The 5th edition of a leading business forum

SLOVAKINDUSTRYVISIONDAY 2026

INDUSTRY 6.0B2BPARTNEREXPANSIONAITECHNOLOGY

Date27 October 2026

VenueDoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava

Organiser

Under the auspices of

Innovation partner

01 About the event

Where vision meets practice—and companies meet real opportunities.

Slovak Industry VISION Day 2026 brings together Slovak industry, technology companies, investors, experts and the public sector. The one-day forum combines strategic discussion with formats designed to deliver tangible business outcomes.

The event is organised by the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic and in cooperation with innovation partner SAPIE.

B2B meetings

Pre-scheduled in-person business meetings and strategic supply-chain connections.

Strategic topics

Competitiveness, investment, exports, Industry 6.0, AI and technology.

New partnerships

Connections with companies, investors, customers, experts and public institutions.

Practical workshops

Experience with expansion into Asia, the USA, the DACH region and the Western Balkans.

1intensive day

4parallel halls

8+workshops and discussions

B2Bmeetings & sourcing

02 Programme

From the big picture
to business meetings.

Morning programme moderator: Juraj Holub. The programme and guest list are updated continuously; the attendance of public officials depends on their current official schedules.

Morning programme · main hall

08:00 — 09:00

Participant registration and morning coffee

An opportunity for informal networking before the programme begins.

09:00 — 09:30

Opening ceremony & keynote speech

An opening video marking 25 years of SARIO, the official opening and strategic challenges for Slovakia’s future competitiveness.

Invited guests: Peter Pellegrini, President of the Slovak Republic · Denisa Saková, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic

09:30 — 09:45

SARIO’s strategic vision for Slovakia

A discussion about the agency’s direction, support for innovation and its vision for Slovakia’s business environment.

Key speaker: Egon Zorád, Director General of SARIO · Moderated by Juraj Holub

09:45 — 10:15

Investment development and new opportunities

Strategic development of the investment environment, attracting new investors and building sustainable supply networks.

Expert guarantor: SARIO · Panellists: Simona Jurkovičová, SARIO · Tomáš Horňák, Hoval · Jing Wang, WANGJIN Europe · Moderated by Juraj Holub

10:15 — 10:45

Export potential and business support

Internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises, promotion of Slovak products and public export-support instruments.

Expert guarantor: SARIO · Panellists: Daniel Ondruš, SARIO · Zuzana Holý Omelková, GAMO a.s. · Marek Plavčan, Airvolute · Moderated by Juraj Holub

10:45 — 11:30

From Slovakia to the world

Can a global technology company be built from Slovakia? An opening interview with Michal Kardoš, Executive Director of SAPIE, introduces the innovation ecosystem and SAPIE’s key activities and initiatives. The panel then explores what Slovak technology companies need to scale successfully and compete globally.

Expert guarantor: SAPIE · Michal Kardoš, SAPIE · Igor Mikulina, MicroStep Europa GmbH, Germany · Šimon Staňo, DAITABLE · Ján Kokavec, Sudolabs · Pavol Turčina, GOSPACE LABS · Moderated by Juraj Holub

11:35 — 11:55

Global success from Slovakia

A case study on strategic decisions, go-to-market approach, building international teams and lessons learned.

Expert guarantor: SAPIE · Guest: Martin Basila, Sensoneo

12:00 — 13:00

Exclusive VISION Partner Business Insights: Trends and solutions for modern industry

A practical discussion and product insights from market leaders. Top executives of the event’s Exclusive VISION Partners will present innovative solutions, technology trends and proven approaches to modernisation and greater efficiency in industry.

Moderated by Juraj Holub

Space industry: A new frontier for your business

From precision engineering and electronics to software and satellite data, the space industry offers opportunities to companies currently operating in other sectors. The interview will explore how Slovak companies can apply their technological know-how—from ESA projects to international supply chains and cooperation with major space-systems integrators. We will also look at how these opportunities can open the door to new customers and markets, as well as the first steps and support available when entering the sector.

