{"id":14723,"date":"2026-04-05T10:52:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T08:52:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inova.to\/why-is-slovak-innovation-stalling-its-held-back-by-both-structure-and-psychology\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T10:52:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T08:52:48","slug":"why-is-slovak-innovation-stalling-its-held-back-by-both-structure-and-psychology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inova.to\/en\/why-is-slovak-innovation-stalling-its-held-back-by-both-structure-and-psychology\/","title":{"rendered":"Why is Slovak innovation stalling? It’s held back by both structure and psychology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most companies today “collaborate” with startups. They organize hackathons, set up accelerators, or allocate capital for investments. The result? After two years, they have a few pilot projects on their hands and almost nothing in actual practice. <\/span><\/p>\n

Why isn’t it working? Because these models are set up for something else\u2014an accelerator develops the startup, and a fund wants a financial return. However, few address the most important thing: how to get new technology directly into production or into a product. We talked about how to change this with Jaroslav Bukovina from SAPIE<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Venture Client Model?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It might sound complicated, but it’s actually quite simple: Instead of investing in a startup, you simply become its customer.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe company asks: We have a specific problem. Is there a startup that can solve it better and faster than we can ourselves? If so, we buy their solution, test it in a pilot, and if it works, we deploy it,\u201d <\/em> explains Jaroslav. No complex legal contracts regarding shares, no waiting three years for a result. The entire cycle can take just 3 to 6 months. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Barriers to innovation in Slovakia<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to Jaroslav, there are two barriers. The first is <\/span>structural<\/b>. Many of our companies are subsidiaries, and innovation decisions are made at headquarters. \u201cHowever, that is also an opportunity,\u201d<\/em> says Jaroslav. \u201cIf a manager in Slovakia understands how Venture Clienting works and sells it to headquarters, they can open the door for the entire group.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

The second barrier is psychological<\/b>. You often hear: \u201cWe are too big a company to depend on a small startup.\u201d But this isn’t about dependence; it’s about testing. A pilot with a startup is cheaper and faster than internal development. If it doesn’t work out, you stop it without major losses.
\n<\/em> <\/p>\n

\u201cIf a manager in Slovakia understands how Venture Clienting works and sells it to headquarters, they can open the door for the entire group.\u201d – Jaroslav Bukovina.<\/em>
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Learn from the best: Summer School with BMW Garage<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If this approach interests you, a unique opportunity is coming as part of the SAPIE program. Summer School with Gregor Gimmy. Gregor is no theorist. He is the person who, in 2014 at BMW, figured out how to adopt startup technologies faster and built the famous BMW Startup Garage. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGregor made mistakes that we can learn from. Course participants won’t be solving fictional textbook examples; they will be working on their real corporate problems,\u201d <\/em> adds Jaroslav.<\/span><\/p>\n

Who is the course for?<\/strong><\/h6>\n