As an advisor at Kolektor Digital, I empowered our portfolio startups operating in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine vision, and intelligent collaborative robotics with effective marketing and business development strategies and tactics. Currently, I hold the position of Business Development Consultant at one of Kolektor's portfolio startups, Qlector, where we specialize in the next generation of AI-powered production planning, scheduling, and optimization solutions.Prior to this, I began my career at Business Daily Finance, one of the largest newspaper companies in Slovenia owned by Bonnier AB. Here, I served as an editor and journalist, covering entrepreneurship and startups, as well as undertaking roles as a project manager and managing editor. As a determined investigative journalist, I played a role in expediting the removal of legal barriers for entrepreneurs in Slovenia. Additionally, I created and managed the first startup competition in Slovenia, "Najpodjetniška ideja," which remains an integral part of the Slovenian startup ecosystem.As director of special advertising projects at Žurnal media, a newspaper publisher owned by the Austrian Styria Media Group AG, I polished my skills in management, marketing and communication. At D·Labs, a start-up company operating in Ljubljana and London, I gained experience as Chief Client Officer and learned the rules of lean, agile and fast-growing high-tech companies.Through my work for Start:up Slovenia and the PODIM conference, I acquired extensive knowledge of building effective startup ecosystems, particularly in the areas of mentorship, promotion, and funding support for early-stage startups. As an advisory board member for companies that received investment from the Slovene Enterprise Fund, I gained behind-the-scenes insights into the work and lives of some of Slovenia's leading startups, such as VIAR, OriginTrail, and others.