The letter of intent to establish the Ljubljana innovation hub presents a comprehensive and systematic solution to the improvement in the field of connecting science and economy as well as the commercialization of knowledge.

On 17 December 2013, the letter of intent was signed by Mayor Zoran Janković, the Rector of the University of Ljubljana Prof Dr Ivan Svetlik, the Director of the Jožef Stefan Institute Prof Dr Jadran Lenarčič, Minister of education, science and sport Dr Jernej Pikalo, the Director of the Technology Park Ljubljana Mag Iztok Lesjak, the Director of the Regional development agency of the Ljubljana urban region Mag Lilijana Madjar, the President of the Management Board and Chief Executive of Krka d.d. Jože Colarič, and the President of the Management Board of Fotona d.d. Dr Matjaž Lukač.
The signed letter of intent is of key importance for bringing together academic institutions and economy in the Republic of Slovenia.

The purpose of the project Slovenia Innovation Valley is to encourage knowledge-based development in fields, where Ljubljana as well as the entire region and Slovenia as a whole have comparative and competitive advantages. To achieve this, the project provides support to individual connections between the research sphere and the economy with a goal of diversifying into new technologies, products and services (establishing start-ups, spin-offs, and split-offs) and consequently opening new work positions with a high added-value. Aside from this, the project’s purpose is also to develop appropriate new systemic and organizational solutions for a more successful commercialization of knowledge as well as to create a stimulating research and business environment in order to encourage national and European investors to invest the development funds in projects that will guarantee the best results.

At the moment, the project is still in the creation phase and is thus wide open for new members. As of now now, it is most likely that it will include but will not be limited to the Institute of Chemistry, the National Institute of Biology, the Faculties of Medicine, Health Sciences, Law and Economy, Centres of Excellence and Competence Centres, economic centres as well as other manufacturing and developing companies and institutions.