Investors Business Conference
Join the most edgy investment conference where we cultivate knowledge,
foster connections and praise great investments.
Snapshots from the event
Program

ABOUT THE INVESTORS EDGE CONFERENCE

In investing, success rarely comes from chance. It comes from having an edge.

An investment edge is the advantage that allows investors to consistently make better decisions, identify opportunities earlier and create stronger returns over time. While the idea sounds simple, building the right environment where such advantages can emerge is far from easy.

The most successful investors develop their edge through three key dimensions: access to better information, stronger analytical insight and disciplined investment behaviour.

The Investors Edge Conference is designed to bring these advantages together in one place. Through knowledge, cross-border collaboration and meaningful connections, we create the conditions where investors can sharpen their edge and discover new opportunities.

Join us at one of the most dynamic investment gatherings in the region — where ideas, capital and experience meet to shape the next generation of successful investments.

When?
9 -10 June 2026
Where?
EPIC Center, Nova Gorica, Slovenia
Snapshots from the event
Participation is free of charge upon registration.
Due to limited capacity, we recommend securing your spot early.

WHY ATTEND?

Would you like to know why the conference will definitely be worthwhile?

From Local Capital to Global Opportunities.

Finding the next great addition to your investment portfolio is rarely about luck – it’s about being in the right place, surrounded by the right people.

Central and Southeastern Europe are rapidly emerging as a powerful investment landscape. From Slovenia and Italy to the wider region, ambitious founders are building companies with global potential.

The Investors Edge Conference creates the bridges where capital, knowledge and opportunity meet. Investors, entrepreneurs and experts from multiple countries gather in one place to share insights, explore markets and discover new ventures.

Discover new markets. Meet exceptional founders.
Understand the advantages and challenges of investing across different countries.
Find the next opportunity for your portfolio.

Two days of practical knowledge, cross-border insights and carefully curated investment opportunities.

Come and see what’s next.

Reserve your spot – seats are limited.

Snapshots from the event
Participation is free of charge upon registration.
Due to limited capacity, we recommend securing your spot early.

PROGRAM

The Investment Bridges 2026 – From Local Capital to Global Opportunities.

Discover what awaits you at The Investors Edge.
More speakers and sessions will be announced soon.

Tuesday, 9 June

08:00 - 08:45

REGISTRATION

09:00 – 09:15 STRATEGIC OPENING

Where Capital Is Moving Next — And Who Gets Access

Samo Turel,
Mayor of the Municipality of Nova Gorica

09:15 – 09:35

Angel Investing: Your Fastest Entry Into Deal Flow

Dr. Žiga Vavpotič

09:35 – 10:20 PANEL 1 – SLOVENIA Bridge

From Slovenia to Global Deals: What Actually Works – Learning from the Best 

Nina Urbanič, Maša Šiftar, Guri Koiava (panelists) dr. Žiga Vavpotič (moderator)

09:35 – 10:20

SIDE EVENT - Vesna Deep Tech Venture Fund: Expert Advisory Panel

10:20 – 10:50

Coffee Break

10:50 – 11:35 PANEL 2 – MENA Bridge

Cross-Border Investment: Capital Flows Between Europe, MENA, Africa & Georgia 

Magdy Shehata, Thomaz Dominguez, George Simongulashvili (panelists), Dana Al Salem (moderator) 

11:35 – 12:20 PANEL 3 Ecosystem Foundations

What Makes an Investment Ecosystem Actually Work (and Fail)

Jana Budkovskaja

12:20 – 13:20

Investors Lunch

13:20 – 13:50

Deep Tech: Investing Before the Market Exists

Shubber Ali

13:50 – 14:35 PANEL 4 ESG & Impact Investing

Impact Investing: Alpha or Illusion?

