My story began long before I enrolled at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maribor, but I have always known that this faculty would be my first choice. For as long as I can remember, I have loved innovating. I am curious about everything - how things work, how they are constructed, but most of all, I am constantly brainstorming ideas on how to do things differently.
At the end of secondary school, I entered the competition Moje podjetje (My Company), organised by JA Slovenia, with my innovation – an organic polishing paste made from micro-powders – and won. The paste, which I named OPS (Organic Polishing Structure), is a revolutionary product in the field of polishing specialised tool steels. It is made from bovine horn components that are typically discarded as waste in the meat processing industry. I also had the opportunity to present my innovation at the Slovenian pavilion at the World Expo in Dubai. The paste is patented because I recognise the importance of protecting intellectual property.
As a young innovator, I participated in the international event Presentation of the Unitary Patent System, organised by the Slovenian Intellectual Property Office, the European Patent Office, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia. At this event, I shared my perspective on the importance of intellectual property and established connections with key stakeholders in the innovation ecosystem.
In October 2022, by special invitation from the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, I participated as the sole representative from Slovenia in a discussion in Brussels on the topic Research and Innovation at School – the Role of Young People. I consider it an extraordinary honour that my efforts, particularly my innovation, were recognised by the Commissioner, and that I had the opportunity to highlight certain issues and topics relevant to young innovators in a vibrant discussion.
My collaboration with the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maribor began in the final year of secondary school and deepened during my studies in Mechatronics. I am incredibly grateful for the support of the professors, who helped me continue my research to improve the polishing paste. Through my studies in Mechatronics, I have gained applied knowledge in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science, combined with management and business communication, which have proven invaluable in refining my business model.
I have also successfully collaborated and built relationships with the professional services of the Rectorate of the University of Maribor. Notably, I actively participated in and presented at the online event ATHENA's World Intellectual Property Day 2023: Intellectual Property in the Innovation Ecosystem – Why is it Important, organised in April 2023 by the University’s Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office within the ATHENA European University and Enterprise Europe Network projects. I was one of the speakers at this event.
Additionally, I collaborate with Katapult Trbovlje, and it is an honour to be one of their Akrobat.
The University of Maribor has also recognised my innovative spirit and entrepreneurial mindset by awarding me, as the first recipient, the prestigious Rector’s Certificate of Recognition for Contributions to the Innovation Activities of Students at the University of Maribor.