IMB Students Impress with Presentation on Slovenia’s Deep-Tech Potential at PKP 2025

A woman stands at a podium, presenting to an audience at a conference, with a projector screen in the background.

On the second day of the 27th Portorož Business Conference, students of the 32nd generation of the International Master Programme in Business and Organisation (IMB) at the School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana, took centre stage with an outstanding presentation of their capstone research project, drawing significant interest from the professional community. Adam Čeru, Tatiana Fedynskaia, Jethro Muwanguzi and Nadina Salemović presented the collective work of their entire cohort on a project designed by a group of mentors from the School.

This year’s project, “Exploring the Growth Potential of Deep Tech and Other Emerging Technologies in Slovenia,” addresses one of the key developmental questions within the Slovenian and broader European innovation landscape: how to create a supportive environment that enables scientific breakthroughs to evolve into market-ready, globally competitive solutions. The project, which was developed in collaboration between IMB students, researchers from the School of Economics and Business and external partners, offers an in-depth analysis of the structure, dynamics and opportunities within Slovenia’s deep-tech ecosystem, with a particular focus on biotech, green-tech, space-tech and other emerging technologies. Its thematic diversity is complemented by extensive stakeholder interviews and detailed analytical work.

The research team included numerous contributors from the School of Economics and Business, University of Ljubljana: Andreja Cirman, Barbara Čater, Tomaž Čater, Zhonghui Ding, Polona Domadenik Muren, Eva Erjavec, Daša Farčnik, Aleksander Gerbec, Jurij Giacomelli, Matjaž Koman, Hana Končan, Mitja Kovač, Klara Ljubi, Denis Marinšek, Slaven Mičković, Tamara Pavasović Trošt, Tjaša Redek and Peter Trkman.

In their presentation, the students highlighted that well-functioning deep-tech ecosystems are essential for the creation of new industries, higher levels of economic growth and effective responses to major societal challenges—from sustainability to demographic change. Successful deep-tech breakthroughs typically emerge in environments where science, industry, government support and specialised institutions operate in alignment. The European context, which is characterised by strong workforce technological competencies rooted in advanced manufacturing and by high-quality research institutions, requires a different approach than the U.S. model. Accordingly, the results of the project outline a series of recommendations and strategic directions tailored to Europe’s specific innovation landscape.

The Portorož Business Conference thus continues to serve as a platform where analytical excellence, research ambition and fresh perspectives of young experts and their mentors converge each year, contributing to the future development of Slovenia’s innovation ecosystem.

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