The StartMeUp! international conference, co-organised by Advantage Austria, the Slovenian-German Chamber of Commerce, and SPIRIT Slovenia, took place in Kristalna palača on 24 September 2025. The event aimed to connect innovators, entrepreneurs and companies from Slovenia and Austria, opening the way to new markets through cross-border cooperation.

The conference programme combined informative lectures, panel discussions, presentations of business ideas, and short one-to-one business meetings, where participants could connect directly with potential partners. There was a particular focus on discussions about the creation of innovative entrepreneurial ecosystems and the challenges and opportunities for start-up growth in the region,

The event was attended by Luka Radičević, a young researcher at the Institute of Economic Research, who is conducting doctoral research into the field of social impact investing and the relationships between investors and entrepreneurs. Participation provides insight into current research trends and opportunities for linking research findings with business practice.