It comes from the academic environment and was created as a spin-off of the Institute of Mathematics, Physics and Mechanics and the University of Ljubljana, which gives it a strong scientific core. Their core value is the ability to transform complex data and processes into smart, automated and sustainable business models that deliver measurable results.
Abelium is a team of top mathematicians and IT professionals, many PhDs, and their passion is solving business problems that others find unsolvable. Their well-known successful collaborations include GoOpti, SPIRIT Slovenia, projects with ESA (European Space Agency), INATrace and other challenging global projects. They focus on industry optimizations, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, and innovative business models.
Their biggest challenge is the acquisition of new top talent, and the biggest advantage is the ability to develop their own algorithms tailored to the specific needs of their clients.
They put people, company culture, knowledge and close connection to the academy at the forefront and act as a center of excellence for the most challenging deep-tech projects. Sustainability, transparency and social responsibility are at the heart of their vision and solutions — from business optimisation to CO₂ reduction and fair trade.
In the future, they want to remain a global partner for the most complex industry challenges and co-create the future of complex decision automation.
BEGINNINGS
Abelium specializes in solving the most challenging business challenges using advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence, mathematical models and breakthrough technologies such as blockchain. Simply put: We transform complex data and processes into smart, automated and sustainable business models and technology solutions that deliver measurable results to our partners.
Our story officially began in 2009; the founders come from academia. Abelium was founded as a spin-off company, closely linked to research work at the Institute of Mathematics, Physics and Mechanics and the University of Ljubljana. The turning point was the realization that with deep research knowledge in the field of mathematical optimizations (and other so-called deep-tech technologies) we need to be present in the market - where our customers are active, that is, within the industry. Only in this way is it possible to achieve an effect for end users - in our case, by mastering complex problems. The realization has matured that our products are innovative business models based on technology as a unique advantage over the competition. One of the first successful companies was the award-winning innovative transportation marketplace GoOpti, which we developed in close collaboration with the founders of GoOpti.
Looking back, we would probably have placed a stronger emphasis on building the product and the market in parallel, in close contact with end users. In the beginning, we were completely focused on development/technical/research work and placed too much trust in specialists (in fact intermediaries, such as e.g. VCs, startup teams, clients) who thought they knew the market well.
TODAY'S TIMES AND CHALLENGES
As with many high-tech companies, the biggest challenge in our country is getting top professionals. The core of our collective consists mainly of mathematicians and IT specialists of the highest caliber. It is extremely difficult to find technically specialized personnel in Slovenia, which is why we are constantly looking for talents who are ready to solve the most difficult challenges.
Abelium we are first and foremost the people who make up a top team. Today we work closely with around 100 exceptional individuals from Slovenia, on various breakthrough projects around the world. Years ago, we decided to grow organically by hiring, but also by connecting with similar companies. We also strongly support cooperation with the academy, students and students. It is the decision to put people and culture in the company first, before individual projects or clients, that is the basis for the excellent results of the group.
PEOPLE, CULTURE, TEAM
We are a team of top mathematicians and IT professionals who are focused on a satisfied user. We are curious, analytical, responsible, self-initiated and truly passionate about solving problems and puzzles that others find unsolvable. Our customers see us as an ICT team whose products are easy to operate (solve a business problem and technically work).
When looking for new colleagues, the following are important to us: deep technical knowledge, self-initiative, the ability to learn quickly and “cultural fit” - that the person is a team player who is aware of his limitations and compensates for them by collaborating with others and shares our passion for innovation. We are looking for people who are not afraid of complexity. They are found mainly through close links with universities and research institutes and, of course, through recommendations. Recently, we have been found by them.
The main motivation of the team comes mainly from the nature of the work — we solve really difficult and important challenges; with the most modern “deep-tech” technologies. We carefully select the problems we tackle and the clients we work with. If possible, we select in the team the carrier that is interested in the problem. We encourage self-initiative, yet we devote a lot of time to a broader debate about all the business and technological specifics of the problem. Teams are formed dynamically, around the project, based on the competencies sought; in case someone gets stuck, we all love to help. We encourage the continuous exchange of knowledge and support research, including in theory, e.g. through scientific publications, etc.
Our teambuildings are usually a mixture of active spending time in nature (excursions, group games) and relaxed socializing, where we can get to know individuals even outside of work tasks. Often it is also about visits to professional events around the world. The most memorable moments are those when, after several weeks or months of work on a complex algorithm, we get the response of the end user, who “at least a little” improved his day - when we see that the solution works in practice and brings real results.
