Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency

What Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency does

The Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO) is a state agency of the Slovak Republic operating under the Ministry of Economy, founded in 2001 and headquartered at Mlynské nivy 44/b in Bratislava. The agency functions as Slovakia's official one-stop-shop for foreign direct investment promotion and trade development, providing free advisory services to two primary customer segments: foreign investors and multinationals evaluating Slovakia for manufacturing, technology, R&D, and shared-services operations, and Slovak small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to internationalize. SARIO delivers services including one-on-one investor advisory, site selection assistance, regulatory guidance, supplier network identification, access to state investment incentives (regional investment aid, R&D superdeduction), and facilitated introductions to local partners, alongside export-readiness training, B2B matchmaking, and participation in international trade fairs and business missions.

SARIO's product and platform portfolio centers on three pillars: (1) Find In Slovakia, a free interactive online portal (findin.sk) that serves as an open database of Slovak suppliers across industries and a self-serve B2B matching tool for international buyers; (2) the Export Academy (Exportná akadémia), an educational program delivering seminars and webinars on export topics, taxation, and country-specific market entry; and (3) the National Project 'Support for the Internationalization of SMEs 2' (Podpora internacionalizácie MSP 2), an EU-funded program co-implemented with the Slovak Business Agency (SBA) that provides vouchers, trade-fair participation, business missions, and supply-chain development services to Slovak SMEs. The agency has also signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the NAZOVNI digital platform supporting post-war reconstruction trade and investment flows.

SARIO's business model is that of a non-commercial government agency: all services are provided free of charge to qualifying clients, with operations financed through Slovak state budget allocations and EU operational programmes (Operational Programme Research and Innovation, Programme Slovakia). Its go-to-market combines enterprise field sales (direct advisory at headquarters and via regional Trade Points), event-driven demand generation (29 business missions to 25 countries in the past year, 8 international fairs in 2024), and channel partnerships with bilateral chambers of commerce (WKÖ, FICCI, UkraineInvest, PAIH), Slovak embassies and consulates, and Slovak PRO. Distribution extends through the SBA's regional Trade Points into Slovakia's SME base and through embassy networks across at least 16 target geographies spanning the EU, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central, South and East Asia, North America, and East Africa.

Name

Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency

Legal name

Slovenská agentúra pre rozvoj investícií a obchodu (SARIO)

Website

https://sario.sk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SARIO is the Slovak state investment promotion and trade development agency under the Ministry of Economy, providing free advisory and matchmaking services to foreign investors and Slovak SMEs through investment facilitation, trade missions, the Find In Slovakia portal, and the Export Academy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Investment Promotion and Trade Development Services

NAICS

International Affairs (92812)

SIC

Services-Services, Nec (8900)

akta.pro primary industry

Donor Coordination, Monitoring & Evaluation (MEL) Programs (BPADABAN)

Keywords

• Investment promotion agency
• Trade development services
• SME internationalization support
• Foreign direct investment advisory
• B2B matchmaking services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bratislava

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Government funding: SARIO is a state-funded agency under the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic. Its operations and services are financed through government budget allocations and EU-funded programs (e.g., Operational Programme Research and Innovation, Programme Slovakia). Services to investors and exporters are provided free of charge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

SARIO is the Slovak state investment promotion and trade development agency under the Ministry of Economy, providing free one-stop-shop services to foreign investors and Slovak exporters. Core offerings include one-on-one investor advisory, site selection, regulatory navigation, supplier identification, B2B matchmaking at trade missions and fairs, the Find In Slovakia online supplier-discovery platform, and the Export Academy educational program, all delivered through the National Project for SME Internationalization co-financed with the Slovak Business Agency.

Product overview

SARIO (Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency) is a state investment promotion and trade development agency operating under the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic. The agency provides a portfolio of services centered around three main pillars: (1) Find In Slovakia - a free platform for Slovak companies to present themselves domestically and abroad for finding suppliers and business opportunities; (2) Export Academy - an educational program offering seminars and webinars on export topics; and (3) the National Project for SME Internationalization - providing support for SME participation in international fairs, business missions, and cooperation events. The agency also facilitates business matchmaking, supports investment attraction, and coordinates the Slovak Space Office.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Find In Slovakia: Free tool for presenting Slovak companies domestically and abroad, helping find new business partners and suppliers.
• Export Academy (Exportná akadémia)
• SARIO Business Day
• Slovak Industry Vision Day