Daniel Šagáth, Slovak Space Office / SARIO

Financing growth beyond Slovakia: Practical solutions for exporters

Success in international markets requires not only a strong product and commercial strategy, but also reliable financial backing. The discussion will present ways for Slovak companies to manage trade risks, finance export contracts, optimise cash flow and support international growth through modern trade-finance and cash-management solutions.

Koloman Buzgó, Director of the Sustainability and Corporate Client Solutions Division, ČSOB

District-heating modernisation: Bratislava West Heating Plant

Zdenko Závodný, Investment Construction Project Manager, MH Teplárenský holding

13:00 — 14:00

Lunch

End of the morning programme and time for networking.

14:00 — 17:00

Parallel programme

Bilateral meetings and sourcing sessions take place in the main hall alongside the expert workshops.

Side event09:00 — 17:00

Emerging Space

A special full-day event by the Slovak Space Office focused on developing the space industry, international synergies and innovative technology partnerships.

09:00 – 13:00 Open exhibition & networking
14:00 – 16:00 Slovakia–Bavaria cooperation: public presentations and bilateral B2B meetings focused on advanced supply chains, with participation in person or online
16:00 – 17:00 Individual expert consultations and a closing review of the event

Waldorf Conference Hall · expert guarantor: SARIO / Slovak Space Office

03 GIB sourcing

Become a GIB supplier

From SIVD registration to a qualified B2B meeting.

GIB EnergyX Slovakia and SARIO are looking for potential suppliers for GIB supply chains. Participation in sourcing is a separate qualification path within SIVD registration—it does not replace registration for the event.

Register for SIVD. Select “SOURCING GIB” in the main registration form.
Review the official SARIO information. The checkbox links to the “Become a GIB supplier” information page.
Complete the GIB qualification form. Provide your company profile, capacity, certifications and supply categories. The information will be reviewed by GIB EnergyX Slovakia experts.

Event attendance does not automatically guarantee an in-person B2B meeting. Final meetings are subject to GIB EnergyX Slovakia’s internal assessment and approval. Registration deadline: 18 October 2026.

1. SIVD registration 2. GIB information and form

04 Speakers, moderators & expert guarantors

Experts in investment,
exports and international markets.

Additional panellists and guests will be announced gradually.

Egon Zorád

Director General of SARIO

Juraj Holub

Morning programme moderator

Simona Jurkovičová

Director of the Investment Projects Department at SARIO

Michal KardošMichal Kardoš has more than ten years of experience in business, public administration, the non-profit sector and entrepreneurship.He has long supported Slovak companies in their export activities, including in the US and Israeli markets, where he previously served as Export Director at SARIO.At the American Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia, he worked as a government and institutional relations expert, focusing on the digital agenda, energy and improving the business environment through legislative proposals and projects in Slovakia and at European level.He has helped organise numerous conferences, workshops and other events, including GLOBSEC and the Startup Awards.Michal studied international relations at the University of Economics in Bratislava and economics at the University of Oxford, and completed study stays in Iceland and France.Click to close

Michal Kardoš

Executive Director of SAPIE

Koloman BuzgóJUDr. Koloman Buzgó is a member of ČSOB’s senior management responsible for sustainability and corporate-client solutions. He leads teams focused on trade finance, factoring, cash management, corporate banking support and ESG transformation.During more than two decades in telecommunications and banking, he has held senior management and legal positions. His expertise covers corporate finance, international trade, digital corporate banking and sustainable growth.Click to close

Koloman Buzgó

Director of Sustainability and Corporate Client Solutions, ČSOB

Tomáš HorňákA plant manager with a background in HVAC and manufacturing, he leads a growing company and investments exceeding €60 million in heat-pump production.His experience covers operations, organisational development, manufacturing, quality, budgeting, technology and EHS. He holds an engineering degree in mechatronics and focuses on sustainability, green technologies and regional development.Click to close

