Many startups are also bootstrapping – financing their growth from their revenues – and can thus finance their development without capital rising. Additionally, Slovenian startups are among the most active in the world in certain specific areas, with the most prominent example being crypto-currencies and ICO’s. Many such startups are operating in Slovenia and their results will only become apparent in the next years. Some estimations hint that as many as a third of the funding might be stealth funding.
In 2016, more than 70% of the funding came from VC funds – mostly foreign ones. More than 10% came from different crowdfunding initiatives, especially Kickstarter where Slovenian projects are among the most successful (per capita) in the world. However, government and accelerator funding are the most important according to the number of supported startups, showing their importance in the early stages of startup development. Only 5% of the capital invested is coming from Slovenian investors, however, showing that the capital market remains under-developed even in Slovenia – probably the most developed country in the whole region.
Startup Slovenia is interested in creating new collaborations, meeting with investors and discussing potential opportunities that can improve the Slovenian ecosystem.