AGP Executive Report

Slovenia in the spotlight (well-being): A new “price of happiness” analysis finds Slovenia is the only country in a 50-nation comparison where average wages ($42,800) exceed the estimated income linked to peak reported well-being ($36,800), with Luxembourg and Estonia next closest. Retail tech in Slovenia: Instaleap (now part of Instacart) says SPAR Slovenia has chosen it as its e-commerce fulfillment platform, aiming to streamline online grocery operations, last-mile delivery, and store-to-marketplace integrations. Energy safety research: A multinational review led by Slovenia’s ZAG reports photovoltaic-related fires remain uncommon, but when incidents happen, DC-side cables and connectors are frequent ignition points. Academic freedom ranking: Slovenia places near the top globally for academic freedom (score 0.94) in a V-Dem index, even as the overall trend shows erosion in many countries since 2015. Tech product watch: Google is reportedly preparing a first-party Android tracker (“Pixel Tag”) to compete with AirTag-style devices, using its Find My Device network. Upcoming science event in Slovenia: ISER will host ICOASB-26 on ocean acidification and shellfish biology in Kranj, 26–27 Nov 2026.

Energy & Safety: A multinational review led by Slovenia’s ZAG finds photovoltaic fires are still uncommon across the UK, Italy, Slovenia and Sweden, with DC-side wiring and connectors often implicated when incidents happen. Biotech & Industry: Ginkgo Bioworks partners with Slovenia’s Acies Bio to scale production of enhanced Aspergillus niger strains for industrial protein manufacturing. Slovenian Startup Funding: GenePlanet expands its investor base as life-sciences fund Lauxera Capital Partners buys a minority stake to push growth in Western Europe and the US. Agritech Research: EU-funded Root2Res moves into its final year, releasing an online “Toolboxes” platform to help breeders and farmers select crop varieties using resilient below-ground traits. Energy Storage Policy: The European Commission approves Slovenia’s €59m scheme for grid battery storage. Nuclear Tech in the Region: Hungary narrowly avoids a full shutdown at Paks as Danube water levels rise, highlighting cooling-water risks for nuclear operations. Science Governance Watch: Slovenia ranks near the top for academic freedom (0.94) in a new V-Dem index, even as global university autonomy erodes. Circularity: A new study ranks Slovenia among the best countries for keeping products and materials in use, including textile reuse and recycling performance.

Slovenian Energy & Grid Storage: The EU has approved Slovenia’s €59m scheme for grid battery storage, a boost for balancing renewables and strengthening local power reliability. Nuclear & Climate Resilience: Hungary narrowly avoided a full shutdown at Paks during Danube drought conditions, while a separate report highlights how 3D printing is moving into nuclear maintenance and component replacement, including a past Krško case in Slovenia. Biotech & Industrial Proteins: Ginkgo Bioworks is partnering with Slovenia’s Acies Bio to scale enhanced Aspergillus niger strains for industrial protein production. Health & Genetics: GenePlanet, a Slovenian genetic testing firm, is expanding via a new minority investment from Lauxera Capital Partners, building on earlier funding and acquisitions. Circular Economy: A new circularity study ranks Slovenia among the top performers in keeping materials in use, including municipal waste recycling and textile flows. Academic Freedom Watch: Slovenia scores high in a global academic freedom ranking (0.94), even as broader reports flag erosion of university autonomy worldwide. Local Tech Policy: Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV SLO faces a non-binding referendum on abolishing its licence fee, with implications for funding and staffing.

EU Energy Storage: The European Commission has approved Slovenia’s €59m state-aid scheme for battery energy storage, targeting at least 370 MWh of new stand-alone capacity via competitive grants (with support disbursed through 2030). Nuclear Tech & Safety: A report highlights how 3D printing is moving into nuclear supply chains, including past work at Slovenia’s Krško plant, while Hungary’s Paks reactor narrowly avoided a full shutdown during Danube drought-driven cooling constraints. Biotech Manufacturing: Ginkgo Bioworks is partnering with Slovenia’s Acies Bio to scale engineered Aspergillus niger strains for industrial protein production. Climate & Land Use: An EU report flags Spain as Europe’s worst desertification hotspot, while noting Slovenia among countries with high shares of land showing degradation warning signs. Research Policy: A global academic freedom ranking places Slovenia near the top, while India’s academic freedom hits its lowest level since 1900. Local Tech Governance: Slovenia’s public broadcaster RTV SLO faces an October referendum on whether to change its licence-fee funding model, tied to device ownership.

