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Slovenia Biotech Hills
With Us Into the Future

Introduction

Slovenia
The Future of Biotechnology Research, Innovation, and Manufacturing in Europe

The Slovenia Biotech Hills initiative serves as a dynamic business accelerator in the field of biotechnology, placing Slovenia on the global map of biotechnological innovation.

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With the support of governmental structures, we aim to make Slovenia the most attractive destination for biotechnological investments, development, production, and education.

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With its strategic location at the heart of Europe and exceptional safety, Slovenia offers an ideal environment for growth and development.

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As the first initiative of its kind in Slovenia, Slovenia Biotech Hills focuses on strategic partnerships, international recognition, and innovative collaboration.

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Our goal is to promote knowledge exchange, attract investments, and build supportive legislation that will enable all stakeholders to advance and progress in the biotechnology sector.

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About Us

Why Slovenia Biotech Hills?

A Tradition in Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals

The biotechnology sector, along with pharmaceuticals, contributes more than 6% of Slovenia's GDP and directly and indirectly employs more than 50,000 people.

High Added Value and Top Talent

The sector employs highly educated professionals who generate double the added value compared to the Slovenian average. Companies from this sector accounted for 34% of Slovenia's total exports last year.

Innovations Thrive in Slovenia

The business environment in Slovenia is conducive to research and development. Slovenians are known as one of the most innovative nations in Europe, with the number of biotechnological patent applications in Slovenia increasing by 15% annually. Pharmaceutical companies in Slovenia invest approximately 180 million euros in research and development annually, contributing to the rapid growth of the biotechnology sector.

Regarding to the number of doctorates obtained by adults between the ages of 25 and 64, Slovenia ranks first in the world. (1)

Source: (1) https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/phd-percentage-by-country

On the 2024 European index of knowledge and skills, Slovenia ranks among the top in Europe.(1)(2)

Source:
(1) https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/tools/european-skills-index/country/slovenia
(2) https://wisevoter.com/country-rankings/most-educated-countries/

Slovenia is extremely successful in terms of the vitality of ecosystems, as it ranks second globally. Biodiversity is the most concentrated in terms of the country's area. Slovenia is also one of the most forested countries in the EU with clean water.(1)(2)

Source:
(1) https://pebblemag.com/most-eco-friendly-countries/
(2) https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/greenest-countries

Objectives of the initiative

The key objective is the preparation of a development strategy for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector up to 2030, accompanied by an action plan for short-term measures for the year 2026. This strategy will be integrated into Slovenia's comprehensive industrial strategy and, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Tourism, and Sport, aligned with the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. This forms the foundation for establishing the most advanced and sustainable biotechnology ecosystem in Europe, based on the following measures:

Creating Advanced Legislation

Our goal is to adopt a National Strategy that will encourage the development of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical sector, and to establish a legislative framework with minimal administrative burden to attract talent and innovation.

Encouraging Investments

By attracting new investors, we aim to increase biotechnological jobs and achieve high added value per employee in line with the country's strategic goals.

Education and Training

Developing specialized educational programs and additional laboratory spaces to attract the best domestic and foreign talents.

Core Investments and Research

Encouraging investments in public research institutions and utilizing all available financial mechanisms to support biotechnology as a strategic industry.

Implementing Tax Incentives

Reduction of tax burdens on labor and providing tax benefits to attract highly qualified professionals and boost productivity and competitiveness in the biotechnology sector.

The potential is enormous, and by building and developing this ecosystem, we are also exploiting it to strengthen innovation, development, economic competitiveness, and Slovenia's success.

Who we are

The Slovenia Biotech Hills initiative comprises five founding partners:

Supporters

Strategic partners

Development promoters

Media Center

Events and media

Slovenija seeks to become biotech hub

The government has signed a letter of intent with the Biotech Hills institute, a newly-established business accelerator in biotechnology. The partnership seeks to make Slovenia the most attractive destination in Europe for R&D, manufacturing and investment in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

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La Slovenia investe nelle biotecnologie

La Slovenia punta a diventare un polo di attrazione a livello regionale per le biotecnologie.

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Positioning Slovenia as the European Hub for Biotech Innovation

Slovenia Biotech Hills - business accelerator is committed to establishing Slovenia as the premier biotech ecosystem in Europe. We aim to make Slovenia the top destination for biotech start-ups, SMEs, large companies, and innovators, fostering an environment conducive to research, manufacturing, and the training of a highly skilled workforce.

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Archive

Become a partner

Cooperation and partnership with the Biotech Hills institute is possible in two ways. A strategic partnership is only possible at the invitation of the board of the institute or one of the members of the board of the institution, while the partnership of development promoters is open to anyone.

Join us