Invitation to Participate in UNI.MINDS 2026: InnoLink Project

CALL FOR PROPOSALS TO ADDRESS COMPANY CHALLENGES

The organizers of the UNI.MINDS 2026 Science and Entrepreneurship Festival, within the framework of the InnoLink project, invite you to join expert networking events and help shape the future together with leading Slovenian companies.

This is your opportunity for networking, knowledge transfer, and building strong partnerships that can lead to concrete joint projects and practical solutions.

Join us and meet:

  • 14 October 2026: Visit and networking event with PCBontime d.o.o.
  • 20 October 2026: Visit and networking event with Dravske elektrarne Maribor d.o.o.

Both companies have opened their doors for collaboration and presented key development challenges and thematic areas where they are seeking new ideas, expertise, and innovative solutions. Entrepreneurs, researchers, students, and other stakeholders from the R&I ecosystem are invited to present their competencies, ideas, or solutions and explore opportunities for joint development and business ventures.

Key Dates and Project Timeline

  • 10 September 2026: Deadline for submitting applications (ideas and competencies) via the online form
  • 18 September 2026: Notification of selection results (via email)
  • 14 October 2026: InnoLink Cerknica – company visit, pitches, and face-to-face meetings with PCBontime d.o.o.
  • 20 October 2026: InnoLink Maribor – company visit, pitches, and face-to-face meetings with Dravske elektrarne Maribor d.o.o.

Contact Information

Simona Rataj
Email: gospodarstvo@uni-lj.si
Phone: +386 70 538 283 or +386 1 2418 533

The UNI.MINDS 2026 Festival is an excellent opportunity to present your ideas and solutions to a wider circle of potential partners and connect them with real industry needs. Participation offers increased visibility, direct contact with companies seeking innovative solutions, and the opportunity to showcase selected solutions through a three-minute pitch and one-on-one meetings.

Participants will also have access to a free online workshop on effective idea pitching, learn from best-practice examples, and gain insights into the development and innovation processes of established companies.

We invite you to seize this opportunity for networking, collaboration, and the development of new innovation success stories within the framework of UNI.MINDS 2026. We look forward to receiving your proposals and meeting you.

Kind regards,
Knowledge Transfer Office, University of Ljubljana

PCBONTIME D.O.O.

CHALLENGES

Topic Area 1: Artificial Intelligence

PCB 1. AI for Strategic Communication and Digital Presence

Challenge Description

The company aims to implement a modern content management system based on artificial intelligence to optimize external communications. Current website content creation processes are fragmented, and the company has not yet established a presence on social media platforms.

The challenge includes developing:

  • A strategic plan for entering selected social media channels;
  • An AI-supported IT solution for generating text, image, or video content;
  • A system capable of transforming technical information into engaging website news and social media posts tailored to different target audiences.

Expected Results

  • Strategic framework for the company’s digital presence;
  • AI-powered tool or integrated process that automates draft generation for news and social media posts.

The solution should:

  • Simplify and accelerate content creation;
  • Automatically adapt content to different social media platforms;
  • Ensure consistency of the company’s communication tone;
  • Reduce employee workload while increasing reach and visibility.

Topic Area 2: Digitalisation

PCB 2. Digitalisation and Central Monitoring of Manufacturing Processes

Challenge Description

The production of electronic components faces data fragmentation due to machines and production lines from different manufacturers operating on incompatible systems.

The company seeks a comprehensive digitalisation solution that:

  • Collects data from all machines in one place;
  • Provides real-time machine status monitoring;
  • Enables historical data review;
  • Supports advanced analytics for identifying errors, bottlenecks, and process deviations.

Expected Results

A unified IT platform that:

  • Consolidates manufacturing data;
  • Enables rapid error detection;
  • Improves operational efficiency;
  • Enhances traceability of production parameters;
  • Reduces downtime through faster diagnostics.

Topic Area 3: Embedded Technologies

PCB 3. Embedded Systems Development Centre for Industry 4.0

Challenge Description

The company plans a strategic transition towards Industry 4.0 through the establishment of its own advanced electronics and embedded systems development unit.

The challenge involves:

  • Defining a business and technical roadmap;
  • Selecting appropriate software environments;
  • Establishing a competency centre for developers;
  • Identifying the most promising market opportunities;
  • Developing smart testing devices and optimizing bed-of-nails testing systems.

Expected Results

  • Development environment architecture;
  • Competency development model;
  • Market and technology analysis;
  • Agile testing framework for rapid prototyping and industrialisation.

Topic Area 4: Energy

PCB 4. Intelligent Management of a Hybrid Energy System (AI + Storage + Solar Power)

Challenge Description

The company operates a 246 kW solar power plant and 1 MWh battery storage system. However, control is currently limited to static schedules.

The goal is to develop an AI-based Energy Management System (EMS) capable of:

  • Real-time optimisation of energy flows;
  • Dynamic adjustment based on solar generation, consumption patterns, and market prices;
  • Autonomous charging and discharging decisions.

Expected Results

  • AI-powered energy management solution tested in a real environment;
  • Dynamic optimisation algorithms;
  • Reduced operational costs;
  • Hardware-software integration;
  • Improved peak shaving and grid responsiveness.