Energy Storage in the Spotlight: The European Commission has approved Slovenia’s €59m state-aid scheme for battery energy storage, targeting at least 370MWh of new stand-alone capacity via competitive grants (with funding expected to run until Dec. 31, 2030). Biotech Collaboration: Ginkgo Bioworks is partnering with Slovenia’s Acies Bio to scale up enhanced Aspergillus niger strains for industrial protein production, aiming to speed customers from strain development to scaled manufacturing. Local Science Leadership: Matej Grum has been appointed Acting Director of Slovenia’s Metrology Institute, with a focus on reliable metrology infrastructure and stronger cooperation with European and international partners. Circularity Ranking: A new study by Arka assessed 75 countries on circular economy performance; Slovenia ranks among the top overall, with a reported municipal waste recycling rate matching Germany’s at 47%. Sports Tech Angle (Slovenian tie-in): Tadej Pogačar confirms he’ll race the Vuelta a España in August, returning to La Vuelta for the first time since 2019.

Energy Storage Boost: The European Commission has approved Slovenia’s €59m state-aid scheme for battery energy storage, targeting at least 370 MWh of new stand-alone capacity via competitive grants, with funding expected to flow until 2030. Metrology Leadership: Matej Grum has been appointed Acting Director of the Metrology Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, with priorities including reliable national measurement infrastructure and stronger scientific and legal metrology cooperation. Cybersecurity Deal: Datatec’s Logicalis USA is expanding in New Mexico after acquiring Loial, a provider focused on cybersecurity and managed services, as part of a broader acquisition push. EU Health Policy Push: The EU of General Practitioners is urging European recognition of family medicine as a medical specialty, arguing current EU classification doesn’t match how the field operates in practice. Defense Tech Trial Selection: The European Defence Agency selected five companies for field testing in its Sentinel Strike Challenge, including Slovenia’s C-Astral, with operational trials planned in Portugal later this year. STEM & Youth Sports: Slovenia’s youth basketball pipeline keeps delivering, with the U18 team reaching the semi-finals again and highlighting standout 17-year-old Stefan Joksimovic.

EU Policy & Health: The EU of General Practitioners is pushing for family medicine to be formally recognized as a medical specialty, arguing current EU rules still classify it as “general medical practice,” which affects physician mobility. Energy Storage: The European Commission approved Slovenia’s €59m state aid scheme for battery storage, targeting at least 370MWh of new stand-alone capacity via competitive grants. Slovenian Science Leadership: Matej Grum has been appointed Acting Director of the Metrology Institute of the Republic of Slovenia, with priorities including reliable metrology infrastructure and stronger international cooperation. Cyber & Business Tech: Datatec’s Logicalis USA keeps expanding, acquiring Loial to grow cybersecurity and managed services capabilities in New Mexico. PV Safety Research: A Slovenian-led international review of firefighter interventions in PV-related fires finds cross-country reporting differences drive much of the variation, calling for better harmonized reporting. Health Research: A JAMA study estimates high LDL cholesterol caused 3.6m deaths globally in 2023, with one-third of the burden in India and China. Defense Tech: The EDA selected Slovenia’s C-Astral among five firms advancing to field testing in a loitering munition drone challenge in Portugal.

Solar Infrastructure Watch: IRENA says solar is now about 41% cheaper than the cheapest fossil options, and Europe is pushing new formats like solar car parks—pairable with EV charging and even designed to cool parked cars—though some countries remain resistant. Youth Online Safety: A wave of countries is tightening rules on social media for minors, with at least 15 nations moving to restrict access since late 2025, including Australia’s under-16 ban and Vietnam’s “silent mode” approach. EU Trade & Industry: The European Commission has imposed definitive anti-dumping duties of up to 67.5% on Chinese nylon yarn, citing dumped prices that harmed EU producers, including firms in Slovenia. Slovenia in Space Science: The Netherlands joined the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory as an Observer, strengthening European high-energy astrophysics collaboration. Health Research: A JAMA study links high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol to 3.6M deaths in 2023, with one-third of the global burden concentrated in India and China. Energy & Climate Pressure: Hungary’s Danube low-water levels are forcing a shutdown of its Paks nuclear plant, highlighting how heatwaves can hit power systems fast. Slovenian Biotech Growth: Ljubljana genomics platform GenePlanet secured strategic investment from Lauxera Capital Partners to expand clinical and research genetic testing.

