Impact Launchpad Concludes Its Second Season:
Spotlight on a New Generation of Entrepreneurs Driving Social and Environmental Change
- Impact Hub Slovenia
On Monday, 23 March, the second season of the Impact Launchpad programme, delivered by Impact Hub Slovenia and the Slovenian Youth Agency (SLOAM), came to a close. The programme once again brought together diverse teams developing solutions to key social and environmental challenges. After several weeks of intensive work, participants presented their ideas at the final event at
Triglav Lab, where this year’s winners were also announced.
Impact Launchpad supports individuals and teams in the early stages of idea development who aim to shape their projects into sustainable and viable business models. Throughout the programme, participants refined these models, tested their solutions on the market and strengthened their presentation skills, equipping them for the next steps – from market entry to building partnerships or seeking investors.
This year’s programme welcomed 30 teams, of which the 15 best advanced to the final. At the concluding event, the following top teams presented their solutions:
- GoodBuy: A mobile app that helps users reduce impulsive purchases and encourages thoughtful, financially responsible decision-making.
- My Friend Lumii: An AI assistant that prepares personalised learning tasks, monitors student wellbeing and provides an overview of progress.
- Nexora-Mindgrip: A platform that leverages psychotherapeutic methods, organisational psychology and AI to strengthen employee resilience and enhance insights into team dynamics.
- Specally: Developers of a non-invasive hyperspectral imaging device for AI-assisted detection of skin cancer.
- Tabori Brez izgovora: A summer programme offering pupils a safe environment for growth through nature, movement and learning about health and wellbeing.
- Tarot balkanska folklora: An original project comprising 22 ritual cards and a handbook, offering a contemporary interpretation of Balkan folklore.
- Unplugged Apps: An ethical mobile app ecosystem designed to reduce digital distractions and enhance user privacy.
The expert jury – Luka Radičević, Jan Peloza, Nina Bavčar Čargo, Tanja Kovačič, Boris Popov, Alenka Slavec Gomezel, Jan Habat and Edina Mulec– selected the winners based on the clarity of the problem, the innovativeness of the solution, feasibility and long-term impact. The final score also included the teams’ progress as assessed by mentors, as well as the public vote, which determined the audience’s favourite.
The winner of the second season of Impact Launchpad was Specally, followed by GoodBuy in second place and Tabori Brez izgovora in third.
Participants were also addressed by Jan Habat, co-founder of Fresh 32, who shared his entrepreneurial journey as a guest speaker. The event continued with a panel discussion on team building and co-founder relationships, where participants reflected on the challenges and opportunities of the early stages of entrepreneurial development.
“This year’s generation of entrepreneurs impressed us with the quality of their work and the clarity of their expectations. They sought support in developing their business models and integrating social impact into their products. Our recent recognition by the Financial Times and Statista as one of the top 60 start-up support environments in Europe certainly contributed, and it further motivates us to continue working with young entrepreneurs,” said Jan Peloza, CEO of Impact Hub Slovenia.
Beyond the competition, the final event offered space for networking, exchange of experiences and new connections, strengthening the community of socially and environmentally driven entrepreneurs.
Impact Launchpad is part of a wider support ecosystem for social innovation development, known as the Impact Pathway, which Impact Hub Slovenia builds through programmes such as the Social Impact Award and Impact Next. The programme serves as an important bridge between an idea and its realisation.. The programme serves as an important bridge between an idea and its realisation.
The winning teams will receive financial awards as well as further support for their continued development, including mentorship, access to a network of experts and opportunities to join upcoming programmes.
Applications for the next season of Impact Launchpad will open in autumn 2026.