Topic Area 5: Circular Economy

PCB 5. Comprehensive Circular Economy System for Secondary Raw Materials

Challenge Description

The company generates increasing quantities of waste currently treated as a cost despite its potential value as a secondary raw material.

The challenge is to transition from a linear disposal model to a circular economy model.

Target materials:

  • Hard plastics;
  • Plastic films;
  • Cardboard and paper;
  • Expanded polystyrene (EPS).

Expected Results

  • Strategic waste management plan;
  • Network of recycling and reuse partners;
  • Regulatory compliance and traceability;
  • Increased recycling rates;
  • Reduced environmental footprint;
  • Revenue generation from recyclable materials.

DRAVSKE ELEKTRARNE MARIBOR D.O.O.

CHALLENGES

Topic Area 1: Artificial Intelligence

DEM 1.1. AI for Project Management and Oversight

Challenge Description

DEM uses extensive procedural documentation, process maps, and instructions. Process monitoring and compliance management are becoming increasingly complex.

The objective is a centralized solution that:

  • Guides project teams through mandatory activities;
  • Automatically verifies compliance;
  • Detects missing documentation and process deviations.

Expected Results

A solution that:

  • Improves project governance;
  • Reduces errors;
  • Enhances traceability;
  • Increases efficiency of project teams and PMOs.

DEM 1.2. Smart Hydropower Plant (AI + Data)

Challenge Description

How can artificial intelligence and advanced analytics improve hydropower plant operations?

The challenge includes integrating:

  • River flow data;
  • Weather forecasts;
  • Historical and real-time electricity demand.

Expected Results

AI-powered decision-support systems that:

  • Improve production forecasting;
  • Optimize turbine operation;
  • Increase water resource efficiency;
  • Improve responsiveness to changing conditions.

Topic Area 2: Digitalisation

DEM 2.1. Digital Support for Funding Call Identification and Selection

Challenge Description

Funding opportunities are scattered across multiple platforms, making monitoring difficult and time-consuming.

The challenge is to develop a smart solution that:

  • Automatically monitors funding calls;
  • Categorizes opportunities;
  • Assesses compatibility with company strategy;
  • Recommends the most suitable funding schemes.

Expected Results

A system that:

  • Aggregates national and EU funding opportunities;
  • Filters calls based on eligibility and project type;
  • Prioritizes opportunities according to the likelihood of success.

DEM 2.2. The Digital Future of Procurement and Public Tendering

Challenge Description

How can procurement processes be transformed through digital tools and artificial intelligence?

Focus areas include:

  • Supplier identification and assessment;
  • Bid evaluation;
  • Automated preparation of tender documentation;
  • Integration with predictive maintenance models.

Expected Results

  • Digitally supported procurement process;
  • Automated supplier evaluation;
  • AI-supported bid assessment;
  • Faster, more transparent, and higher-quality procurement procedures.

Topic Area 3: Energy

DEM 3. Potential Use of Hydrokinetic Turbines in Slovenia

Challenge Description

Hydrokinetic turbines offer opportunities to generate electricity from water currents without major spatial interventions.

The challenge is to evaluate:

  • Technology options;
  • Economic viability;
  • Long-term operation and maintenance;
  • Regulatory and environmental compliance.

Expected Results

  • Assessment of turbine technologies and capacities;
  • Economic feasibility analysis;
  • Deployment opportunities in Slovenia;
  • Integration into existing energy and regulatory frameworks.

Topic Area 4: Circular Economy

DEM 4.1. End-of-Life Solar Panels – Giving Them a New Life

Challenge Description

How can solar panels be managed at the end of their life cycle in a sustainable, economically viable, and legally compliant manner through refurbishment and reuse rather than dismantling?

Expected Results

Practical solutions for extending the value of photovoltaic panels and reducing waste.

DEM 4.2. How Can Hydropower Sediments Become a Raw Material for the Construction Industry?

Challenge Description

Hydropower reservoir sediments are often treated as waste despite their potential value as secondary raw materials.

The challenge is to:

  • Demonstrate quality and reliability;
  • Address industry concerns;
  • Ensure regulatory compliance;
  • Develop classification models supporting their use as raw materials.

Expected Results

Business and market models that position sediments as environmentally friendly and economically viable resources rather than waste.

Topic Area 5: Sustainable Tourism

DEM 5.1. The Museum as a Classroom

Challenge Description

How can the Fala Hydropower Plant Museum become an active component of educational programmes?

Expected Results

  • Two to three modular learning programmes;
  • Learning objectives linked to school curricula;
  • Interactive student engagement activities.

DEM 5.2. ENERGY YOU CAN FEEL – Interactive Experience of Electricity Generation at the Fala Hydropower Museum

Challenge Description

How can an interactive museum experience help visitors understand the process of electricity generation from water?

Expected Results

  • Interactive exhibit concept;
  • User journey description;
  • Assessment methods to verify visitor understanding.

DEM 5.3. The Museum as an Energy Tourism Destination

Challenge Description

How can the Fala Hydropower Plant Museum become a recognized destination for sustainable tourism?

Expected Results

  • Collaboration models with tourism providers and educational institutions;
  • Ideas for thematic visits and special events;
  • Communication strategy highlighting energy and sustainability themes.