Solar Energy & Urban Planning: Europe’s solar boom is pushing new ideas like solar parking lots and canopies, with IRENA saying panels were ~41% cheaper than the lowest-cost fossil options in 2024; the pitch is simple: generate power without extra land and pair it with EV charging, though some countries remain resistant. EU Trade & Industry: The European Commission has imposed definitive anti-dumping duties of up to 67.5% on Chinese nylon yarn, citing dumped prices that hurt EU producers in Croatia, Italy, Spain, Romania and Slovenia. Slovenia Tech & HealthTech: Ljubljana genomics platform GenePlanet secured strategic investment from Lauxera Capital Partners to expand its genetic testing and next-generation sequencing services across 50+ markets. Defense Tech (Slovenia): The EDA selected five firms for field testing in its Sentinel Strike Challenge; Slovenia’s C-Astral is among them, with trials planned in Portugal later this year. Energy Resilience: Hungary’s sole nuclear plant will shut next week due to low Danube water levels during heatwaves, highlighting how climate stress can hit power reliability.

Astronomy Collaboration: The Netherlands joined CTAO ERIC as an Observer, keeping a close hand on the Cherenkov Telescope Array’s fast-accelerating buildout for high-energy astrophysics. Health & Data-Driven Medicine: Ljubljana genomics platform GenePlanet secured strategic investment from Lauxera Capital Partners to expand its clinical and research genetic testing and next-generation sequencing services across 50+ markets. Defense Tech (EU): The European Defence Agency picked five firms, including Slovenia’s C-Astral, to move into field testing for the Sentinel Strike Challenge loitering munition trials in Portugal. Energy & Climate Risk: Hungary’s sole nuclear plant will shut temporarily due to record-low Danube water levels during heatwaves, underlining how cooling-water constraints can hit baseload power. EU Industry Policy: The European Commission opened an anti-dumping probe into Chinese nylon sold in the EU at dumped prices, with Slovenia among the affected nylon-producing countries. Local Tech/Innovation: GenePlanet’s funding round signals continued growth in Central Europe’s life-science infrastructure.

EU Defence Innovation: The European Defence Agency picked five firms for field testing in Portugal’s Sentinel Strike Challenge, including Slovenia’s C-Astral, as loitering munition systems move toward operational trials. Slovenian HealthTech: Ljubljana genomics platform GenePlanet secured strategic investment from Lauxera Capital Partners, backing its clinical and research genetic testing expansion. Energy & Safety Research: A ZAG-led international review of PV-related fires across the UK, Italy, Slovenia and Sweden finds results vary mainly by reporting methods, and flags safety shut-off failures as recurring ignition sources. Climate-Driven Power Risk: Hungary will shut its Paks nuclear plant next week due to low Danube water levels from heatwaves, cutting a major share of national electricity. EU Trade Policy: The European Commission opened an anti-dumping probe on Chinese nylon, with Slovenia among key EU nylon-job hubs. Sports Tech & Talent: Primož Roglič is sidelined after a training car hit, while Slovenia’s youth basketball continues to rise with Stefan Joksimovic. Public Media Governance: An interview highlights how Slovenia’s RTV Slovenija faces pressure as licence-fee plans could reshape independence.

Slovenian Genomics Growth: Ljubljana’s GenePlanet secured strategic investment from HealthTech investor Lauxera Capital Partners, with BlackPeak Capital partially exiting while staying involved—aiming to scale clinical, research and preventive genetic testing across 50+ markets. EU Defence Tech: The European Defence Agency picked five firms for field testing in its Sentinel Strike Challenge, including Slovenia’s C-Astral, with loitering munition systems trialed in Portugal under realistic conditions later this year. Energy & Safety Under Heat: Hungary will shut its Paks nuclear plant next week due to Danube water levels, highlighting how heatwaves and drought are now directly reshaping Central Europe’s power supply. Solar Fire Findings: A ZAG-led international review of PV-related fires across the UK, Italy, Slovenia and Sweden says differences in reporting methods drive mixed results, and calls for harmonized fire reporting to improve safety decisions. EU Trade Policy: The European Commission opened anti-dumping duties against Chinese nylon, affecting a €400m EU market where nylon production includes Slovenia. Sports Tech Angle: Primož Roglič is sidelined from key build-up races after a car hit during training, shifting his 2026 focus toward the Vuelta.

