PODIM Startups 2025

Our main focus is on deep-tech startups, typically in the software or connected hardware spaces. Make sure your startup is one of the 150 hand-picked through the selection process that will be invited to join Podim. In addition to making deals, Podim offers the opportunity to learn and exchange experiences from the best serial entrepreneurs, investors and tech experts from all over the globe.

The conference, tailor-made for founders

We have tailored Podim to suit the needs of founders of mostly tech-driven companies aiming for rapid growth based on a scalable business model. Whether on the main stage or in workshop sessions, all speakers and other participants are keen to share with you their knowledge and valuable experiences based on their own successes and failures, using a straightforward, no-bullshit approach.

Get investors and new business partners

With more than 900 business meetings, Podim Deal Room has become the core offering for startups seeking a next investment round or wanting to find new customers in the region. With its limited number of participants, Podim may not be the largest gathering of venture capitalists in the world, but its ability to attract more than 100 highly motivated regional and global investors looking for new investment opportunities in our region makes it a powerful deal-making platform. There are also 200+ business C-level executives attending Podim who are interested in cooperation with startups.

Valuable mentoring opportunities

Engaging speakers have become the trademark of Podim. They dedicate a few hours of their time to mentor (co-)founders attending the event. Choose between three different formats of mentoring support. Use One-on-one Quick-Fix Mentoring Sessions to dive into your company’s pain points, like product development, legal issues, and sales, or use Group Mentoring Sessions to figure out solutions together with your peer (co-)founders, who are experiencing the same challenges. If you are not really sure what exactly your problem is, join your peer (co-)founders at Topic Deep Dives with Mentors to discuss a predefined topic to better understand the field and challenges and to identify best solutions. Attending mentoring sessions is the first step towards fixing your challenges. The best part is that the mentors will stay by your side the next time you hit a bump on your journey.

Share your successes and fails at Founders’ Night

Who can feel your pain almost as well as you do? Your peers! At Podim, you’ll have plenty of time to spend with your fellow founders to exchange learning, mistakes, leads, ideas, and cooperation opportunities on product development, marketing, fundraising, HR, and more. You will realize your peers’ struggles are similar to your own. The Monday Founders’ Night after Podim Demo Day and other mentoring and networking events that are part of Podim will offer you great opportunities to get valuable support from those who can really relate to your challenges and exchange notes with the competitors. Founders’ Night will be held in the old town of Maribor, where you will have a chance to set up a meeting with potential business collaborators over a good drink in a relaxed atmosphere, supported by the Deal Room Matchmaking Tool.

Connect with startup ecosystems’ key players

Podim’s relaxed yet extremely productive atmosphere is ignited by entrepreneurial energy, enthusiasm and a positive mindset, so take this opportunity to mingle with other startup ecosystems’ key players. The diverse crowd of talent, policy makers, influencers, accelerators, and peer (co-)founders is eager to talk to you in a relaxed atmosphere. Share your story and collect new information, viewpoints, and interests. Use Podim to inspire participants and to share your optimism as well as to collect valuable feedback from others’ experiences. Join us at special networking events, dinners, and the famous Podim Party. Just go with the flow and let the Podim vibe take care of the rest.

Looking for reinforcements?

If you are looking for new members to join your team, then Podim is the right place for you to be. The crowd of not more than 1,000 tech-savvy changemakers at Podim can serve as the perfect recruiting pool for you to find your next employee.

Media coverage & Podim Live TV

Prosperous startups are one of the main reasons journalists representing the leading regional tech and business publications come to Podim, looking for promising stories and exciting product launches. So, if you have ever wanted a spotlight on your idea and your startup, come to Maribor prepared with your media pitch to tell your story and get broader media attention. Apply to pitch in front of our cameras, let Podim Live TV put the spotlight on your startup, and get visibility through Podim Channels.

Ways for startups to hack Podim

Look for the special opportunities we have exclusively prepared for startups to make the most out of your Podim experience. You can use our Podim Pitching Competition, Podim Marketplace, Podim Demo Studio, and own thought-provoking innovation tool Podim Genesis, developed together with our partner WhatAVenture.

The Startup Pass to Podim

At €95, the Startup Pass gives you access to the entire conference area, including all talks and networking formats, as well as exclusive access to 1:1 Quick-Fix Mentoring Sessions, Group Mentoring Sessions, Podim Deal Room, Podim Marketplace, Podim Demo Studio and Podim Genesis. Oh, and did we mention Founder’s Night and the famous Podim Party?