Tomáš Horňák

Plant Manager, Hoval

Šimon StaňoŠimon Staňo is CEO and co-founder of DAITABLE, a Slovak technology company valued at €10 million that has developed an AI solution for industrial energy management. He was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2026.He studied international trade at the University of Economics in Bratislava, completed five Erasmus stays and began his career at Procter & Gamble, where he became Sales Manager. He also serves as President of JCI Slovakia, connecting young entrepreneurs.Click to close

Šimon Staňo

CEO and co-founder of DAITABLE

Ján KokavecJán Kokavec is COO, partner and board member at Sudolabs. He leads the enterprise segment, key client relationships and activities supporting global expansion.Before joining Sudolabs, he spent almost eight years at Boston Consulting Group, primarily in private equity. He studied at Sciences Po Paris and the University of Cambridge.Click to close

Ján Kokavec

COO, partner and board member at Sudolabs

Michal Bordean

SARIO Representative for the Republic of Korea

Michal Dutko

SARIO Representative for the Republic of Korea

Tomáš MichalíkTomáš Michalík is Global Sales Director at Photoneo, a leading developer of robotic 3D vision and industrial automation.He is responsible for global sales strategy, key-account development and the international partner network, helping turn advanced vision-guided robotics into tangible business value.Click to close

Tomáš Michalík

Global Sales Director, Photoneo, part of Zebra Technologies

Andrej Ščotka

Supervisory Board Member, ŠČOTKA, a.s.

Vladimír Lackovič

SARIO Representative for the USA

Štefan KarolčíkŠtefan Karolčík, PhD, is Chief Product & Regulatory Officer at Seerlinq, a medtech company developing non-invasive monitoring for heart-failure patients. He earned his PhD in biomedical sensors at Imperial College London.At Seerlinq, he is responsible for the product and regulatory strategy of the MDR-certified HeartCore platform and leads the company’s entry into the US market, including communication with the FDA.Click to close

Štefan Karolčík

Chief Product & Regulatory Officer, Seerlinq

Lukáš Merga

SARIO Representative for China, Shanghai

Eva StejskalováEva Stejskalová is co-founder and CEO of the Slovak company MicroStep, established in 1991 by a group of lecturers and researchers from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology at the Slovak University of Technology.The company has grown into a manufacturer of highly automated plasma and laser CNC cutting machines developed in-house. MicroStep technologies are used in shipbuilding, pressure-vessel production, steel structures and other engineering applications in 60 countries, including China.Click to close

Eva Stejskalová

CEO, MicroStep

Liu Boyuan

Chairman and President, Chinese-Slovak Chamber of Commerce

Dominika Porubská

SARIO

Daniel Ondruš

Director of the Foreign Trade Department at SARIO

Eduard CristeaSales and marketing professional with experience across the defence, automotive and simulation industries.He is passionate about building strong relationships, bringing people together and creating long-term value for customers and partners. He enjoys international environments and collaborating with diverse teams to achieve shared goals.Click to close

Eduard Cristea

Virtual Reality Media, a.s.

Silvia Radovanović

SARIO

Zuzana Holý OmelkováZuzana Holý Omelková is Sales Director at GAMO a.s. and a cybersecurity expert. She has worked in IT security since 2011.She manages the implementation of security rules and measures in line with cybersecurity and information-security legislation. She works on cyber-resilience security-service projects and oversees deployed technologies to ensure strong protection and reliable security of GAMO clients’ data.Click to close

Zuzana Holý Omelková

Sales Director at GAMO a.s.

