Strategic role/vision
Mission
Operational roles
Business philosophy

About the Fund (SEF)

We are the central financial institution specialising in promoting the growth and development of Slovenian entrepreneurship. Following the best global practices, our aim is to provide favourable financial resources for startups, high-growth, innovative and micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), thus ensuring stable operations and enabling them to grow and expand in increasingly demanding and specialised markets.

In addition to financial support, we offer comprehensive programmes to strengthen business and development competences. These include vouchers, mentoring, training and networking programmes, various professional services and networking opportunities. To ensure the success of these programmes, we work with a number of expert partners who play a key role in fostering innovation and sustainable business development.

Our organisation has been an active co-creator of the Slovenian startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial environment, connecting entrepreneurial networks and advisory institutions and promoting the innovative orientation of SMEs. We support companies in finding new opportunities and expanding their business models to help them break and succeed in global markets.

“You are not alone on your entrepreneurial journey. We’re here — the Slovenian Enterprise Fund. To advise, assist, and support you. To listen and to also hear you. We are daily embedded in the world of entrepreneurship, which is why we understand your needs and wishes. We grow together with our employees, entrepreneurs and business partners. We strongly believe that positive change comes from people with vision, positive energy and a desire to work together.”

Grow together!

We work in line with European goals and objectives to promote research, development, employment and entrepreneurship. When implementing development incentives, we strive to ensure that investments are aimed at sustainable development, with a particular focus on the circular, digital and green economy, and socially responsible operations.

As an efficient public institution, we adhere to the principles of simplicity, transparency and accountability, and apply ESG principles (environmental, social and governance) in all our operations.

We tender over EUR 100 million in various development incentives every year, supporting more than 3,000 projects, and contributing to around EUR 230 million of new investments in the Slovenian economy.

STRATEGIC ROLE/VISION

The Slovenian Enterprise Fund is the main national financial institution supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, startups and scaleups.

By implementing target-based actions, the SEF addresses the various market gaps faced by companies, with a particular focus on promoting sustainable development in prioritised areas.

MISSION

We pursue our mission through five strategic pillars/missions in our day-to-day and long-term operations:

1.

Filling financial gaps
We provide access to financing for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups and scaleups, focusing on priority and development-relevant areas of the economy.

2.

Closing development and business skills gaps
Closing the SME, startup and scaleup development and business skills gaps.

3.

Increasing innovative and sustainable businesses
We contribute to increasing the number of innovative and sustainable SMEs, startups and scaleups that are focused on long-term growth and responsible business.

4.

Promoting innovation and entrepreneurship
We foster an entrepreneurial mindset and promote the importance of innovation as a fundamental factor for the economic and social development in Slovenia.

5.

Final recipient and ESG principles
We conduct all our activities bearing in mind the needs of the final recipients, in this case companies, while strictly adhering to the principles of sustainable business conduct (ESG) and ensuring transparent and responsible resource management.

OPERATIONAL ROLES

The mission and the five strategic pillars provide the basis for the Fund’s five operational roles on how to achieve its measurable objectives.

OPERATIONAL ROLE

1

Provider of financial incentives to SMEs, startups and scaleups, focusing on priority development areas

OPERATIONAL ROLE

2

Provider of specific incentives to raise business and development competences in SMEs, startups and scaleups

OPERATIONAL ROLE

3

Facilitator of development partnerships to increase the innovation focus and sustainability of SMEs, startups and scaleups

OPERATIONAL ROLE

4

Promoter of innovation and entrepreneurship to boost innovative orientations

OPERATIONAL ROLE

5

Efficient public financial institution with ESG principles

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

The set of values, principles, beliefs and value orientations that the Fund adopts and implements in its business. These are the foundations on which the Fund builds its strategies and decision-making, and influence its business reputation and long-term success.

Our values/principles guide and direct our day-to-day actions and help shape decisions and behaviours that are in line with our long-term goals.

The Fund’s business philosophy includes ten guidelines or principles that follow a sustainable orientation and ensure the satisfaction of end-users.

Focus on the end user/recipientsredstev

All solutions and activities implemented by SEF employees follow one single objective — to be effective for our users — SMEs in Slovenia, all other solutions and activities simply follow the main focus.
Principle of simplicity

At SEF we have made and will continue to make suggestions to the drafters regarding the rules on granting State aid to ensure its simplicity for the applicants.
Principle of visibility

We will continue to ensure transparent operations through specialised software tools, as well as providing transparent and easy-to-use information on our websites for external users.
Principle of transparency

Transparency will be ensured by making all relevant information publicly available and by complying with the laws and regulations of the European Community and the Republic of Slovenia.
Finding solutions for end users/recipients

At SEF we value the focus on quick solutions that lead to sustainability and ensure end user satisfaction.
Cooperation and networking

We are driven to find positive solutions and are ready to work as a team to ensure synergies and sustainable solutions, thus ensuring end user satisfaction.
Principle of responsiveness

We are committed to accuracy, timely response to all new challenges or requests received from our end users.
Concrete actions

We are focused on concrete and clear decisions and responsibilities in the implementation of individual projects or activities.
Operational improvements

We are introducing improvements to financial solutions to reduce market gaps for SMEs in the financial market, considering the best know-how, experience and resources from various countries.
Bringing together knowledgeable staff with a personal interest in the design of business incentives

At SEF we have the right expertise in financial and other development incentives for the business sector, focusing on finding the most optimal solutions for end users.