The Startup Ecosystem of Slovakia
Slovakia has 2 cities in the top 1000 and is ranked 16th in Eastern Europe.
COUNTRY RANKING
Slovakia’s startup scene saw an increase in 2024 and jumped 3 spots from the previous year, outranking Kenya.
Population
Million
Regional Ranking
In Eastern Europe
Global Ranking
Worldwide
Ecosystem
Startup Ecosystem Overview
Slovakia’s strategic location near the startup hotspot of Vienna, its close ties with Czechia, and its proximity to key Eastern European markets like Ukraine and Poland make it a prime destination for startups looking to tap into multiple high-potential markets. The country’s startup ecosystems are buzzing with innovative ideas and offer plenty of investment opportunities, especially in the development of digital products. Young entrepreneurs can be found in vibrant communities across Bratislava, as well as in other regional centers like Zilina and Kosice, where major technical universities are located. Emerging trends in industries such as healthcare, climate resilience, fintech, and mobility are shaping the startup scene in Slovakia.
Organizations like the Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy (SAPIE) are working on regional projects like Innovate Slovakia to boost entrepreneurship in the country. While the government is making efforts to improve the regulatory environment and provide better public funding policies for startups, more collaboration with stakeholders is needed. Positive changes have been seen through partnerships with SAPIE, including tailored legislation for high-growth companies, tax incentives, startup visas, and educational reforms.
Although Slovakia has yet to produce its first unicorn startup, early exits from tech companies like Azet and Zoznam show promise for the future. To attract and retain IT talent, the country should also focus on creating a conducive environment for IT professionals. Strengthening Bratislava as a primary startup hub and supporting Kosice as a secondary ecosystem are crucial for elevating Slovakia’s international standing. With its competitive location, digitally-focused universities, and R&D tax incentives, Slovakia has the potential to become a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship in the region.
Startups
Slovakia Top Startup Industries
74 startups
Ecosystem HealthCheck
Slovakia Ecosystem Health Check
The health check tables allow you to look at the performance Slovakia has in each of the parameters that are part of StartupBlink's ranking algorithm. There are five tables, corresponding to the three subscores, the subscore analysis and industry ana...
- Overperformance
- Performance equal to global ranking
- Underperformance
ECOSYSTEM
Browse the startup ecosystem database of Slovakia
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Startup Ecosystem Charts
Startup Funding in Slovakia2017 - 2024
Startup Funding in Slovakia 2017 - 2024
From 2022 to 2023, startup funding in Slovakia has decreased by 68.68%. During this period, the number of deals in Slovakia has decreased by 20%. Since 2017, total startup funding in Slovakia exceeded US$ $913.29M.
Average Funding in 2023
$3.93M
Funding in 2023
$78.51M
Deals in 2023
20
USD
Amount of Funding (USD)
Number of Deals
Ecosystem
The Startup Ecosystem in Slovakia
Global Rank
Slovakia is ranked within the top 100 startup ecosystems globally.
Top Industries
Slovakia’s startup scene is best represented in Software & Data, Marketing & Sales, and in Fintech.
Top Cities for Startups in Slovakia - Ranked by StartupBlink
2024 National Rank  | City | Global Rank |  | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Data Available | ||||||
Startups
Notable Startups in Slovakia
BLOG
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