SARIO Business Day 2026 Košice

Chamber of Commerce Association in cooperation with SARIO cordially invite you to Business Day event with practical information, solutions, consultations & inspiration for companies from the BANSKÁ BYSTRICA REGION with the opportunity for b2b negotiations with potential business partners.

The matchmaking event is organized by SARIO under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic an in cooperation with Innovation Centre of the Košice Region, project Support for the internationalization of SMEs 2 co-financed by EU via Program Slovensko.

EVENT PROGRAM
8.00—9.00 Registration

9.00—9.10 Opening Remarks
Egon Zorád, CEO, SARIO


9.15—10.05 Regional Economic Growth — Synergy of Government, Region, and Innovation
Why the cooperation between the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, the Košice Self-Governing Region, international investors, and SARIO is strategic for increasing regional competitiveness.

Moderator: Peter Rusiňák, AmCham Slovakia
Speakers:
- Vladimír Šimoňák, State Secretary, Ministry of Economy of the SR
- Rastislav Trnka, chairman, Košice Self-Governing Region
- Egon Zorád, CEO, SARIO
- Peter Mészáros, Rector, Technical University of Košice
- Marc Gombeer, Plant Director, Volvo Car Košice


10.10—10.55 Industrial Transformation and Trends
Robotics and AI as Drivers of Regional Manufacturing
Integration of intelligent technologies and Smart Industry

Moderator: Ján Jaš, AmCham Slovakia
Speakers:
- Lenka Sluková, Technodat
- Peter Ištoňa, Magna International

The Region in the Era of Supply Chain Transformation: Where to Find Added Value?
The discussion will focus on strategic changes in the automotive industry under the influence of new EU regulation, which conditions state support to a high share of European components (70%) in electric vehicles. This legislative framework opens up unique opportunities for the Košice region and eastern Slovakia. Opportunities and challenges in the automotive industry for SMEs and startups. Opportunities and challenges in the automotive industry for SMEs and startups.

Moderator: Viliam Ostatník, Adapt Institute
Speakers:
- Juraj Girman, IT Valley
- Karol Grülling, Ness Digital Engineering
- Ľubor, Žatko, Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia


11.00—12.15 Tools for Growth and Expansion
Pro-export Tools in Practice – A Local Company’s Success Story
- Daniel Ondruš, SARIO
- Štefan Szöke, Rokosan

Export Financing – How to Mitigate Risks and Grow in Foreign Markets
- Koloman Buzgó, ČSOB

Investment Aid in Practice – Company Modernization and Expansion
- Peter Mikula, SARIO
- Hynek Weiss, Kuenz

Supporting SME Internationalization – Growth Tools
- Juraj Čorba, SARIO

Business Košice: A New Economic Story of the City
Answers to key questions on how to attract and retain talent, how to create an attractive environment for business and investment, and how to support the development of innovation and new opportunities.
- Peter Šoltés, Business Košice


12.20—13.25 Innovation and New Horizons
Innovation Centre of the Košice Region — From Idea to Global Business
The Innovation Centre of the Košice Region will present its support ecosystem for startups and technology companies. In a joint discussion with representatives of successful local startups, the session will explore real pathways to investment, mentoring, and business scaling in a region that is becoming a new innovation hub.

Moderator: Peter Breyl, ICKK
Speakers:
- Miroslav Hennel, Owasmooth
- Lukáš Řezanina, Nordics

Bridging Science and Business: Horizon Europe
Space – A Matrix of Infinite Opportunities
- Kristián Ondáč, Slovak Space Office (SARIO)
- Marek Kožarík, GEODETICCA
- Marek Košuda, Východoslovenský vesmírny klaster, ESA BIC Slovakia

Reconstruction of Ukraine – Opportunities and Schemes for Slovak Companies
- Maroš Paulini, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic


13.30 Lunch Break

14.00—17.00 B2B Meetings and Expert Consultations
Pre-scheduled bilateral meetings based on individual selection and timing, networking, and meetings with the event’s expert partners

REGISTRATION
Register at https://sariobusinessday2026.sario.events/ by May 18, 2026.
We will be happy to send you a 10% discount code for a member