Networking as a lever for Improving Innovation Ecosystem in SK and facilitating the unicorns´ forest

By project UnicornQuest

Published on 28 February 2025

Slovakia

Bratislavský kraj

About this good practice

The Slovak government currently operates several financial support schemes. The first system is the subsidy scheme to create clusters, set their core activities, and build partnerships and cooperation. The second financial support scheme is the non-reimbursable financial contribution for ESIF, with a maximum of €200,000. The third financial scheme is the subsidy scheme from the budget of the Ministry of Economy, with subsidies ranging from €10,000 to €75,000.
Based on this foundation, the Slovak Battery Alliance (SBaA), driven by its founding member, the startup InoBat, was established. Founded in 2019, SBaA operates as an independent advocacy group and industry cluster, aiming to enhance Slovakia's participation in the European battery value chain. It serves as an executive platform for cooperation among the public and private sectors, innovators, the academic community, and financial institutions. Its goal is to participate in the battery value chain in Europe. Clusters supported by the European Union have recently become viewed as important entities with the potential to jump-start and significantly increase the innovation potential of their members.
The case of InoBat and other Slovak entities successfully participating in the IPCEI calls is a prime example of how concerted action and support from the umbrella organization (SBaA) contribute to the development of the entire ecosystem.

Resources needed

Management, administrative and organisational support tasks within the cluster organisation (employees of the cluster and member organisations).

Evidence of success

SbaA is involved in several nationally funded projects as TIK SUNFLOWERS, with focus on communication activities, preparation of trainings, courses, workshops, popularization activities and organization of meetings and presentations. Workshops (2 per year) and communication activities reached more than 200 participants. Together with Inohub Energy company and Fecupral, SBaA is one of the commercial partners working on TIK project SUNFLOWERS funded by Recovery and Resilience Plan in Slovakia.

Potential for learning or transfer

SBaA actively supports R&D projects focusing on innovations in batteries, energy storage, and hydrogen systems.

While there is no link with cluster politics, the battery issue concerns Slovakia due to the automotive manufacturing industry and supply chains. This GP is interesting predominantly for regions with a strong presence of car manufacturers that can benefit from partnerships for R&D and capitalize on capacitating a workforce and academic ecosystem to further develop the battery industry, such as is the case for Slovakia with Jaguar-Land Rover, Volkswagen, KIA, PSA (western Slovakia) and Volvo (eastern Slovakia).
In general, the biggest obstacle is the currently slowed down transition to electronic vehicles. This current economic climate might hamper the battery industry from larger developments until the EU introduces new support measures for the introduction of e-vehicles.