In media

Eastern Slovakia has high-quality research, skilled experts and advanced technologies. The challenge, however, is translating research findings into real-world applications that benefit companies, patients and society. Experts from science, medicine, technology and business discussed the barriers to this process and potential solutions at the EASTMED 2026 – Where Science Meets Business conference.

Košice IT Valley has announced the winners of the second annual ESG Awards, recognizing companies and individuals whose commitment to environmental responsibility, social impact, and transparent governance (ESG) is helping make Eastern Slovakia a better place to live.

The slowdown in average salary growth in the highest-paying sector of the Slovak economy continues. After the largest year-over-year decline in nominal wages in the information and communications sector since the end of 2022, recorded in February, salaries returned to positive growth in March.

“Companies are becoming more cautious when increasing salaries and are no longer offering raises as aggressively as they did in the past. At the same time, the share of people working outside traditional permanent employment arrangements is growing, either as freelancers or through their own limited liability companies,” commented Miriama Hučková, Executive Director of Košice IT Valley. “As a result, part of the actual growth in income is shifting outside the standard average wage statistics,” she added.

IT professionals are no longer seeing salaries grow at the pace of previous years. The rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping job requirements, while higher payroll taxes and labor costs are putting pressure on employers. Companies are becoming more cautious, and demand for some IT roles is stabilizing or declining.

Eastern Slovakia is transforming into a modern automotive hub built on innovation, digitalization, and AI. The arrival of Volvo, together with a strong automotive and IT sector and solid academic background, is creating a unique high-value ecosystem with strong potential for future growth.

Košice IT Valley has been developing young talent for the fifth consecutive year through the Lab IT Creativity 2.0 project. In cooperation with schools, universities, and IT companies, it supports digital, technical, and entrepreneurial skills. Activities implemented together with the Slovak Business Agency engaged more than 160 students from 17 secondary schools.

Slovakia has long faced a shortage of qualified labor and a continuing outflow of talent abroad. The latest data from the Central Office of Labor, Social Affairs and Family (ÚPSVaR) and the Košice IT Valley survey confirm that foreign workers play an increasingly important role in maintaining the competitiveness of Slovak companies.

The MedTech Day 2026 conference in Košice highlighted the potential of Eastern Slovakia to become a hub for healthcare innovation. By connecting hospitals, universities, startups, and tech companies, the initiative aims to accelerate digital solutions, support research, and create globally competitive MedTech projects.

Hockey and the IT sector in Košice once again joined forces. The match between HC Košice and HK Nitra at Steel Aréna brought together hundreds of IT employees and their families. The goal was to support the team and show that the IT community stands united in business and in the stands.