Igor SalopekIgor Salopek focuses on business development and international cooperation, particularly connecting Slovak and Croatian partners.At WeWater, he develops mobile water-treatment technologies for providing drinking water in crisis situations. His experience includes project coordination, technology partnerships and international business development.Click to close

Igor Salopek

WeWater

Artur BobovnickýArtur Bobovnický is Director of the Slovak Pavilion for EXPO 2027 in Belgrade. Before joining Slovakia Travel, he was Director of the Innovation Section at the Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA), responsible for supporting innovative solutions and developing international cooperation. Before SIEA, he worked as a Commercial Director in FMCG companies, spent more than ten years as Managing Partner of an international consulting company, and held senior management roles in companies including SARIO and EuroTel Bratislava.For more than a decade, he taught Global Marketing, Marketing Research and Marketing Strategies at the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Trnava.He graduated from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, specialising in thermal and nuclear power machinery and equipment, where he later earned a CSc. degree.Born, raised and educated in Slovakia, he speaks several languages and plays golf.Click to close

Artur Bobovnický

Director of the Slovak Pavilion for EXPO 2027 in Belgrade

Boris KončekBoris Konček is a diplomat who has worked at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic since 2018. From 2020 to 2025, he served at the Slovak Embassy in Belgrade, where his work included economic diplomacy. He currently specialises in developing trade and economic relations, particularly with the Western Balkans and the Middle East, at the Department of Bilateral Trade Cooperation. His work focuses on supporting Slovak business interests abroad, connecting Slovak and foreign business partners, and organising business missions that help Slovak companies develop their activities in international markets.Click to close

Boris Konček

Diplomat, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic

Martina Šušová

SARIO Representative for the DACH region

Tomáš PetrekAs CEO and co-owner of the international branding studio GoBIGNAME, he works with start-ups, small businesses and corporations, helping their brands grow globally.Over its 14-year history, the GoBIGNAME team has completed more than 450 projects worldwide. Tomáš Petrek was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for his work.Click to close

Tomáš Petrek

CEO and co-owner of GoBIGNAME

Igor MikulinaIgor Mikulina is co-founder and Managing Director of MicroStep Europa GmbH, which specialises in automated sheet-metal processing systems. He has extensive experience in marketing, product development, product launches and entering new markets. MicroStep Europa operates two technology centres in Germany and collaborates with leading technology companies and organisations, including Intel, Dell, EuroCloud Deutschland, eco – the Association of the Internet Industry, and DVS. Igor Mikulina is also co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the IndustryFusion Foundation in Switzerland and holds management and board positions in other companies and organisations. Under his leadership, MicroStep Europa has expanded from mechanical engineering with production in Slovakia into new industrial business models, particularly Manufacturing as a Service. The company is also actively involved in industrial edge AI, agentic AI, European AI models, data sovereignty and open-source software.Click to close

Igor Mikulina

Co-founder and Managing Director, MicroStep Europa GmbH

Vladimír ŠvačIng. Vladimír Švač, PhD. works at Slovakia’s Research and Innovation Authority as an industry domain specialist. He is the author of Inovujte o 106 and focuses on innovation management in industrial companies.He promotes corporate–startup collaboration and co-organises R&D Club 4+, connecting stakeholders across Slovakia’s innovation ecosystem.Click to close

Vladimír Švač

Industry Domain Specialist, VAIA

Martin GondárMartin Gondár specialises in identifying and assessing R&D activities and applying Slovakia’s R&D super-deduction and patent-box incentives.He provides methodological leadership for projects and personally supports R&D deduction claims during tax audits, combining technical, project, accounting and tax perspectives. He also lectures on tax support for research and development.Click to close

Martin Gondár

Managing Partner, SmarTech Solutions SK

Tomáš KlinkaTomáš Klinka is a partner and patent attorney at SIGNUM legal, specialising in intellectual-property and information-technology law.His practice covers effective IP protection, licensing, strategic litigation, innovation management and technology transfer.Click to close

Tomáš Klinka

Partner and Patent Attorney, SIGNUM legal

Michal Šanta

Schaeffler Kysuce

Martin JančoMartin Jančo founded and leads M2M Solutions, a Slovak technology company supporting supply-chain management, logistics and manufacturing processes. He focuses on new products and innovations in mobility and manufacturing.He received the Science and Technology Personality award in 2021 and was named Innovator of the Year 2024. He graduated from the Faculty of Management Science and Informatics at the University of Žilina.Click to close

