Ljubljana - A two-day investment conference named Next Round got under way on Tuesday that will see 80 investors from Central and Eastern Europe meet the best startups from Slovenia and 25 more countries. The online event, co-organised by the Slovenian Enterprise Fund, will also be addressed by Economy Minister Zdravko Počivalšek.

Technology Park Ljubljana, another among multiple organisers, announced the first day would be dedicated to topics crucial for the growth of startups. These include an increase in private investment into venture capital and a transfer of scientific breakthroughs to the market.

An emphasis will be put on closer ties within the region and easier, faster and cheaper entry of small companies into markets.

Participants will moreover be addressed by the director of the Slovenian Enterprise Fund, Maja Tomanič Vidovič, the vice-president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Lilyana Pavlova, and the presidents of both European associations of business angels, Peter Cowley and Luigi Amati.

The programme includes a panel debate with experts, investors and decision makers that will address key issues related to the development of start-ups in the coming years.

Wednesday's part is reserved for individual meetings. The participating investors represent early-stage investing funds and private angel groups with over EUR 2 billion in investment potential, Technology Park Ljubljana said.