Podim 2025 – one of the Europe’s 30 best startup events

Where Innovation Meets Opportunity in Maribor 2025

Podim 2025 Conference is set to take place from 12 to 14 May 2025 in Maribor, Slovenia, across two central venues: Maribox (Kinobox) for the Main Stage, Demo Studios, Marketplace and networking terraces, and Narodni dom Maribor dedicated to the Podim Deal Room with over 1,300 one-to-one meetings scheduled over two days . This annual gathering brings together global entrepreneurs, investors, corporate executives and thought leaders for three days of high-impact content and connection.

Attendees at Podim 2025 will enjoy:

• Main Stage sessions featuring visionary CEOs, innovation managers and policy makers
• Interactive panels & workshops on AI, blockchain, cleantech, circular economy and sustainable scale-up practices
• Demo Studios where 150+ vetted startups deliver fast-paced pitches
• Investors Academy masterclasses on term sheets, deal-flow and portfolio strategies
• Special side events including the Monday Meetup kickoff, Builders Stage deep-tech showcases, Poker Night and the legendary Podim Party
• Podim Deal Room, enabling curated 1:1 meetings between founders and potential backers.

Podim is Europe’s leading Startup & Tech event in the Alps-Adria region, designed to spark bold ideas, meaningful partnerships and real business outcomes. For full details and to secure your place, visit the official site: podim.org Podim.

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Key Dates & Venues

• 12 May (Monday): Pre-conference Super Stage program (afternoon) & Monday Meetup evening
• 13 May (Tuesday): Main Stage sessions, Pitching Competition semifinals & Podim Party
• 14 May (Wednesday): Final pitches, closing keynotes & networking brunch

Podim is hosted across two iconic Maribor venues – Maribox (Kinobox) for main stages and startup showcases, and Narodni dom Maribor for one-on-one meetings in the Podim Deal Room.

70+ Game-Changing Speakers

This year’s lineup features over 70 world-class founders, CEOs and innovation leaders from across Europe and beyond, ready to share hard-won insights on scaling startups, securing investment and driving deep tech adoption.

Highlights include:

Fireside chat with a multi-exit serial entrepreneur

Panel on “Sustainable Scale-up Strategies”

Workshop: “Bridging Deep Tech and Industry”

Check out all the Podim 2025 speakers HERE.

Program Highlights

Podim 2025 offers a rich menu of formats designed to accelerate learning and deal-making:

Special Side Events: HealthTech Meetup, Deep Tech Innovation showcase, and the celebrated Silicon Gardens Poker Night.

Main Stage: Daily keynotes and panels on AI, blockchain, cleantech, sustainability and more.

Startup Demo Studios: Bite-size pitches from 150+ carefully vetted startups.

Investors Academy: Masterclasses on term-sheet negotiation, portfolio management and VC trends.

Podim Deal Room: Pre-scheduled 1:1 meetings with investors and corporates.

Check out the program of Podim 2025 HERE.

Slovenika: Proud Sponsor of Speaker Gifts

For 2025, Slovenika—a home-grown Slovenian company dedicated to showcasing the very best of our local artisans—proudly steps in as exclusive sponsor of Podim speaker gifts. Every item in their curated collection is:

• 100 % Slovenian-made: From hand-thrown Rogaška ceramics to precision-cut Pohorje wooden keepsakes, each piece is crafted by regional experts.
• Built for lasting quality: Materials are carefully selected for durability and finish—sustainably harvested hardwoods, premium eco-textiles, and natural botanical extracts.
• Fully customizable: Slovenika offers laser engraving, hand-stitched monograms and bespoke color accents, so that every gift can carry the speaker’s name, the Podim 2025 logo or a motivational quote.
• Elegantly packaged: Each memento arrives in a beautifully designed, eco-friendly box printed with Slovenian motifs—ideal for display or storage, and worthy of re-use.

These thoughtfully made keepsakes not only express Podim’s gratitude but also invite recipients and attendees to bring a piece of Slovenia back home. To browse their full range of corporate and event gifts, visit slovenika.si and discover why Slovenika has become synonymous with quality, heritage and personalization.

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Networking That Matters

Beyond formal sessions, Podim’s legendary Podim Party and dedicated networking lounges create informal settings to forge lasting partnerships. Whether you’re an investor scouting new deals or a founder seeking strategic collaborators, every coffee break and evening reception is an opportunity.

One of Europe’s Best Tech & Startup Events

Established in 1980 as a nonprofit initiative, Podim was conceived with the aim of reshaping perspectives on innovation. Originating in Slovenia, Podim has grown into the premier startup and tech gathering in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. Here, the convergence of innovation with business prospects, capital infusion, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise occurs seamlessly. Serving as a pivotal regional hub, Podim facilitates learning and networking in an efficient and impactful manner. Its overarching goal is to empower founders and innovators with the requisite resources to tackle society’s most pressing challenges head-on.

Indeed, Podim is renowned for its ability to draw inquisitive individuals. Its thought-provoking nature effortlessly immerses participants in a state of flow. By joining us, you gain access to invaluable insights from world-class serial entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation managers, while also having the opportunity to engage with prominent regional startups, scaleups, and other ecosystem stakeholders. Notably, Podim’s excellence has been recognized, earning it a place among the top 30 tech and startup events in Europe.

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The conference, tailor-made for founders

Podim is meticulously crafted to cater to the specific requirements of founders, particularly those leading tech-driven enterprises with aspirations for rapid and scalable growth. Whether gracing the main stage or participating in workshop sessions, our speakers and attendees alike are eager to impart their insights and invaluable experiences, drawing from both successes and setbacks, with a refreshingly candid and direct approach.

Over the years, Podim has evolved into the preeminent gathering for startups and scaleups in the Alps-Adriatic and Western Balkans region. In 2019, we welcomed over 150 carefully selected startups and scaleups, each seeking to forge connections with potential investors and business collaborators.

Find out more about the event HERE.

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Podim 2024 – one of the Europe’s 30 best startup events

Where Innovation Meets Opportunity in Maribor 2024 Podim 2024 conference is currently taking place in the city of Maribor. From 13th to 15th of May, this premier event brings together global entrepreneurs, industry experts, investors, and thought leaders under one roof. Podim 2024 boasts an impressive lineup of speakers, including visionary CEOs, renowned experts, and successful startup founders. Attendees have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of informative sessions, panel discussions, and interactive workshops covering various cutting-edge topics. From emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain to sustainable business practices and market trends, Podim 2024 offers a […]