Martin Jančo

CEO, M2M Solutions

Martin BasilaMartin Basila is CEO and co-founder of Sensoneo, which develops innovative technology solutions for waste management and the circular economy. Its solutions support the sector’s digital transformation while improving efficiency, transparency and sustainability.Sensoneo provides a comprehensive IT solution for managing deposit-return systems in ten countries, as well as material take-back solutions for regional and nationwide schemes. Through its spin-off Smart DRS, it delivers practical and accessible deposit-return technologies for both single-use and reusable packaging. The company’s solutions are available in more than 90 countries.Click to close

Martin Basila

CEO and co-founder of Sensoneo

Gabriel Gottgeisl

Director of the National Project Department at SARIO

Marek PlavčanMarek Plavčan is Sales Director at Airvolute s.r.o. He previously worked in data analytics and product management.He began his career by building analytical capacity in public administration. He is a graduate of the London School of Economics.Click to close

Marek Plavčan

Sales Director at Airvolute

Pavol TurčinaPavol Turčina is the founder and CEO of GOSPACE LABS, a Slovak technology company established as a spin-off of the Slovak Organisation for Space Activities (SOSA). He helped initiate Slovakia’s cooperation with the European Space Agency (ESA) and coordinated skCUBE, Slovakia’s first satellite.With the GOSPACE team, he now applies experience from space research to IoT and telecommunications solutions for smart cities and climate change adaptation. These include Fleximodo smart parking and the Meratch platform for monitoring watercourses and rainfall and providing early flood warnings.Click to close

Pavol Turčina

Founder and CEO, GOSPACE LABS

Zdenko ZávodnýIng. Zdenko Závodný, PhD, is an energy expert with a doctorate from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the Slovak University of Technology. He currently heads the Investment Preparation and Implementation Department at MH Teplárenský holding, a.s., with comprehensive responsibility for managing investment plans.He previously worked as a project manager and thermodynamics engineer, focusing on operational optimisation and techno-economic analysis. He holds several professional certificates, including qualifications for district-heating and energy operations.Click to close

Zdenko Závodný

Investment Construction Project Manager, MH Teplárenský holding

Luis Portero

Senior Trade Expert, DG Trade

Oto Pisoň

Director of the Overseas Division, Envien Group

Daniel Šagáth

Slovak Space Office / SARIO

Jing Wang

WANGJIN Europe

Marián Jakubis

PANGEANA Europe

Štefan Glova

CEO, Valta Engineering

Michal Valent

Head of the SARIO Trade Office in Kazakhstan

Expo

Meet partners and discover their products, services and innovative solutions.

Consultations and networking

Expert consultations and opportunities to establish business contacts.

SARIO team

SARIO experts in investment, exports and international markets.

05 B2B meetings

Schedule your B2B meetings
before the event.

Pre-scheduled in-person B2B meetings and strategic supply-chain matchmaking will take place in the main hall from 14:00 to 17:00.

Company profile

Create your company profile in the registration portal. Registration is open until 18 October 2026.

Bilateral meetings & sourcing

Pre-scheduled in-person B2B meetings and strategic supply-chain matchmaking will take place in the main hall on 27 October 2026 from 14:00 to 17:00.

B2B information

How to schedule a B2B meeting

Verified information about company profiles and the time and venue of B2B meetings.

View information

06 Partners

Become
part of the vision.

Partnership provides professional, brand and business visibility before, during and after the event.

Selected directly during registration

Business partner

1 500 €View full partnership package

Limited capacity

VISION partner

4 000 €View full partnership package

Limited capacity

Exclusive VISION partner

7 000 €View full partnership package

Limited capacity

General partner

12 500 – 15 000 €View full partnership package

VISION and EXCLUSIVE VISION partners may add a workshop, webinar or round table for €1,500 / 45 minutes. The General Partner package includes one of these formats.

About the event partners I am interested in partnership