Going BIG in Texas - Slovak House
Going BIG in Texas
Bridging Slovakia and Texas for Global Business Growth
Slovak House returns to Austin to connect Slovak companies with the Texas business ecosystem and support their growth in the U.S. market.
Texas is one of the most competitive and business-driven environments in the United States. Slovakia brings strong engineering talent, advanced technologies, and companies ready to scale internationally. Slovak House creates a focused setting where these strengths meet through real conversations, practical insights, and direct connections.
Slovak House brings together founders, executives, investors, and public-sector leaders who are actively building and scaling businesses between Europe and the United States.
The program features senior American industry leaders, Slovak founders expanding in the U.S., and institutions supporting cross-border growth. Expect a sharp agenda, relevant speakers, and time to build relationships that matter.
PROGRAM – SLOVAK HOUSE
📌 12:00 PM – Lunch & Networking
Live music by Ashley Abrman
📌 1:00 PM – Introduction & Welcome
Andrej Droba – Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to the United States
Egon Zorad - Executive Director of SARIO – Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency
📌 1:15 PM – Slovakia as a Business & Innovation Partner
Vladimir Lackovic – Special Representative to the U.S. for Trade and Investment
SARIO – Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency
📌 1:30 PM – AI at Scale: Industry Perspective from Texas
Kelly Dowd - AVP of Data Science & Applied AI at AT&T
📌 1:50 PM – Founder Interview: Building a Global Company from Europe to the U.S. - Brightpick
Jan Zizka & Ivka Zizkova
Moderator: Jozef Hrusovsky
📌 2:30 PM – Coffee Break & Networking
Live music by Ashley Abrman
📌 3:00 PM – Keynote Address: Texas and Global Business Growth
Jane Nelson – Texas Secretary of State
📌 3:20 PM – Slovak Innovation Showcase
Curated pitches from Slovak companies expanding in the U.S. market
📌 4:05 PM – Women, Leadership & Success
Kristina Sobolciakova – Women Who Mean Business 2025 Winner
📌 4:15 PM – Interview: Building Companies Across Borders
Martin Valko – Immigration Attorney at Chavez & Valko LLP
Moderator: Andrea Hrusovska
📌 4:40 PM – Accelerating Dual-Use Technology
Marcos Cervantes – CEO of Q-Branch
📌 4:55 PM – Closing Remarks
📌 5:00 PM – Live Music
Waking Vision feat Martin Valihora, John Shannon, Peter Slavov
📌 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM – Evening Reception
Networking with Slovak food and drinks
📌 9:00 PM Slovak Jazz Night in Texas (Off-Site Event)
Live Performance by World-Class Jazz Artists
Waking Vision feat Martin Valihora, John Shannon, Peter Slavov
Location: EUREKA!
This Slovak jazz night is made possible thanks the generous support of Chavez & Valko LLP
Advisory & Mentorship Program for Slovak Companies
The morning program of Slovak House is dedicated to practical advisory and mentorship sessions for a selected group of Slovak companies preparing to grow and engage with the U.S. market. Founders will work directly with experienced business mentors through short company presentations, live pitching, and interactive workshops focused on strategy, market positioning, and real-world execution. The sessions are designed to deliver actionable feedback, challenge assumptions, and help companies refine their next steps with U.S. partners and customers.
If you are interested in meeting the founders and engaging with the companies during the morning sessions, you are welcome to join.
📌 10:00 – 10:15 AM Introduction & Welcome
Founders, companies, and U.S. partners
📌 10:15 – 10:30 AM Company Presentations
📌 10:30 – 11:30 AM Workshop, Pitching & Mentorship Sessions
Mentors:
Jason L. Moore – Senior Patent Technical Specialist, Nixon Peabody LLP
Sean Herrity - US Market Entry Specialist, US Trade Consult
Andrea Hrusovská - Business Coach & HR leader, HR4U Solutions & Forbes Council
Slovak House in Texas is organized through a partnership of the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington, D.C., Slovak PRO, the Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic to Texas, and partner organizations.