female founder by offering a 3-month equity-free program filled with 30+ mentors and 500+ hours of consultations. In addition to enforcing women in the business field, Challenger organises programs devoted to supporting green initiatives as well as AI solutions.
Want to discover more accelerators and incubators from other countries? Check out the list below.
Top Accelerators and Incubators from:
- Round-up Of The Best Accelerators In The CEE Region
- Albania
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- France
- Finland
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Western Balkans.
Related Posts:
Best Startup Accelerators and Incubators In Romania (by Dorota Potępa, Community Builder, Vestbee)
Best Startup Accelerators and Incubators In Hungary (by Dorota Potępa, Community Builder, Vestbee)
Best Startup Accelerators and Incubators In Czech Republic (by Konrad Koncerewicz, VC Community Builder, Vestbee)
