The NLB Group strives to promote and support entrepreneurship. The founding of the NLB Innovative Entrepreneurship Centre (NLB IEC) in 2015 contributed to improving the entrepreneurial climate and financial mentorship in Slovenia. The NLB CIP has become an example of good business practice and a positive business environment meeting point. With free-of-charge lease of the business premises to small entrepreneurs, for the purpose of organising various events for the internal and external public, and digitalisation of time-saving banking services, the NLB Group ensures the wellbeing of the broader society.
Assistant to the Management Board for Corporate and Investment Banking
Investing in Progress
IEC achievements in 2018
In its everyday work and organisation of events, NLB IEC fulfils the social responsibility activity as part of the centre’s regular actions and plans. At the beginning of their business career, the entrepreneurs are usually not aware of the challenges awaiting them or the services offered by the Bank that can help them. Experts publish special articles on NLB’s websites to present to the entrepreneurs-beginners the basic rules of financial operations and how to avoid the initial risks of doing business and other traps in financial operations. NLB d.d. possesses a lot of know-how, experience and information about business subjects and macroeconomic environment. In this manner, the entrepreneurs can be warned about the key information in the planning of projects, payment transactions and project financing. Before entering major deals and making important decisions, an entrepreneur can arrange a meeting and consult their account manager.
Promotion of entrepreneurship
Participation of the NLB Innovative Entrepreneurship Centre (IEC) in socially responsible events derives from our experience in collaboration with various institutions, entrepreneurs, students, and the needs arising from development of entrepreneurship and knowledge in the future. The IEC offers entrepreneurial contents contributing largely to economic development and influencing development of entrepreneurial skills, entrepreneurial initiatives and entrepreneurship itself. On top of that additionally organised workshops Personal Financial Advice for the Young represent basic financial literacy education for secondary-school and university students.
During several years of our existence the NLB IEC has identified the following problem areas potential young entrepreneurs are faced with:
- lack of entrepreneurial skills,
- insufficient knowledge of personal and business finances,
- lack of entrepreneurial experience before young people embark on the career of an entrepreneur, where the Bank can provide specific mentorship role,
- lack of exhibition area for young creative people,
- potential entrepreneurs’ need for networking and opportunity to obtain contact details.
In 2018 the NLB Innovative Entrepreneurship Centre hosted several SCR events; 12 events attended by over 500 participants.
“More than 360 opportunities waiting for you”
In August 2018 the Career Centre of the University of Ljubljana organised, in cooperation with the NLB the Summer School for the secondary-school students called “More than 360 opportunities waiting for you” in the NLB Innovative Entrepreneurship Centre. We presented some interesting and modern banking occupations that are constantly adapting to the trends and expectations of the customers in view of the quick changes on the market.
Summer School Summer Economics Institute – SEI 2018
was in collaboration with the US Embassy in Ljubljana hosted for the third time in a row. 20 students attended, of which 12 Slovene students and 8 students from the US. The key focus of the summer school was the Lean Start-Up programme.
The photograph was taken at the closing ceremony of the Summer Economics Institute – SEI 2018 event.
Summer Economics Institute – SEI 2018
Summer School of Cultural Management 2018
was organised by the Art Council of the University of Ljubljana and the Faculty of Economics and attended by 40 participants. The IEC team organised a modelling workshop on the use of the Business Canvas Model and Personal Financial Advice, a financial literacy workshop.
University of Ljubljana event, Smart Pavilion for Students of Various Faculties
connected the University of Ljubljana and its 8 members with the aim to stimulate innovation and out of the box thinking. 30 students and 5 mentors took part in the workshops. All workshops focused on setting up the pavilion. The winning pavilion will be put up in Ljubljana on the 100th anniversary of the University. Part of the programme, the opening and closing ceremony with evaluation and announcement of results took place in the Innovative Entrepreneurship Centre.
The U-Mentor Society – The Best Young Start-Up 2018
Ustvarjalnik's closing conference 2018 was the final Start-up contest of youth teams who attended Ustvarjalnik’s entrepreneurship lessons across Slovenia and abroad throughout 2017/2018 and teams taking the first steps into the world of entrepreneurship under the mentorship of Ustvarjalnik. A panel of experts followed and assessed the contestants and in the end announced and awarded prizes to the best young start-up teams in 2018.
One of the key missions of responsible operation of NLB d.d. is to promote the development of entrepreneurship. We cooperate with small entrepreneurs a lot, we understand their problems and we are aware that the first steps are the most difficult and we know how to listen to them. We decided to support, also in 2018, the project organised by the company Spar Slovenija, and the TV house POP TV and the advertising agency Formitas, with financial services and advice. NLB d.d. provided the premises for meeting and recording the show.
The project “Start-up Slovenia” has been organised for the third consecutive year. In 2018, eight young and innovative Slovenian companies to which NLB offered its know-how and help presented their products. We listened to them and provided financial advice to accompany them on their entrepreneurial path.
We participate on the Start-up Slovenija for the third year. Eight young innovative Slovenian interpreneurships presented their products. NLB offerd its help and knowledge to support them. We listened to them and equipped them with financial advices on their path.
Projects, which participated on in Štartaj Slovenia 2018:
- Lapopsi
- Palačinke takoj,
- Mulc,
- 4kidsandus,
- Gaia naturelle – kolagen shot,
- Moja presna granola,
- Yanika
- Uroš in Valentina – marmela
The product “La popsi” was selected as the most successful project of the “Start-up” Slovenia.
Assistant to the Management Board for Corporate and Investment Banking (interview for Delo)
The NLB IEC Entrepreneurial gallery takes care of a wide selection of exhibitors who create their innovative products using natural materials, hand-made techniques and leaning on the rich cultural heritage. The opportunity to present their own exhibitions is offered to the entrepreneurs from all over Slovenia.
Since the promotion of entrepreneurship is one of the Bank’s key missions; educational film presentations were prepared for the entrepreneurs in 2018 with ten pieces of advice for a successful start and growth of operations at the regional TV stations, explaining where to start a business career, what is a documentary letter of credit, what is factoring, cash flow, what can an entrepreneur do to maintain solvency, what must be considered when planning an increase in the capacities, when considering taking out a loan, entering foreign markets and how to protect oneself when making business with a new business partner.
“The Shape of Wood for Challenges in Entrepreneurship” project set forth concrete activities to address the problems identified by future entrepreneurs – beginners. Secondary School of Wood Engineering operating within the Škofja Loka School Centre was invited to take part in the project, which took place from January to March 2018. The aim of this partnership was to achieve social benefits by extending young people an opportunity to gain new entrepreneurial skills, awareness of how important it is to get personal finances in order, possibilities to get in touch with potential buyers, and approving the business model developed by students in their student enterprises.
The goal of the project was to address each issue with a concrete activity:
- organise an entrepreneurship workshop on business modelling on the use of Business Canvas Model
- conduct a workshop for young people on how to get their personal finances in order,
- offer the students an opportunity to present their student companies in 3-minute pitches in front of a panel of banking experts,
- members of the panel made an expert assessment of presented student companies,
- offer an opportunity to exhibit at the IEC Entrepreneurial Gallery.
