In September 2024, the ESET Foundation, in collaboration with Civitta, launched the Challenger Science programme, which enables participants to identify opportunities to translate scientific knowledge into practice and its impact on society. 27 participants from six universities and the Slovak Academy of Sciences were selected for the programme. Each of these talented scientists brought insights from different scientific fields to the programme.

The Challenger Science programme culminated in a public final in December 2024, where participants presented their innovative solutions. After three months of intensive training, ten finalists presented their projects at the Challenger Science final. "Some projects would have been worthy of investment after this short presentation. Challenger Science has taken them leaps and bounds forward," Palo Luka, COO of ESET, praised the readiness of the finalists to the judges.

The expert jury awarded first place to the PoxyMed team from the Institute of Polymers of the Slovak Academy of Sciences for their technology for targeted drug delivery directly to the site of action. The main prize is a trip to the prestigious technology fair Viva Tech 2025 in Paris.

The main goal of the Challenger Science programme, organised by Civitta in cooperation with the ESET Foundation as the main partner, is to support scientists in Slovakia in developing entrepreneurial skills and commercialising their scientific projects.

Finalists of the Challenger Science Accelerator:

Ján Lacko - Faculty of Computer Science, Pan-European University - Use of Artificial Intelligence for Neurodegenerative Diseases Diagnosis and Patient Rehabilitation

Zuzana Vince Kážmérová - Biomedical Centre, Slovak Academy of Sciences - Development of diagnostic markers for identification of metabolically associated liver steatosis (MASLD).

Kristína Macáková - Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University - Development of new biological markers for early diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Natália Stollárová - Faculty of Pharmacy, Comenius University - Adaptation of treatment and drug consumption based on patient's genetic information.

INFANTSIM - Faculty of Medicine , Comenius University - Development of a realistic neonatal model for training of surgical operations with minimal intervention.

ANIMATO - FunGlass, Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín - Production of innovative glass and ceramic materials in the field of environmental and biomedical. engineering.

PoxyMed - Institute of Polymers, Slovak Academy of Sciences - Development of innovative polymers and hydrogels for implantable materials with antibacterial properties.

DEKK Institute - DEKK Institute - Analysis of the dynamics of social cohesion in Slovakia and Europe and designing measures to strengthen it.

University Five - Faculty of Health and Social Work, University of Trnava - Development of new therapeutic methods and diagnostic tests for cancer detection.

Food Incubator - AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra - Development of new food technologies and healthy alternatives for a healthier society.