Slovak PRO House @ SXSW

Slovak House at SXSW – Going BIG in Texas, bringing together founders, investors, public leaders, and partners to strengthen connections between Slovakia and the United States. The event welcomed nearly 500 attendees from across the globe, with strong engagement around Slovak innovation, investment opportunities, and transatlantic collaboration.

We were honored to welcome Texas Secretary of State Jane Nelson, alongside key representatives from SARIO and the Slovak Embassy, highlighting Slovakia’s growing role as an innovation and investment partner. The program also featured insights from global industry leaders, including AT&T and Q-Branch, reflecting real-world applications of AI, scaling, and market entry strategies.

A central highlight was the Slovak Innovation Showcase, where 15 Slovak companies presented to a full audience, demonstrating the strength of Slovakia’s tech ecosystem. The day also included a discussion on U.S. market entry and immigration, moderated by Andrea Hrušovská, CEO of HR4U Solutions with Martin Valko, immigration Lawer and partner of Chaves & Valko, and Honorary Consul of Slovakia to Texas. 

The event concluded with a strong sense of momentum for continued collaboration. Special thanks to our partners, including SARIO, the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C., the Honorary Consulate in Texas, and HR4U Solutions, as well as the entire Slovak PRO team, whose leadership and execution made this platform possible.

Slovak talent and innovation took center in Austin at “Going BIG in Texas: Slovak House,” a one-day event showcasing startups, tech innovation, and investment opportunities. Slovak PRO, led locally by Andrea and Jozef Hrusovski, organized the program with support from SARIO, the Slovak Embassy, and local partners, highlighting the strength of Slovak professionals across North America.

Fifteen Slovak SMEs presented solutions in AI, robotics, sustainable housing, and software, while speakers from SARIO, entrepreneurs, and local business leaders shared insights on investment and U.S. market entry. TEDx Talks by Vlado Hruda, Marian Stahovec, and Niko Dubovsky highlighted Slovak success abroad.

The day closed with networking over authentic Slovak hospitality, demonstrating how Slovak PRO connects talent and ideas to build lasting global partnerships.

The Slovak PRO House at SXSW 2024 put Slovak innovation on a global stage, led locally by Andrea Hrusovska. The initiative created a dedicated space for Slovak companies to showcase technology, creativity, and business potential to an international audience.

Startups and established firms, including Touch4IT, Kreativ Gang, CloseRocket, Zepelin, and Zooza, connected with global partners, investors, and industry leaders, gaining exposure and forging valuable relationships. Highlights included meetings with Martin Valko, Honorary Consul of Slovakia in Texas, and Martin Viecha of Tesla, along with a special Tesla Gigafactory tour.

Through networking, cultural exchange, and high-impact interactions, the Slovak PRO House demonstrated the strength of Slovak talent abroad. Its success sets the stage for SXSW 2025, promising even greater visibility and collaboration opportunities for Slovak innovators.