Twelve golden and 25 silver awards were given out to companies specialising in a number of different fields.Addressing the ceremony at the Brdo pri Kranju conference centre, President Borut Pahor said that innovative entrepreneurship was the driving force for growth and competitiveness.

"The ability to innovate allows companies to adjust quickly to new circumstances in the international space. Only a highly innovative company can keep its competitive edge," the president added.

Golden awards were conferred to Aereform for a virtual reality flying simulator, BSH Hišni aparati, a subsidiary of Bosch, for OptuMUM, a multi-function mixer, and Cetis for a poly-carbon data page in passports.

Danfoss Trata got the golden award for a smart hydronic drive for NovoCon air quality and temperature regulation systems, while skis maker Elan got the same award for foldable touring skis. ETI and eNeM were honoured for the development of thermostat elements.

Gorenje got a golden award for SmartFlex dishwashers, while Iskraemeco was awarded for its smart electric metres platform. Moreover, Krka was awarded for improvements in the production of candesartan cilexetil, while Ledinek Engineering was honoured for developing a special planing procedure.

Lek and Slovenija Development Centre were awarded for developing a child-friendly antibiotic, while Acroni and Jesenice Development Centre were honoured for developing a process path in the making of SINOXX 4542 inox steel.

While Lek said innovations in Slovenia were hindered by a lot of red tape, Sašo Knez of Aereform focused on the positive, saying that his entire team had been educated in the public education system.

"This is of great importance and I believe that we all need to strive to preserve this and improve the quality of our schools," Knez underlined.