Local Business as the Foundation of Technological Sustainability
Building a strong domestic business environment is essential for the long-term sustainability of the technology sector. This was one of the key messages of the conference Region of the Future – The Future of the Region 2025, held on May 14, 2025, at the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Košice.
The conference emphasized that bold decisions, mutual cooperation, and ambition are the foundations of success – even outside major metropolitan areas. Regions can become engines of innovation if they have access to the necessary resources, conditions, and support.
Discussions reflected a shared vision of countries such as Slovakia, Ukraine, and Hungary: a focus on quality infrastructure, the development of modern technologies, the connection between universities and research institutions, as well as shared interests in areas such as space research. However, the foundation of this cooperation remains a stable, safe, and peaceful environment.
Practical challenges were also addressed: how to build market trust, how to attract the first customers, and how difficult it is to retain talent in the region. Experts and entrepreneurs agreed that key factors include fostering team spirit, mentoring, and investing in continuous learning.
The conference was held for the fourth time and, thanks to the participation of partners and speakers from various countries and sectors, once again became a platform for sharing experiences, inspiration, and solutions for regional development in the digital and technological era.
EDIH Cassovium Involvement
The EDIH Cassovium consortium actively participated in the conference with the goal of connecting its services with the needs of participants from the business and technology sectors. Our role was to present the EDIH Cassovium project and showcase the opportunities that Slovak European Digital Innovation Hubs offer to small and medium-sized enterprises. Throughout the conference, an information booth was available for attendees to learn more about the consortium’s activities and the opportunity to measure their company’s digital maturity free of charge.
The presentation also included a demonstration of the opportunities provided by the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). Given that EEN’s services target the same audience as those of EDIH Cassovium, a natural space for their complementarity was created.
The conference created valuable conditions for exchanging experiences, establishing new partnerships, and strengthening cross-border cooperation. Its aim was to provide a platform for dialogue among domestic and foreign entrepreneurs, students, and startups, support new innovative ideas with growth potential, inspire the use of modern technologies, and strengthen ties between Slovak and Hungarian companies in the field of innovation.