Products and services

• Find In Slovakia Free interactive online tool and B2B matching platform enabling international buyers and foreign investors to search and connect with Slovak suppliers across industries, providing an overview of current Slovak supply-chain structures and new business opportunities.
• Export Academy (Exportná akadémia) Educational seminar and webinar programme providing practical knowledge on exporting, trade regulations, tax legislation, and international business topics for Slovak SMEs and exporters.
• Support for the Internationalization of SMEs 2 (Podpora internacionalizácie MSP 2) Government-sponsored national project providing subsidized organizational and expert support to Slovak SMEs for participation in international exhibitions, business missions, cooperation events, and Export Academy seminars.
• Investor Advisory Services (one-on-one investor servicing) Personalized one-on-one advisory service provided by SARIO to foreign investors and multinationals, covering site selection, regulatory guidance, supplier identification, access to investment incentives, and introductions to local partners.
• Trade Missions and International Fairs Organization Organization of outbound business missions to international markets (e.g., USA, India, Ukraine, China, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan) and national Slovak pavilions at international trade fairs (e.g., ReBuild Ukraine, CISCE), including B2B matchmaking with foreign partners.
• Investment Aid Facilitation (Regional Investment Aid and R&D Superdeduction) Advisory and facilitation of state investment incentives, including regional investment aid, the R&D superdeduction, and other Slovak government incentive programmes available to qualifying investors.
• Voucher Support for SMEs Voucher-based financial support scheme for Slovak SMEs providing subsidies for internationalization activities such as foreign-market entry preparation, certification, and participation in international events.
• Supply Chain Development and Sourcing Services Service identifying and developing Slovak SMEs as suppliers for established foreign investors in Slovakia, addressing sourcing requests and integrating local firms into global value chains.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 700 completed investment projects and more than 150,000 new jobs created in Slovakia over two decades
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic for the Recovery Plan and Knowledge Economy (ÚPPV SR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 July 2025ÚPPV SR co-organizes Slovakia-Ukraine business forums and missions (e.g., Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk) to involve Slovak companies in Ukraine's reconstruction under national and international initiatives.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of UkrainecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2025SARIO signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to cooperate on the NAZOVNI digital platform for supporting exports, building business connections, and facilitating foreign investment, particularly in the context of Ukraine's post-war reconstruction.
• Slovak Business Agency (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SBA is the project partner in the National Project 'Support for the Internationalization of SMEs 2', co-implemented by SARIO under the Operational Programme Research and Innovation. SBA provides individual SME support, operates Trade Points regionally, and promotes EU programme participation.
• Ministry of Economy of the Slovak RepubliccoreOthersSARIO is a state agency under the competence of the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, which sets its strategic direction and provides governmental oversight and funding.
• Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MZVEZ SR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSARIO cooperates with MZVEZ SR on economic diplomacy projects, including organizing national booths at international trade fairs (e.g., ReBuild Ukraine) and the Economic Diplomacy Project scheme that funds bilateral business events.
• Slovak Embassies and ConsulatesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSARIO collaborates with Slovak embassies and consulates worldwide (e.g., SR Embassy in Baku, SR Embassy in Warsaw, SR Embassy in Kyiv, SR Consulate General in Munich) to organize trade missions, business forums, and investment seminars in foreign markets.
• Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSARIO cooperates with WKÖ to organize cooperation events with Austrian trade agents, including the Cooperation Fair with Austrian Trade Agents in Bratislava (March 2026), targeting sectors including machinery, wood/furniture, food, and medical technology.
• Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSARIO co-organizes Slovak-Indian business forums with FICCI, including during the 12th session of the Intergovernmental Commission between the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India.
• Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and IndustrymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSARIO partners with the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry to present business environments and trade support tools at bilateral forums and to facilitate B2B matchmaking between Slovak and Ukrainian companies.
• EXIMBANKA SRmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerEXIMBANKA SR cooperates with SARIO at trade events to present financing instruments and risk mitigation tools for Slovak exporters and companies engaging in international trade, including Ukraine reconstruction projects.
• Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast State AdministrationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal partner in Ukraine for organizing the business mission to Ivano-Frankivsk (June-July 2026), facilitating connections between Slovak and Ukrainian companies.
• UkraineInvestmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerUkraineInvest partners with SARIO at Ukraine-focused business events to present investment opportunities and the Ukrainian business environment to Slovak companies.
• City Government of Ningbo (China)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSARIO collaborates with the City Government of Ningbo and the Expo Center for China-CEE Cooperation to organize Slovakia-China business forums bringing together Slovak companies with Chinese partners from Ningbo.
• Foreign Affairs Office of Hebei Province Government (China)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSARIO works with the Hebei Provincial Government to organize the Slovakia-China Business Forum (Hebei Province), coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Sino-Czech-Slovak Friendship Farm, facilitating trade and investment cooperation.
• Slovak-Austrian Business Chamber (SOHK)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSOHK co-organizes the Cooperation Fair with Austrian Trade Agents alongside SARIO, WKÖ, and the SR Embassy in Vienna.
• Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry — Regional Office Bratislava (SOPK BA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSOPK BA co-organizes cooperation events with Austrian trade agents in partnership with SARIO and WKÖ.
• Office of the President of the Slovak RepublicmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe President's Office co-organizes business forums and missions (e.g., Slovakia-Moldova Business Forum during President Sandu's state visit, Azerbaijan business mission accompanying President Pellegrini's official visit).
• Embassy of Hungary in BratislavaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSARIO co-organizes the Slovakia-Hungary Business Forum with the Hungarian Embassy in Bratislava as part of the annual 'More than Neighbours — Hungarian Culture Week in Bratislava' initiative.
• Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSARIO cooperates with PAIH to organize the Poland-Slovakia Economic Cooperation Forum, involving Polish and Slovak business communities.
• Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Ukraine (Kyiv)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe SR Embassy in Kyiv cooperates with SARIO on organizing national booths at ReBuild Ukraine trade fairs and at Slovak-Ukrainian business forums.
• Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Poland (Warsaw)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe SR Embassy in Warsaw collaborates with SARIO on ReBuild Ukraine exhibitions and other Poland-based economic events.
• Embassy of Uzbekistan in ViennaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Uzbek Embassy in Vienna (also accredited for Slovakia) participated in SARIO-organized business negotiations with the Uzbek Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCJSMDveYuDMkZ_koLDbPfJw
• Facebookfacebook.com/119544731433416
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/slovak-investment-and-trade-development-agency
• Instagraminstagram.com/whyslovakia
• Xx.com/sario_agency

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency