SARIO is proactively developing new services, in particular supporting Slovak innovative solutions, diversifying the economy towards promising, fast-growing sectors and linking universities with companies.The aim of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) is to support the inflow of foreign direct investments to Slovakia and to support the export of Slovak entities. As part of its tailor-made pro-client activities, SARIO has expanded its portfolio to include new activities reflecting the current market situation. The new services are intended to increase the competitiveness of local companies by introducing innovative solutions in existing plants (Industry 4.0) and diversifying the Slovak economy.SARIO INNOVATION SERVICES new platform of the agency, interconnecting the needs of its main clients - big investors established in Slovakia with Slovak technology companies providing customized solutions MADE IN SLOVAKIA.The innovative SARIO services create specific business opportunities for Slovak technology companies, on the other hand, this platform enables the implementation of innovative solutions in existing local companies that streamline their operations in accordance with Industry 4.0 principles.SARIO plans to scale the activity beyond Slovakia as well as actively identify various venture capital financing opportunities for Slovak technology companies. SARIO provides this service through specialized tailor-made innovative events.As of November 30, 2019, SARIO organized (since launch in 3Q 2017):• 21 organized innovation workshops/events• 154 presentations of Slovak companies in front of major corporations• 54 follow-up meetings• 23 exchanged bid requests• 11 pilot projects (concluded contracts for Slovak technology companies) SARIO DIVERSIFICATION SERVICES - new pilot project of the SARIO agency aimed at supporting the diversification of the Slovak economy and the development of high-technology sectors by creating new business and R&D opportunities for local companies. The first sectors we focused on are the space and aerospace industries. They bring not only high technology, but also a high return on investment, and at the same time open wide opportunities for companies operating in various sectors, especially electrical engineering, IT engineering, but also the automotive industry.In total, as of November 30, 2019, we organized 4 events focused on matchmaking of local companies with strong foreign players. This cooperation can take Slovak innovators well forward. As a result, 3 international projects (in the field of production or development) have been launched and 3 others are in the planning stage. Another significant effect is the visibility of Slovakia in the eyes of other potential foreign partners, which is already evident in their increasing interest in Slovakia.In addition to creating opportunities for new partnerships, the main component of diversification services is the consultative support for entry into these sectors for companies that are not yet active in them but have significant technological potential. SARIO is currently working with dozens of such companies.In addition to its efforts to support the growth of Slovak firms and investments with higher added value, SARIO also seeks to proactively respond to the new challenges that firms in Slovakia face. The low availability of skilled labor is increasingly a barrier to the development of innovative firms and hampers the transition to the knowledge economy and Industry 4.0. According to surveys, investor satisfaction with the quality of academic education is low and over the years it has been decreasing and, moreover, the skills of graduates do not reflect the needs of the labor market, as a result of the lack of cooperation between universities and practice. Therefore, at the turn of 2018/2019 SARIO launched a successful pilot project PRACTICE FOR UNIVERSITIES, SOLUTIONS FOR COMPANIES focused on their interconnection.The pilot project involved 2 technical faculties of Alexander Dubček University, Faculty of Special Engineering in Trenčín and Faculty of Industrial Technology in Púchov and 10 Slovak and foreign companies (COMPARE, GA Drilling, GGB Slovakia, Kamea Electronics, LEDeco, MERCHANT, REA SLOVTEAM, SKC foundry, Sadlon Technologies and ZLH plus). The project brought positive results in the form of joint research and development projects, diploma and dissertation topics and internships for students.This SARIO initiative met with positive feedback from businesses and faculties and requests for expansion, so the agency launched the second year of this project with nationwide scope. The aim of all these new services and projects is to improve conditions for Slovak companies and develop their potential either by linking them with universities, which will improve the human capital of the Slovak Republic, or supporting the potential of Slovak companies to export to foreign markets, or by linking Slovak technology companies to larger, often multinational corporations and thus contributing to the growth of the Slovak economy.For more information on SARIO Innovation Serviceshttps://www.innovatewithsario.com/