Genomics & Investment: Ljubljana’s GenePlanet secured strategic funding from HealthTech investor Lauxera Capital Partners, with BlackPeak Capital partially exiting while staying involved—aimed at scaling its clinical and research genetic testing platform across 50+ markets. Energy & Safety Research: A ZAG-led international review of PV-related fires across the UK, Italy, Slovenia and Sweden says differences in outcomes mostly come down to reporting methods, and flags how certain safety components can become ignition sources. EU Trade & Industry: The European Commission opened anti-dumping duties on Chinese nylon sold in the EU, with the nylon industry in Croatia, Italy, Spain, Romania and Slovenia employing about 2,000 people. Eurozone Macro: Eurostat’s flash estimate shows eurozone inflation rebounded to 2.9% in July (core 2.5%), with energy again driving the jump. Slovenian Tech/Defense R&D: The EDA named five finalists for its Sentinel Strike Challenge on loitering munitions, including Slovenia’s C-Astral, with field trials planned in Portugal this autumn. Climate Resilience in Practice: EU wildfire coordination is reallocating firefighting assets across member states, including aircraft deployed from Slovakia and Slovenia to France. Maritime Risk: A new analysis warns global shipping chokepoints face mounting pressure from geopolitics, climate volatility and cyber threats.

EU Emergency Response: The EU is coordinating wildfire aid for France and Spain, pooling aircraft and crews from across member states including Slovakia and Slovenia as officials warn heatwave conditions could worsen. Energy Transition: A new look at Central Europe’s geothermal potential highlights the Pannonian Basin and existing district heating networks as a path to weather-proof heating and power. EU R&D Tax Policy: Analysis of the EU Tax Omnibus argues the proposed R&D full expensing floor is a step forward but too narrow, since it targets tangible “R&D assets” and misses key intangible parts of research. Defence Tech in Slovenia: The EDA’s Sentinel Strike Challenge has advanced five loitering munition finalists, including Slovenia’s C-Astral, for field trials in Portugal this autumn. Public Media Governance: Eastern Europe’s public broadcasters face funding and independence pressures, with Slovenia’s RTV Slovenija under renewed threat as licence-fee plans could open the door to political interference. Sports Tech & Data: Cycling coverage keeps spotlighting lactate-fuel experiments and AI-driven analysis trends around the Tour de France, where Tadej Pogačar sealed a record-equalling fifth win. Slovenian Football Officiating: World Cup referee Slavko Vinčić has broken his silence after the final, addressing VAR and his exchange with Lionel Messi.

Energy Transition: A new push for geothermal in Central and Southeast Europe is gaining momentum, with the Pannonian Basin and existing district heating networks seen as key advantages for scaling continuous, weather-proof heat supply. Sports & Tech Culture: Slovenian World Cup referee Slavko Vinčić has broken his silence after the 2026 final, saying Messi behaved sportsmanlike and that refereeing pressure was immense. EU Climate Finance: The European Commission endorsed Malta’s €60.6m Social Climate Plan (2026–2032) to fund home energy upgrades, heat pumps and solar with storage, plus community transport for vulnerable users. Defence Innovation: The European Defence Agency named five finalists for its Sentinel Strike Challenge, including Slovenia’s C-Astral, for field trials of loitering munition tech in Portugal. Slovenia in the Spotlight: Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar sealed a record-equaling fifth Tour de France title, while EU wildfire coordination sent aircraft including from Slovakia and Slovenia to help France. Digital Policy: France’s ban on social media for kids under 15 is set to trigger a wider EU wave of youth platform rules.

Slovenian Sports Spotlight: Tadej Pogačar sealed a record-equalling fifth Tour de France title, finishing 6:26 ahead of Remco Evenepoel after a dominant run that included multiple mountain wins and a final stage shortened by wildfires. EU Disaster Response: The European Commission coordinated wildfire aid for France and Spain, pooling aircraft, helicopters and fire engines across member states, with support already deployed from countries including Slovenia. Defence Tech in the EU: The European Defence Agency named five finalists for its Sentinel Strike Challenge, including Slovenia’s C-Astral, to test loitering munition systems in realistic field trials in Portugal. Health & Pharma Business: Amarin reported Q2 2026 results, highlighting progress from its fully partnered international commercial strategy for VASCEPA/VAZKEPA across Europe. Women, Peace & Security: Slovenia ranks 14th in the 2025/26 WPS Index, with Northern Europe taking the top spots. Climate Pressure: New data says two thirds of children in Western Europe were exposed to extreme heatwaves in the first half of 2026, with impacts already far above 2025 levels. Tech Policy Watch: France moved first in the EU by banning social media for kids under 15, pushing a broader regulatory wave across member states.