Slovakia, a small but active Central European country, is gradually emerging as a desirable startup location. With its excellent location, political stability, and developing entrepreneurial culture, Slovakia presents a suitable environment for the creation and development of innovative firms. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of Slovakia's startup incubators and accelerators. They have been subdivided into applicability for startups in their 'ideation', 'launch', or 'growth' stages, so you can take a pick at one that suits you best!
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FULL LIST OF STARTUP INCUBATORS AND ACCELERATORS IN SLOVAKIA
Ideation Stage Startup Incubators in Slovakia
The complete list of ideation phase incubators in Slovakia:
Who is it for: Aspiring entrepreneurs with an idea and seeking cofounder
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The University of Žilina Incubator is a cutting-edge and dynamic platform that serves as a catalyst for regional innovation and entrepreneurship. The incubator's association with the prominent University of Žilina provides entrepreneurs with unrivaled assistance and coaching that leverage the university's knowledge and resources, with cutting-edge research, industry insights, and a network of experienced people. In addition to state-of-the-art facilities, the University of Žilina Incubator provides a wide variety of services to assist businesses at all stages of growth.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The Incubator TUKE is an integral part of the University Science Park TECHNICOM in Slovakia, with the mission to support and nurture startups and providing them with the necessary resources and guidance to succeed. The incubator offers state-of-the-art facilities that include modern office spaces, laboratories, prototyping workshops, and meeting rooms. These facilities provide startups with the necessary infrastructure to develop and refine their ideas, as well as facilitate technology transfer. In addition to the physical spaces, the incubator also provides comprehensive services such as mentorship programs and networking opportunities.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
The AceON Accelerator in Slovakia is a comprehensive and dynamic program that fosters the growth of both startups and established enterprises. The accelerator, founded by Accace, an advisory and BPO firm, and ZAKA, a family venture firm, aims to enhance skills and influence the startup ecosystem in the CEE area. The accelerator provides exceptional programs, mentors, and business development services to startups.
Launch Stage Startup Incubators and Accelerators in Slovakia
The complete list of launch phase incubators and accelerators in Slovakia:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Seed Starter is a renowned business accelerator program in Slovakia that focuses on assisting and nurturing early-stage firms. Seed Starter focuses on providing businesses with the tools and assistance they need to thrive in a competitive market. It provides investment-readiness programs to prepare entrepreneurs to access capital at various phases of their company's growth, as well as connects companies with corporate venture capital programs.
Furthermore, Seed Starter encourages cutting-edge research collaborations by forming alliances between businesses and academic institutions, boosting innovation and knowledge exchange.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Multiple Sectors
Challenger Accelerator provides a variety of acceleration programs to assist businesses in determining product-market fit, acquiring paying customers, and raising finance to grow their operations. Challenger provides a variety of programs geared to certain sectors and regions around Europe. The accelerator distinguishes itself by not requiring startup equity. Instead, it focuses on offering significant assistance and tools to assist entrepreneurs in reaching their objectives.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Raw Materials
The Raw Materials Accelerator, run by EIT RawMaterials, is an innovative initiative that assists and accelerates raw materials startups. The accelerator's goal is to ensure a sustainable supply of raw materials in Europe by promoting innovation, education, and entrepreneurship The accelerator provides a three-phase program - Explore, Build, and Grow - to assist businesses in developing their business models, validating the market, and preparing for launch. Startups participating in the accelerator receive funding, cash, and crucial contacts with clients in the EIT RawMaterials partner network.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Perry Talents is a non-profit accelerator that provides businesses with a comprehensive growth program. Their objective is to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and help early-stage enterprises develop, raise capital, and expand internationally. The accelerator provides personalized support targeted to the unique needs of each firm. This includes access to experienced mentors who provide guidance and expertise, free office space to work and collaborate, workshops and training sessions to enhance skills and knowledge, and media support to help startups gain visibility.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Urban Mobility
The EIT Urban Mobility Accelerator is a European Union-funded initiative that helps early-stage mobility startups bring innovative ideas to market. It provides full assistance to entrepreneurs, such as training sessions, business and technical mentorship, access to a network of experts and investors, and cooperation and partnership possibilities. The EIT Urban Mobility Accelerator operates in five European regional centers, offering targeted assistance and access to regional resources to companies. This program helps companies with many elements of their company growth, such as market validation, product development, and scaling strategies.
Growth Stage Accelerators in Slovakia
The complete list of growth stage accelerators in Slovakia:
Who is it for: Early startup with a team / Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: FinTech
Elevator Lab Slovakia is a fintech partnership program powered by Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), one of the leading banks in the CEE region. It aims to develop innovative fintech solutions that will shape the future of the banking industry in the CEE Region. Elevator Lab offers a range of programs to support startups at different stages of development. For global later-stage fintechs, Elevator Lab provides a partnership program that offers access to the extensive fintech network in CEE, mentorship, and funding opportunities. For local seed/early-stage startups and single founders, Elevator Lab offers a bootcamp program that provides access to innovative technologies, creative working space, mentoring, and direct support in the acceleration process.
Who is it for: Early startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: Healthcare
Healthcare Lab is an international acceleration program for early-stage digital healthcare ventures in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Southern Europe. The initiative intends to connect, cultivate, and foster an international community of innovators, researchers, healthcare providers, and regulators in order to bring ground-breaking healthcare technologies to market. The program is powered by industry leaders from Roche and the European platform for healthcare innovators, EIT Health, and is run by innovation experts from Civitta. The program provides opportunities for lead generation and piloting with program partners, feedback from industry leaders, support in internationalization and scaling up, personalized mentoring and coaching, investor matchmaking, access to a global expert network, and a cash prize and service package awarded to the Demo Day winners.
Who is it for: Mature startup with a team
Need to have an idea: Yes
Focus: B2B
The V4 Startup Force program is a comprehensive accelerator program targeted at B2B firms in the Visegrad Group (V4) area, which comprises the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. The program provides participants with a variety of benefits, such as individualized mentorship, specialized business meetings, and access to a network of corporate partners and specialists. To be eligible for the program, startups must have a B2B solution, a validated product-market fit, and at least one founder with Czech, Hungarian, Polish, or Slovak nationality.
Closing Thoughts on Joining a Startup Accelerator or Incubator in Slovakia
In recent years, Slovakia's startup ecosystem has made tremendous progress, presenting itself as a viable location for innovation and entrepreneurship. Cities such as Bratislava, Zilina, and Kosice have evolved as vibrant entrepreneurial centers, demonstrating the country's entrepreneurial spirit. Despite the fact that the ecosystem is still waiting for its first unicorn, impressive early exits highlight Slovakia's entrepreneurial potential.