On Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM, the premiere of the event “Transfer of Ownership: Capital Market Opportunities for Companies” took place on the YouTube channel of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange.

The event, organized by the Ljubljana Stock Exchange in collaboration with SPIRIT Slovenia, addressed a key issue for Slovenian companies – ownership transfer. The topic is particularly relevant as over 80% of Slovenian companies are family-owned, making successful ownership transfer crucial for their long-term survival.

When it comes to ownership transfer, entrepreneurs often face various dilemmas. Rok Capl, Director of SPIRIT Slovenia, pointed out that the most common problem with ownership transfer is that the existing owner often does not want to relinquish control. “... it’s a profound and professional process, often tied to human resources, financial and emotional factors” he noted.

In Slovenia, businesses frequently opt for ownership transfer within the family or by selling to a strategic partner. However, the stock exchange presents another option, which remains underutilized in the country. Marko Bombač, President of the Management Board of the Ljubljana Stock Exchange, shed light on the stock exchange's role in ownership transfer. He said that the stock exchange facilitates the gradual sale of shares, which allows existing owners to retain control, and at the same time ensures transparency and high standards of corporate governance.

In the second part of the event, a panel discussion on the challenges and benefits of listing on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange was held.

Karl Kač, Corporate Finance Advisor at NLB, emphasized that while Slovenia’s capital market is relatively active, there is a lack of interest in the public sphere. Many companies prefer selling to foreign strategic investors rather than listing on the stock exchange. However, some Slovenian companies have managed to achieve successful listings. Matej Rigelnik, CEO of Equinox, believes it is a "winning combination" for the company to remain Slovenian while their investor base is spread globally. Such an approach, he argued, should be considered both privately and at the state level.

As an alternative to traditional financing methods, Dejan Divjak, CFO of Incom d.o.o., highlighted the importance of bonds, which are highly beneficial for raising capital compared to bank loans. Nevertheless, companies often opt for more easily accessible credit.

Despite these challenges, there is optimism about the future of Slovenia’s capital market.

During the event, the Ljubljana Stock Exchange and SPIRIT Slovenia presented a pilot project, the Partner Program, aimed at addressing companies’ fears and misconceptions about capital markets through financial education and workshops. “Our goal is to demonstrate to businesses that capital markets are notjust for large players but are also suitable for successful medium-sized, large, and even small companies,” emphasized Mr. Bombač.

The event clearly highlighted that opportunities for successful ownership transfer in Slovenia exist, but companies often fail to take full advantage of the possibilities offered by capital markets.

The full recording of the event is available at the following link: (1) Prenos lastništva: Priložnosti podjetnikov na kapitalskem trgu - YouTube