Find Startups in Slovakia

Slovakia has developed a resilient startup ecosystem that combines strong technical talent with increasing access to capital and support structures despite historical challenges in the business environment. The country has produced notable successes like ESET (cybersecurity), Photoneo (3D sensing), and Exponea (customer data platform, acquired by Bloomreach), while demonstrating particular strength in cybersecurity, deep tech applications, and software development services. The funding landscape has evolved with the emergence of venture capital firms like Neulogy Ventures, Crowdberry, and Zero Gravity Capital, complemented by government-backed instruments through the Slovak Investment Holding and various EU-funded programs supporting innovation. Angel investors have organized through networks like 42angels and Slovak Business Agency, often bringing operational expertise alongside capital. The accelerator environment includes programs like Perry Talents, Impact Hub, and Uplift supporting early-stage ventures with structured mentorship and development opportunities. Government backing has intensified through initiatives like the Innovation and Technology Fund, R&D tax incentives, and various grant schemes supporting entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. While Bratislava serves as the primary startup hub housing approximately 70% of the country's innovation activity, focused ecosystems have developed in Košice (with strength in creative industries and IT services) and Žilina (focusing on transportation technologies and smart manufacturing). Slovak startups benefit from the country's strong technical education producing skilled developers at competitive costs, strategic location in Central Europe, and improving infrastructure connecting to major European innovation centers, though entrepreneurs still navigate challenges including a relatively small domestic market, bureaucratic processes, and limited access to growth capital compared to neighboring ecosystems like Vienna and Prague.

Slovakia has developed a resilient startup ecosystem that combines strong technical talent with increasing access to capital and support structures despite historical challenges in the business environment. The country has produced notable successes like ESET (cybersecurity), Photoneo (3D sensing), and Exponea (customer data platform, acquired by Bloomreach), while demonstrating particular strength in cybersecurity, deep tech applications, and software development services. The funding landscape has evolved with the emergence of venture capital firms like Neulogy Ventures, Crowdberry, and Zero Gravity Capital, complemented by government-backed instruments through the Slovak Investment Holding and various EU-funded programs supporting innovation. Angel investors have organized through networks like 42angels and Slovak Business Agency, often bringing operational expertise alongside capital. The accelerator environment includes programs like Perry Talents, Impact Hub, and Uplift supporting early-stage ventures with structured mentorship and development opportunities. Government backing has intensified through initiatives like the Innovation and Technology Fund, R&D tax incentives, and various grant schemes supporting entrepreneurship and technology commercialization. While Bratislava serves as the primary startup hub housing approximately 70% of the country's innovation activity, focused ecosystems have developed in Košice (with strength in creative industries and IT services) and Žilina (focusing on transportation technologies and smart manufacturing). Slovak startups benefit from the country's strong technical education producing skilled developers at competitive costs, strategic location in Central Europe, and improving infrastructure connecting to major European innovation centers, though entrepreneurs still navigate challenges including a relatively small domestic market, bureaucratic processes, and limited access to growth capital compared to neighboring ecosystems like Vienna and Prague.