We’re kicking off for the 10th time –
and you're part of it!
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IMM Kick-off | October 30, 2025 | 4:00 p.m. | Bratislava
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The countdown to the 10th edition of Industry meets Makers starts here! Join us in Bratislava as we officially launch this special anniversary round with our Kick-off Event – the first ever held across the border, as part of our new Twin City Hub initiative.
At this event, leading companies and organizations will present their Future Tech Challenges – bold, real-world briefs that invite innovators, creatives, and tech enthusiasts to co-create solutions over the next five months.
Whether you want to explore the topics, meet potential collaborators, or jump right in and contribute – we warmly invite you to be there!
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What to expect
A first look at the upcoming challenges.
Direct interaction with our challenge partners.
Open space for ideas, connections, and forming first teams.
Drinks, snacks and lots of inspiration.
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Program sneak peek
4:00–4:20 p.m. – Guest arrival
4:20–4:30 p.m. – Welcome by organizers and supporters
4:30–5:15 p.m. – Challenge pitches
5:15–7:15 p.m. – Brainstorming, team building and networking
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Important to know
This year’s kick-off will take place in Bratislava for the very first time. The exact venue will be announced shortly.
A shuttle service will be available from Vienna to Bratislava – and in reverse for the final event in March.
If you’d like to propose a challenge or get involved in shaping this round, we’d love to hear from you!
Organizers
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Sandra Stromberger, Founder & CEO, Industry meets Makers, LinkedIn
Nils Streyczek, Marketing & Communications, Industry meets Makers, LinkedIn
Michal Číž, Program Director, SAPIE - Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy, LinkedIn
Assoc prof. Matej Jaššo, PhD, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, LinkedIn
Markus Kleinfercher, Senior Project Manager, Twin City Hub, EIT Manufacturing East, LinkedIn
Katarina Bendikova, Project Management, Twin City Hub, EIT Manufacturing East, LinkedIn
Our first #IMM2025 partners
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TWIN CITY HUB - Network Partners
As of July 1, 2024, Industry meets Makers has become part of the Twin City Future Innovation Manufacturing Hub (2C FIMH) – a cross-border initiative aimed at driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and promoting sustainable growth in the manufacturing sector across Austria and Slovakia. The project is co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Learn more