Krajská inovačná rozvojová agentúra

What Krajská inovačná rozvojová agentúra does

KIRA – Krajská inovačná rozvojová agentúra Trnavského kraja is a non-profit regional innovation and development agency established in 2019 by Trnavský samosprávny kraj (Trnava Self-Governing Region) in Slovakia. The agency operates as a regional ecosystem builder connecting public administration, universities, SMEs, NGOs, and civil society to advance innovation, STEM education, youth support, and civic engagement across the Trnava region. Its core offerings include the Mobilný inovačný lab (a mobile STEM education center deployed to schools), KIRA Kampus (a year-long talent retention program with free housing for university students), Škola inovácií (innovation education for secondary students), DOBROprogram (youth volunteer grants), and the Regional Innovation Strategy 2025-2029. KIRA also operates the Europe Direct Trnava information center and a regional Data Hub publishing open data on demographics, education, and infrastructure.

The agency is funded primarily through public sources: EU programs (Program Slovensko, European Regional Development Fund), Slovak government ministries (Investments/Regional Development, Labor/Social Affairs, Education), and allocations from its parent regional authority. The largest known revenue envelope is 6,860,733 EUR for the Regional Innovation Ecosystem Development project covering 2024-2029, supplemented by 346,966.99 EUR for the Youth Guarantees Regional Partnership Council. KIRA does not charge beneficiaries for services — all offerings are free, funded by public grants. The organization is led by Director Viktor Maroši and Deputy Director Marek Krnňáč, with approximately 30 team members across departments including Office, Regional Innovation Ecosystem Development, Europe Direct Trnava, Regional Brand, SME Support, Volunteer Support, and youth-focused initiatives. The technology footprint is administrative and educational rather than proprietary; KIRA maintains a website, newsletter, event infrastructure, and the Data Hub, but develops no commercial software products.

Name

Krajská inovačná rozvojová agentúra

Legal name

Krajská inovačná a rozvojová agentúra Trnavského samosprávneho kraja (KIRA), n.o.

Website

https://kira.sk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KIRA is a non-profit regional innovation and development agency established in 2019 by Trnavský samosprávny kraj in Slovakia. It serves as an ecosystem builder connecting public administration, universities, SMEs, NGOs, and youth across the Trnava region through STEM education, innovation programs, and EU-funded regional development projects.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Development Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Support Services (6117), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAJADAH

Virtual Tutoring & Academic Intervention (K–12)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Online & Virtual Schools

SECONDARYEDAJADAL

Virtual CTE & Career Pathways Programs (K–12)

Education/K–12 / Primary & Secondary Education/K–12 Online & Virtual Schools

Keywords

• Regional innovation services
• Public sector consulting
• STEM education programs
• Youth development services
• Volunteer program coordination

Headquarters

HQ city

Trnava

HQ country

Slovakia

HQ region

Europe

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. Public Funding and EU Grants: KIRA is funded through Trnavský samosprávny kraj (Trnava Self-Governing Region) and operates projects financed by European Union funds (Program Slovensko, EFRR), Slovak government ministries, and other public sources.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KIRA is a publicly mandated regional innovation and development agency that designs and implements programs for the Trnava region, including STEM education delivery through a Mobile Innovation Lab, a year-long talent retention program (KIRA Kampus), innovation education for students (Škola inovácií), volunteer grant schemes (DOBROprogram), youth engagement conferences, and open regional data services. All services are provided free of charge to public sector bodies, schools, NGOs, SMEs, and youth in the region.

Product overview

KIRA – Krajská inovačná rozvojová agentúra is a regional innovation and development agency for Trnavský Self-Governing Region, operating since 2019. The organization functions as an ecosystem builder rather than a traditional software company, offering a portfolio of programs and initiatives focused on regional innovation, STEM education, youth support, and civic development. The core offerings include the Mobilný inovačný lab (Mobile Innovation Lab) – a modular technology center visiting schools with 3D printing, AR/VR, robotics and sensor technologies; KIRA Kampus – a talent retention program providing free housing and mentoring for university students; Škola inovácií – an innovation education program for primary and secondary school students; and various youth programs including Konferencia Nestrať sa and the Youth Guarantees Regional Partnership. The organization also maintains a Data Hub providing open data on demographics, municipalities, and regional statistics for Trnavský kraj.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mobilný inovačný lab (Mobile Innovation Lab) Modular technology center that travels to schools, bringing modern STEM education directly into classrooms. Enables students to work with technologies such as 3D printing, AR/VR, robotics, microelectronics, and intelligent sensors. Designed for schools and educational institutions in the Trnava region.
• KIRA Kampus Year-long intensive program for 6 talented university students providing free housing in the historic Nádvorie complex in the center of Trnava, along with mentoring, workshops, trainings, and community gatherings to develop personal and professional skills.
• Škola inovácií (Innovation School) Innovation education program for students from 8th and 9th grade primary schools and 1st and 2nd year secondary schools, teaching them to identify problems, find inspiration, and create solutions through team projects with mentors.
• DOBROprogram 2025 Grant and support program for short-term volunteering activities organized by non-profit organizations and civic associations in Trnavský kraj, focused particularly on youth and their involvement in community.
• Konferencia Nestrať sa 2025 Regional conference bringing together young people from secondary schools and youth communities in Trnavský kraj, featuring discussions, workshops, and open dialogue about mental health, volunteering, engagement, and challenges facing today's youth.
• Rada regionálneho partnerstva Záruky pre mladých (Youth Guarantees Regional Partnership Council) Regional partnership council for Youth Guarantees in Trnavský Self-Governing Region, serving as the main platform for preparation, approval, and implementation of the regional Youth Guarantee Action Plan for young people aged 15-29, particularly NEET individuals.
• Regionálna inovačná stratégia TTSK 2025-2029 Regional innovation strategy for Trnavský Self-Governing Region 2025-2029, serving as the fundamental framework for the development of innovations, talent, research, industry, and digital and green transformation across the entire region.
• Dáta Trnavského kraja (Data Hub) Open data platform providing demographic, municipal, industrial parks, secondary schools, housing, higher education, cycling, education, healthcare, and youth progress index data for Trnavský kraj.
• DOBROraňajky Corporate volunteering event connecting the business sector with non-profit organizations in Trnava's cultural center Malý Berlín, providing a platform for sharing knowledge about corporate social responsibility.
• Europe Direct Trnava European information center operated by KIRA providing citizens with information about EU policies, funding opportunities, and European initiatives for the Trnava region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50+ projects implemented since 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

