The Role of Supporting Entrepreneurial Mechanisms in the Ljubljana Urban Region: The Case of Poni Lur

Avtorji

Črtomir Raspor Josipovič
Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za organizacijske vede
Damir Josipovič
Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9321-4371
Dejan Marinčič
Regionalna razvojna agencija - ljubljanske urbane regije
DOI: https://doi.org/10.18690/um.fov.10.205.3

Kratka vsebina

In this paper, we explore the role of supportive entrepreneurial mechanisms in improving the entrepreneurial experience of participants in the PONI LUR program, implemented by the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region. We analyzed the socio-demographics of the program participants and their decisions to pursue an independent entrepreneurial path and their attitudes towards it. We found that 62% of participants established their own company after completing the program, with micro-enterprises in the service sector dominating. Participants highlighted the importance of access to mentoring, financing, practical workshops, and networking, which confirms the theoretical framework of entrepreneurial ecosystems and the importance of social capital. The results of our research reveal that the success of such development programs is closely related to the creation of an inclusive supportive environment and the strengthening of entrepreneurial self-confidence. Program participants usually already develop motivations that they can implement more successfully with appropriate support. Testing the four hypotheses set out in summary showed that higher formal education does not necessarily increase the likelihood of starting a business, and that within the framework of LUR, participants from the MOL area more often decide on an entrepreneurial path. Previous entrepreneurial experience did not have a decisive impact on the sustainability of companies. The majority of respondents (94%) would recommend the program to others, which confirms its quality.

Biografije avtorja

Črtomir Raspor Josipovič, Univerza v Mariboru, Fakulteta za organizacijske vede

Črtomir Raspor Josipovič is a student at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences at the University of Maribor, where he is completing his second year of undergraduate studies in Organization and Management of Human Resources and Educational Systems. His research interests include entrepreneurship, project management, marketing, and business idea development. He complements his academic work with film production activities, focusing on creative storytelling of entrepreneurial narratives. He is interested in entrepreneurial educational programs such as PONI LUR. He has enhanced his competencies in international entrepreneurship through an Erasmus+ exchange at Škoda University in the Czech Republic.

Kranj, Slovenija. E-pošta: crtomir.raspor@student.um.si

Damir Josipovič, Inštitut za narodnostna vprašanja

Dr. Damir Josipovič, geographer and demographer, is employed as a senior research associate at the Institute for Ethnic Studies in Ljubljana, Slovenia. His research interests include geographical and demographic topics. He is interested in international relations, borders, migration, minorities, and ethnic issues on the one hand, and historical and urban geography, socio-economic development and political systems, and issues of post-socialism on the other. He also deals with research methodology, statistical analyses, processing of census and other large datasets.

Ljubljana, Slovenija. E-pošta: damir.josipovic@guest.arnes.si

Dejan Marinčič, Regionalna razvojna agencija - ljubljanske urbane regije

Dejan Marinčič, Master of Health and Social Management, is currently a doctoral student at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Maribor. He is employed as an advisor to the Director for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Regional Development Agency of the Ljubljana Urban Region (RRA LUR). As the project manager of PONI LUR (Enterprising Above Challenges), he is a key mentor for the participants of the program, helping them develop entrepreneurial ideas and enter the market. Under his leadership, the program has achieved a high level of success, with 43 out of 98 participants establishing their own company or activity. Dejan is also active in promoting entrepreneurship in the region, which includes participating in events such as the Traveling Office of European Funds, where he presents the success stories of the PONI program. His dedication and professionalism have contributed to the development of numerous innovative entrepreneurial initiatives in the Ljubljana Urban Region.

Ljubljana, Slovenija. E-pošta: dejan.marincic@rralur.si

Prenosi

PDF

Izdaja

Improving Entrepreneurial Journey

Strani

145-186

Izdano

09.12.2025

Kategorije

Avtorske pravice (c) 2025 Univerza v Mariboru, Univerzitetna založba

Licenca

Creative Commons licenca

To delo je licencirano pod Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 mednarodno licenco.

Kako citirati

Raspor Josipovič, Črtomir, Josipovič, D., & Marinčič, D. (2025). The Role of Supporting Entrepreneurial Mechanisms in the Ljubljana Urban Region: The Case of Poni Lur. In M. Marič & S. Kremsar (Eds.), Improving Entrepreneurial Journey (pp. 145-186). Univerzitetna založba Univerze v Mariboru. https://doi.org/10.18690/um.fov.10.205.3