SOCIAL ROLE AND PUBLIC IMAGE
We present ourselves to the public as experts and leaders in the fields of: applied mathematics, industry optimizations, innovative business models, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and blockchain. Our main channels are: recommendations of existing subscribers (WOM), a website where we present in detail case studies (GoOpti, ESA, Flare, SPIRIT, INATrace, Court, Arnes...), professional articles and publications at conferences and a strong presence in the academic sphere. We are mainly active on LinkedIn - with product descriptions, but we do not carry out classic promotion activities.
Sustainability and social responsibility are key strategic directions of our company. This is not just a flop; we are actively developing solutions that prove it. We support and facilitate various academic, study and charitable activities in Slovenia. Perhaps we give two examples:
- Sustainable logistics:Our optimization algorithms (like those for GoOpti) directly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions through better route planning.
- Fair Trade:Using blockchain technology, we have developed the InATrace system to monitor transparency and traceability in agriculture, using the example of the coffee supply chain from the farmer in Rwanda to the final packaging in the EU, ensuring transparency in the chain and fair payment (especially for women in Rwanda) at the beginning of the chain.
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND FUTURE
Slovenia has an exceptional pool of technical talent, which is crucial for a company like ours. On the other hand, the market is relatively small, which forces us from the very beginning to compete internationally and penetrate foreign markets. The business environment is getting worse every year, especially companies are suffocated by more and more senseless bureaucracy.
The country could do significantly more for competitiveness than it does now. For example, by copying what works elsewhere in the EU (share reward with ESOP, tax cap, less bureaucracy, corporate sandboxes, positive legislation, country first buyer...), or by listening to successful entrepreneurs. In countries with which we like to compare, they think more strategically and work with the economy to develop the vision. And the projects they start, they also complete.
If we had a magic wand, we would reduce administrative burdens in the business environment and simplify the tax environment in order to focus primarily on development and the market, and reward top professionals comparable to abroad.
Five years from now, we see ourselves as one of Europe's leading “centres of excellence” for niche areas of optimization in industry and other breakthrough deep-tech areas (e.g. mathematical optimizations, artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity). Our long-term vision is to be a globally recognized partner to solve the most complex problems in the industry that require deep research knowledge.
The trends in our industry that we believe will have the most impact on the future are certainly the integration of generative AI into complex decision systems (not just as chatbots) and other breakthrough technologies to provide transparency, security and innovation in the field of interactions in business ecosystems.
We come from the research sphere, so constantly monitoring trends and learning is part of our DNA. We devote a large part of our time to internal research and market research, and we also participate in several research groups/programs/projects, which allows us to always be one step ahead of the market.
We have a strong international focus as we participate in global projects. We actively focus on the markets of the EU (DACH, Scandinavia), the USA and global financial centers, where we see the greatest potential for our specialized knowledge.
Our key competitive advantage in the future will be our deep scientific foundation. We are not only integrators of existing tools; we are able to develop completely new, proprietary algorithms and models tailored to specific problems that standard solutions cannot solve.
If we were to predict the single biggest opportunity for our industry to grow over the next decade, it would be the automation of complex decision-making and the orchestration of activities between people, platforms, data, robots and artificial intelligence. Not just automating routine tasks, but using AI to make strategic decisions and execute activities in real time — from managing supply chains to managing energy networks and financial markets.
Sustainability is very important to our company. Sustainability is embedded in our core strategic orientations and in our solutions; either through optimization (less resource consumption, less CO2, energy efficiency) or through transparency (traceability, fair trade) or investment in youth development.
FUN RUBRIC
If our company were a music band — what genre would we play?Probably some kind of progressive rock or “math rock” — complex structures, precision, unexpected twists and lots of “smart” elements.
The applications that we have most often open on our work phone?Slack, X, Jira, email, and probably some SSH client and browser.
Who is the biggest “geek”, entertainer or coffee addict on our team?We have quite a few “geeks” who are also entertainers at the same time. When it comes to coffee — our coffee machines are probably the most loaded and prized piece of equipment in the entire office.
Which emoji best describes a company or product?
💡 (Idea)
📈 (Data/Analytics)
🔗 (Network)
🧠 (Brain)
🚀 (Result)
What is an internal joke or phrase that we all know in the company?
“Our strategy is to let ourselves be happy”.
CONCLUSION
Message to young people considering a career in technology, entrepreneurship
Do not be afraid of mathematics and theoretical basics. Technology is constantly changing, but fundamental knowledge in the field of problem solving, algorithms, statistics and optimization is eternal and will open the door for you to solve the most interesting and important problems of the future. You will be able to co-create the future with them.
