Corporate Challenges Meet Ideas in Slovakia
The conference Slovak Industry Vision Day 2026, held on 27 October 2026 in Bratislava, focused on Slovakia’s competitiveness, investment, export growth and the international expansion of innovative companies, alongside opportunities in the space industry.
Twin City Hub project Partner SAPIE-Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy was the Innovation Partner of the conference and had a chance to present the SAPIE Open Innovation Challenge – the AT-SK transfer of the Industry meets Makers corporate-startup matchmaking & co-creation format.
What was the conference about?
- SARIO’s 25th anniversary and strategic direction: The opening programme marked the agency’s anniversary and outlined its vision for supporting innovation and strengthening Slovakia’s business environment.
- Investment and exports: Panels explored attracting investors, developing sustainable supply chains, helping SMEs enter international markets and using government export-support tools.
- Scaling Slovak technology companies: SAPIE introduced its innovation ecosystem and led a discussion on what companies need to grow internationally. Representatives from MicroStep Europa, DAITABLE, Sudolabs and GOSPACE LABS contributed perspectives.
- Practical lessons from global expansion: Sensoneo’s Martin Basila was scheduled to share insights into strategic decisions, market entry and building international teams.
- Industrial modernization: Event partners presented technology trends, innovative solutions and approaches to improving industrial efficiency.
- Space-sector opportunities: Sessions highlighted how companies in engineering, electronics, software and satellite-data applications could enter the space sector and access European Space Agency opportunities.
- Networking and partnerships: B2B sessions and the SAPIE booth provided opportunities to connect. The parallel Emerging Space event included an exhibition, networking, hybrid Slovakia–Bavaria business meetings and expert consultations with the Slovak Space Office.
The central theme was how Slovak businesses can translate technological expertise into international growth through innovation, partnerships and access to new markets and supply chains.
How does the SAPIE Open Innovation Challenge fit in?
The SAPIE Open Innovation Challenge offers companies the opportunity to view their challenges from a new perspective and to tap into external talent and new ideas. No finished solution is required for the challenge: We are looking for a variety of technologies, approaches, and ideas—ranging from concepts or prototypes to simulations or digital twins. And this is where the dots connect with the Slovak Industry Vision Day conference. The new format was promoted in front of 300 representatives of the Slovak policy, business and academia ecosystem; Twin City Hub explored new connections and opportunities.
Do you have a Corporate Challenge?
We can help connect your challenge with the right team.
👉 Learn more about the SAPIE Open Challenge: https://sapie.sk/events-blog/sapie-open-challenge
A Cross-Border Bridge for Open Innovation
This pilot project is part of the Twin City Future Innovation Manufacturing Hub initiative and is implemented by SAPIE – the Slovak Alliance for an Innovative Economy.
The aim of the activity is to strengthen cross-border cooperation between Austria and Slovakia and connect organisations from the private and public sectors with start-ups, students and innovative teams.
