A period full of new projects, challenges, and experiences brought many opportunities and lessons for INOVATO. Running a project solely from our own resources is not easy, so initially, there were minor doubts about whether we could manage everything.
“And then came the great news – the international project Bridge and Shift, which we had submitted for the third time, was successful,” says Anna. Alongside the Visegrad projects, with which we have experience, they have now embarked on a project with bigger plans, ambitions, expectations, and budget. Despite the less than ideal economic and social situation, she values the strong core of members and is pleased that others have joined them. “I feel that we are a good community, and people appreciate our work.”
International recognition also came from ESCA – at the beginning of November, we received a silver certificate. “It’s confirmation that our systematic work makes sense. For the cluster, it’s prestige and opens doors to further collaborations,” adds Anna.
Collaboration is crucial for us
Collaboration is crucial for us at INOVATO, whether among companies, universities, or the non-profit sector. “However, it’s hard to pick one that dominated this year. I’m happy with every one.”
We deepened our cooperation with state organizations, such as SARIO, and we intensively collaborated with the Drone Mothers Association, the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology of STU, and the regional innovation agency KIRA.
“It was a mutually beneficial experience, and I believe we will find equally willing partners elsewhere,” says Anna.
Inspiration from Korea
As part of the Slovakia–Korea Knowledge Sharing Program 2024/25, organized by the Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA) in cooperation with the Korea Development Institute (KDI), we had the opportunity to travel to Korea. It was an unforgettable experience.
“Seeing how society and the economy function in a country that is a leader in technology was fascinating. The concepts of technological cities – Innopolises – are amazing, even though the modern, human-isolated world was quite daunting. In Korea, they are already reflecting on the impacts of rapid economic growth and seeking a path to sustainability. I think that we, too, when it comes to technology and growth, should consider the consequences for society and people’s health.”
Space Innovations in Action
This year, we also completed the Space for V4 project, which connects space technologies and business in Central Europe. “This was our second experience with a project from the Visegrad Fund. We focused on sharing experiences and mapping space ecosystems in V4 countries. We published blogs, prepared webinars, networked at the Výťah.conf conference, and the topic of the space industry was one of the key themes at INOFEST. I am pleased that ESA BIC – a business incubator that can further develop this area – is already operating here.”
Anna also appreciates the human aspect of collaboration: “Project management, even for a financially limited project, is challenging, which makes me appreciate the positive feedback from partners even more. It was a successful collaboration from a human perspective as well.”
Plans and Visions for 2026
Next year, our activities will be more or less defined by the Bridge and Shift project. This allows us to directly participate in the transformation of the automotive sector, gain know-how from Western regions, and build international partnerships. Crucially, the project provides funding for the implementation of concrete steps towards sustainable and intelligent production.
“However, we will also continue with educational activities – seminars, webinars, training, academies. The main event will be INOFEST – its seventh edition. Every month, new ad hoc items, collaborations, and invitations will emerge. We will also target new members and support existing ones. From my perspective, stability, cooperation, and assistance will be more valuable than pressure for growth,” says Anna.
“People and relationships are the heart of INOVATO”
For Anna, INOVATO is more than just work – it’s a place where she can realize her ideas and support others: “I was drawn by the people and circumstances, especially Janko Košturiak. I wanted to learn from the best, and I succeeded. What appeals to me most is the human dimension of the project. People and relationships are the most important, and this holds true here completely. That’s why I’m happy that you, Natália, have joined our family, because the opportunity to pass on my experience to you is literally an elixir for me.”
On a personal level, Anna admits that INOVATO teaches her to step out of her comfort zone and lead a team: “I am learning how to get along with people as best as possible, how to show respect while assertively seeking understanding. With every event, project, and solved problem, I gain confidence that we will always manage and things will be fine. With this approach, I am heading into the next year and will spread it wherever I can.”
The year 2025 once again showed that INOVATO is not just about projects and awards, but primarily about people, collaboration, and community growth.
TEXT: Natália Stašíková, Anna Čaplovičová
PHOTO: INOVATO