Dalibor Marijanović, Marco Gullà (panelists)

14:35 – 15:05

Coffee Break

15:05 – 15:50 PANEL 5 Angels & Early Stage VC

What Smart Angels & Early VCs Do Next

Christoph Berndt, Iva Rakočević, Walid O. El Cheickh (panelists), Karlo Kukec (moderator)

15:50 – 16:20 Closing Roundtable - Adriatic Bridge Part 1

Fireside Chat

The Missing Million:  A Slovenian founder, the €1M round that wasn't there, and the bridge Pan-Adria is building. Rok Habinc, CFA — Founding Partner, Pan-Adria VentureOne

16:20 – 17:00 Closing Roundtable - Adriatic Bridge Part 2

Building Investment Bridges That Actually Deliver Returns

Regional roundtable with representatives from: Albania, North Macedonia (Elena Hajdi Pecova, CEED Macedonia), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sabina Selvič, BHBAN), Croatia (Mihovil Barančić, CBAN), Serbia (Danijela Grubnić) and Slovenia (panelists), Niko Slavnič (moderator).

17:00 - 19.00

Smuggling tour – Optional Experience

20:00 Exclusive Investors’ Gala Dinner

A limited number of seats available     Venue: Restaurant Tiffany, Hotel Park

Prepare for an extraordinary evening of networking, culinary excellence, and sophisticated entertainment. The atmosphere will reach new heights with a captivating live musical performance by the sensational Ajda Podgornik Valič, adding a touch of pure elegance and a true "wow" factor to this memorable night.

Participation is free of charge upon registration.
Due to limited capacity, we recommend securing your spot early.
We are fully booked. 🤩

Wednesday, 10 June

09:00 – 10:00 WORKSHOPS

Three workshops will run in parallel. Please select your preferred session during registration.

Becoming a Lead Investor – Driving Deals That Win

Guest Expert from Estonia - Jana Budkovskaja

This workshop dives into the pivotal role of a lead investor. Learn how to identify high-potential startups, structure deals, manage syndicates and add real strategic value — positioning yourself to lead investments that deliver maximum impact and returns.

The Exit Table: Interests, Power, and Mindset Shaping Exit Outcomes

Mohamed Shehab Eldin  

The exit process is driven by different interests, intentions, perceptions of power, and mindsets, shaping the process in ways that are often unexpected.

Beyond numbers and valuation there are moments where:
incentives collide, alignment fractures, leverage shifts, relationships are tested under pressure.
emotions influence judgment, behavior, and decision-making,

This workshop explores exits as living negotiations shaped throughout the investment journey, exploring how to navigate towards a successful process, for all parties. Participants should leave with:
sharper awareness of negotiation dynamics during exits, stronger understanding of alignment and leverage,
practical tools for navigating complex stakeholders dialogue.

Is middle management officially obsolete? 

The role of AI in management - Darko Butina 

Jack Dorsey (Block) and Roelof Botha (Sequoia Capital) seem to think so according to their latest blog post “From hierarchy to intelligence”. While Silicon Valley only starts to understand how AI influences management, the team around RELIABL.IT has been writing about the topic already since 2023 - besides being active developing RELIABL.IT Management OS, which helps companies lead their strategy and business successfully in the ever changing environment. 
In the workshop you will learn why AI isn’t just a tool; why it's a structural reset for business, driving complete transformation in how organizations think, decide, and grow.
Above all, you will get practical insight on how to successfully execute AI transformation, rather than just observing it.
10:00 – 11:30 Adriatic Investors Annual meetup in person with a special guest from Georgia - Ketevan Aghoshashvili

Business angels of Slovenia and Adriatic Investors member event only. Interested to become a member? Contact us via info@businessangels.si.

11:30 – 13:00 We Heard You: Networking & Exploration

We listened to your wishes for more time to network, share open conversations, and explore Nova Gorica. This dedicated time is now entirely yours to deepen connections with representatives of international networks and discover the beautiful city at your own pace.

The organizer reserves the right to make minor changes to the program and speaker lineup if necessary.