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

• Ministerstvo investícií, regionálneho rozvoja a informatizácie SRcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry responsible for regional development and digitalization provides strategic direction and manages EU funding programs that KIRA implements.
• Trnavský samosprávny krajcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization that established KIRA in 2019. Provides mandate, co-funding, and strategic direction for regional development activities.
• Trnavská univerzita (University of Trnava)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in innovation ecosystem development, hosts Campus program participants, contributes to regional innovation strategy.
• STU MTF (Slovak University of Technology, Faculty of Materials Technology)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university partner contributing to STEM education and innovation initiatives.
• UCM (University of Constantine the Philosopher in Trnava)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner in regional innovation ecosystem, participates in Campus program and innovation activities.
• LifestartermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovation and startup support organization partnering on ecosystem development initiatives.
• SBA (Slovak Business Agency)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational agency supporting small and medium enterprises, collaborates on SME support initiatives.
• Digitálna koalícia (Digital Coalition)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on digital transformation initiatives for the region.
• CVTI SR (Centre for Scientific and Technical Information)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributes to innovation and research support activities in the regional ecosystem.
• NádvoriemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity space partner hosting Campus program and other innovation activities in historic Trnava center.
• BaterkáreňmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity reuse center collaborating on corporate volunteering (DOBROraňajky) and sustainability initiatives.
• UnispaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in innovation ecosystem activities.
• Dobrovoľnícke centrum Trnavského kraja (DCTK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer center implementing DOBROprogram, Volunteer Week, and other volunteering initiatives in partnership with KIRA.
• KCT Trnava (Kultúrne centrum Trnava)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural center partner for regional events and initiatives.
• GenT (Generácia Trnava)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerYouth organization partnership for Škola inovácií (School of Innovation) and other youth initiatives.
• Ministerstvo práce, sociálnych vecí a rodiny SRmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry responsible for labor and social affairs, key partner for Youth Guarantees Regional Partnership Council project targeting NEET youth.
• Ministerstvo školstva, výzkumu, vývoja a mládeže SRmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMinistry of Education supporting youth programs including DOBROprogram through NIVAM.
• NIVAM (Národný inštitút vzdelávania a mládeže)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdministers youth grants that fund DOBROprogram for youth volunteering initiatives.
• Junior Achievement SlovenskominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational organization partner for entrepreneurship and innovation education programs.
• ChamCham (Business Chambers Network)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNetwork of bilateral business chambers (Slovak-Austrian, Italian-Slovak, Dutch, German, American, British, Swedish, etc.) co-organizing Speed Business Meeting events.
• Región TrnavaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional branding and tourism promotion partnership.
• BystrinyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development organization partner.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Slovak Business Agency (SBA): Slovakia's national agency supporting SMEs and entrepreneurship, with overlapping remit on innovation support and regional development. Directly comparable as a publicly funded Slovak agency providing business/innovation assistance; differs only in operating at national rather than regional level.
• SARIO (Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency): Slovakia's national investment and trade development agency, established by the Ministry of Economy. Comparable as a government-backed development agency focused on economic development, foreign investment, and SME support within Slovakia.
• CzechInvest: Czech Republic's investment and business development agency operating under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Closely comparable mission of regional innovation support, SME development, and attracting investment in a neighboring Central European country.
• BIC Bratislava: Business Innovation Center in Bratislava focused on SME incubation, innovation support, and entrepreneurship. Comparable as a Slovak innovation intermediary with overlapping mission in SME/innovation support and ecosystem building.
• NIVAM (Národný inštitút vzdelávania a mládeže): Slovak national institute for education and youth that administers youth grants (including those flowing to KIRA's DOBROprogram). Directly comparable as a public-sector body supporting youth education, volunteering, and development programs in Slovakia.

Broad incumbents

• Enterprise Estonia (EAS): Estonian national foundation providing business development, innovation, and regional development services. Comparable public-sector innovation/SME agency but operating nationally with broader mandate and resources than KIRA.
• Business Finland: Finnish national innovation funding and business development organization. Comparable public-sector innovation agency but with substantially larger scale and broader national mandate than KIRA's regional focus.
• Innovate UK: UK's national innovation agency funding business R&D and innovation. Comparable mission of public-sector innovation ecosystem development, though operating at much greater scale and with a different funding model.

Emerging players

• Junior Achievement Slovensko: Slovak member of the global JA network delivering entrepreneurship and innovation education to K-12 students. Comparable as a publicly funded youth education program partnering with KIRA, though narrower in scope (education only).
• Erasmus+ Slovak National Agency (SAAIC): Slovak national agency administering Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programs. Comparable as a public-sector body administering EU education and youth programs in Slovakia, with overlapping target populations (students, youth).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kira-no

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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