SPEAKERS

SAMO TUREL

Mayor of the Municipality of Nova Gorica
"The Goriška region is a distinctive, open and well-ventilated crossroads, looking both east and west, where cross-border cooperation is part of everyday life. Through the European Capital of Culture project, which Nova Gorica has co-created together with neighbouring Gorizia in Italy, we have gained additional international visibility and strengthened our global promotion. Our region is home to many start-ups and high-tech companies, supported also by the Primorski tehnološki park, and it stands out for its strong infrastructure connectivity and proximity to key centres such as Ljubljana, Trieste, Udine and Venice. We also take pride in our highly educated workforce and strong educational profile. The Municipality of Nova Gorica, in cooperation with other institutions, is systematically building an effective support ecosystem for economic development and new investments. We are open to initiatives from start-ups, companies, club members, international investors and experts and to partnerships that bring knowledge, growth and long-term added value to our area."

ŽIGA VAVPOTIČ

Bora Partners
"Capital is no longer national, it is thematic, strategic, and searching for ecosystems that understand scale. The Investors Edge matters because it connects small but ambitious markets with global capital flows. It reminds us that angel investors are not just early supporters. They are the first institutional mindset in a startup’s journey. If the Adriatic region wants to compete globally, we must build cross-border investment bridges, syndicate more, and act as one interconnected innovation space."

NINA URBANIČ

Slovene Enterprise Fund
“Slovene Enterprise Fund – investing in growth where it matters most.”

SHUBBER ALI

Omnic.ai
“The most transformative technologies don’t follow venture timelines. Deep tech demands patient capital, long horizons, and investors willing to bet on physics before profits.”

MARCO GULLÀ

Zambon
“The Investor Edge is the right place to talk about impact, bringing together investors actively shaping the space. That’s exactly why women’s health belongs in this conversation: sharing what we’re building in the Women’s Health sector, what others are doing and what impact really means in practice.”

IVA RAKOČEVIĆ

Elevator Ventures
"The Investors Edge is where capital meets conviction before the rest of the market catches up."

WALID O. EL CHEIKH

BSV Ventures
"Coming from the Finnish ecosystem, I’ve seen how trust, resilience and transparency act as the ultimate catalysts for investment returns. I'm here to bring that perspective to the Adriatic Bridge."

KARLO KUKEC

Vesna Deep tech Venture Fund
"In the world of high stakes, a gambler plays the odds, but a smart investor finds the edge. You will sharpen your edge at Investors edge. You can bet on it!"

CHRISTOPH BERNDT

FinanceWise
"Events like The Investors Edge matter — not just because they bring investors together, but because of the conversations that happen in the room. It's not only about how to invest; it's about improving the investing landscape as a whole. That means raising the bar for the startups across the local ecosystems, by asking harder questions, by challenging them more, because they are competing at a global level. And so are we, as investors. The two go hand in hand.”

VUK LAU

Silicon Gardens
"Supporter of The Investor Edge since the first edition. Getting this many investors in one room is rare. Getting them to actually talk to each other - even rarer. That's the edge."

DANIJELA GRUBNIĆ

Inicijativa „Digitalna Srbija“
"The Investors Edge because meaningful regional investing runs on straightforward, supportive, no-fluff collaboration, and this is where we turn that belief into deals and actionable steps.”

VINÍCIUS DE THOMAZ DOMINGUES

Desertx^
"Cross-border capital is no longer opportunistic — it’s structural. Europe, MENA, Africa and Eurasian corridors are becoming interdependent capital systems. The Investors Edge is where we move from conversation to coordinated execution."

JANA BUDKOVSKAJA

BSV Ventures
One aware about ecology knows the edge or the boarder of the ecosystem means increase of the diversity and resilinence. Being on the edge we learn from different narratives and experiences, we aquire knowledge from diffent parties and by this excel the interaction with other ecosystems. The Investors Edge is the moment in the time and space where people are open-minded, educative and lean to find innovative solutions.

GURI KOIAVA

Forbes Georgia
“The market rewards those who study, wait, and strike with conviction. That is the investor’s edge — and it is earned, never given.”

MAGDY SHEHATA

Söderhub
“Investor’s Edge was a pleasant surprise. I loved meeting investors from across Europe and spending time with sharp entrepreneurs. It’s not just talk, it’s real conversations and hands-on collaboration. I’m genuinely happy to be back this year.”

DARKO BUTINA

Reliabl.it
"Silicon Valley can learn from others!"

NIKO SLAVNIĆ

IEDC
"How to invest better? As an investor this is my favourite regional conference for developing partnerships and improving my skills. Bringing together investors, scale ups, startups and leaders to explore the present and future of capital, innovation, and scaling. It fosters high-level dialogue on investments while enabling cross-border collaboration, actionable insights, and accelerating investment deals - this is the real value of TIE."

ROK HABINC

Pan-Adria Partners
"Twentyfive years in venture and private equity have taught me that, in Central and Southeastern Europe, an investor's edge is rarely about access to deal flow — it is about access to the people whose judgment you trust on which deals are real. The Investors Edge is exactly that room: investor to investor, no one pitching anyone, with the candour you only get when founders are not in the conversation. Two days here is where investors in this region quietly sharpen their edge."

MAŠA ŠIFTAR

Consulate General of Slovenia in Munich
"Let's unite all European resources - human, financial, creative, innovative, and spiritual – and make Europe great again!"

DANA AL SALEM

Meridan Partners
"In an increasingly dynamic interconnected world, building bridges between communities, sharing perspectives and identifying opportunities is critical. Economic development and investment priorities differ from country to country, therefore sharing these insights is key to building successful global ecosystems. The Investors Edge creates this platform, bringing us together for discussions on future trends, capital movement and knowledge sharing. We leave transformed, with a new lens on possibilities and long term partnerships."

SABINA SELVIĆ ORUČEVIĆ 

BHBAN
“The future of investing in this region belongs to those who build infrastructure for access—bridging markets, aligning capital, and enabling earlier, smarter decisions. Real investment edge comes from connected markets and aligned capital, and it’s encouraging to see The Investor Edge creating space for exactly that.”

KETEVAN AGHOSHASHVILI

SmartCLM
"I am excited to join The Investors Edge 2026 to showcase Georgia’s rapidly evolving investment landscape. Georgia has become a premier destination for those seeking a business-friendly environment with strategic tax advantages. I look forward to sharing how our expertise at IBCCS TAX Georgia helps international investors navigate this dynamic gateway between Europe and Asia and unlock its full potential"

GEORGE SIMONGULASHVILI

GEC - Business Growth Services
"I am keen to accelerate cross-border investments in wider geographic areas such as Europe, MENA, Caucasus, and Central Asia, and build a system (not talking about software) for these cross-border investments to flow. Therefore, I believe that meeting like-minded people on InvestorsEdge will make these happen together and faster."

DALIBOR MARIJANOVIĆ

Vesna deeptech Venture Fund
"The real investor edge is the ability to turn complex science into conviction and conviction into capital."

MOHAMED SHEHAB ELDIN

RESOLVE Consulting
"“TIE brings the right people together to talk about the right things, get inspired, and build momentum. A rich experience with insightful, engaging, and fruitful interactions, while somehow having fun. All carefully curated by a dedicated team, paying attention to ALL details, leading TIE to grow into such a successful platform. I cannot wait to reconnect with the amazing TIE crowd. And, Slovenia in the summer…a major bonus!”

KEITH WALLACE

Hivos Impact Investments
"It’s rare that one fully looks forward to an investment conference. But Investors Edge falls into that category. Not only is it highly informative; it’s also a place where one gets to form close partnerships on a personal and business level. Nina and her team make it a place that one wishes to return to - and to commit to. May it live on for many years."

Ajda Podgornik Valič

Ajda Podgornik Valič, performing under the artistic name Ajda, is a young singer from Skrilje whose music is deeply rooted in emotion and authenticity. For her, music represents healing, expression, and connection through every stage of life. She regularly performs as a solo artist at various cultural and public events while also developing her own original music. So far, she has released four original songs — Kot eno, Čas da zaživiš, Dež, and Pelješ me do tja — all accompanied by visually expressive music videos available on her YouTube channel. Through her music, Ajda hopes to share emotion, inspire connection, and touch people’s hearts.
Organised by
Funded by
Supporting Partners
Sponsors
Media Partners

The program is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund. It is implemented under the program “Content Support for Faster Global and Sustainable Growth of Innovative SMEs (DevelopmentPlus Program)” as part of the European Cohesion Policy Program for the 2021–2027 period.

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