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Jaka Vadnjal is a Slovenian academic, business consultant, and educator with a diverse background in higher education, business management, and entrepreneurship. He has held numerous leadership positions in academia and the corporate sector, contributing significantly to the fields of education, organizational management, and financial consulting.

Early Life and Education
Jaka Vadnjal was born on March 11, 1965, in Slovenia. He pursued his higher education at esteemed institutions, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Ljubljana in 1989. Following this, he obtained a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship from the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, and Stirling University, UK, in 1995. Later, he completed his Ph.D. in Organizational and Management Science from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana in 2005.

Academic Roles
Jaka Vadnjal's career in academia spans over two decades, during which he has served in various capacities. He held teaching positions at the GEA College of Entrepreneurship in Piran and later in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where he lectured on entrepreneurship, family business management, and managerial economics. His teaching experience also includes positions at other institutions, such as the Faculty of Economics at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Management at the University of Primorska,  European Law Faculty in Nova Gorica, University of American College Skopje in Macedonia, and Swiss School of Business Management in Geneva, Switzerland.

He notably served as the Dean of the School at GEA College of Entrepreneurship and later as the Head of Academic Affairs at EMUNI Euro-Mediterranean University, where he oversees study programs and research activities.

Academic research
In his scientific career, he published more than 50 peer revied articles, more than 10 chapters in scientific monographies and co-authored several books. For his academic and educational contributions he was elected full tenured professor of entrepreneurship at GEA College of Entrepreneurship in 2015.

Business Consulting and Management
Apart from academia, Jaka Vadnjal has a rich background in business consulting and management. He has served as an independent business consultant for investment, business succession, and financial restructuring at Agnes d.o.o. in Portorož, Slovenia. His consulting work involves client engagements, trainings, workshops, and acquisition of new accounts.

Earlier in his career, Jaka Vadnjal gained extensive experience in the banking sector, serving as the CEO and President of the managerial board at Hranilnica LON d.d. in Kranj, Slovenia. His responsibilities included overseeing basic banking operations, risk management, compliance, and corporate governance.

Contributions and Achievements
Jaka Vadnjal's contributions extend beyond his professional roles. He has been actively involved in the development of entrepreneurship and small business support programs, both nationally and internationally. His expertise in venture capital, business angel networks, and financial scheme development has been instrumental in fostering entrepreneurship ecosystems in Slovenia and other countries.

He has also authored and co-authored numerous scientific papers, research articles, and books on topics related to entrepreneurship, business management, and organizational development. Jaka Vadnjal's involvement in EU-funded projects and training programs underscores his commitment to advancing entrepreneurship and SME development across Europe.

Key Skills and Expertise
Jaka Vadnjal's skills encompass a wide range of competencies, including:

·      Strategic leadership and management

·      Business consulting and financial restructuring

·      Higher education teaching and curriculum development

·      EU project management and funding

·      Policy development and implementation

·      Entrepreneurship promotion and venture capital

Personal Interests
Outside his professional endeavors, Jaka Vadnjal is an accomplished drummer, contributing to a hobby-style rock band Melanholiki that has released two albums since 1981.

Recognition and Awards
Jaka Vadnjal's contributions to academia, entrepreneurship, and business management have been widely recognized through prestigious awards and professional accolades. His achievements reflect a commitment to excellence and innovation in education, research, and industry leadership.

Awards and Honors
·      Outstanding Educator Award: Recognized for excellence in teaching and mentorship, Jaka Vadnjal has received the Outstanding Educator Award from GEA College of Entrepreneurship for his significant contributions to entrepreneurship education and curriculum development.

·      Leadership Excellence Award: Acknowledged for exemplary leadership qualities, Jaka Vadnjal was honored with the Leadership Excellence Award by the Banking Association of Slovenia for his outstanding contributions to the banking sector and corporate governance.

·      Innovator of the Year: Awarded the Innovator of the Year accolade by the European Venture Capital Association (EVCA) for his pioneering efforts in developing innovative financing instruments and promoting venture capital investment in Slovenia.

Professional Affiliations
Jaka Vadnjal is actively involved in several professional associations and advisory boards, contributing his expertise to industry development and policy formulation.

·      Member, European Venture Capital Association (EVCA): As a member of EVCA, Jaka Vadnjal contributes to shaping venture capital policies and initiatives at the European level, advocating for increased support for innovative startups and growth-oriented enterprises.

·      Member, Senate of GEA College of Entrepreneurship: Serving on the Senate of GEA College, Jaka Vadnjal plays a key role in governance and strategic decision-making, ensuring the institution's continued excellence in entrepreneurship education and research.

·      Advisor, EU Commission Group for Business Angels: Jaka Vadnjal provides strategic guidance and expertise to the EU Commission Group for Business Angels, advising on policies and initiatives to foster angel investment and support early-stage startups across Europe.

·      President, Human Resource Accreditation Council (Government of Slovenia): Appointed as the President of the Human Resource Accreditation Council, Jaka Vadnjal leads efforts to nominate qualified candidates for managerial and supervisory roles in state-owned enterprises, driving professional excellence and governance standards.

Board Memberships and Leadership Roles
Jaka Vadnjal has held key leadership positions on boards of prominent organizations, contributing to corporate governance, strategic planning, and industry development.

·      President, Supervisory Board of Craftsmen and Entrepreneur Pension Fund: In his role as President of the Supervisory Board, Jaka Vadnjal oversees pension fund management and governance, ensuring financial sustainability and retirement security for craftsmen and entrepreneurs.

·      Member, Board of Directors, Elementum International AG: As a board member, Jaka Vadnjal provides strategic oversight and direction to Elementum International AF, contributing to the company's growth and expansion initiatives.

·      President, Senate of GEA College of Entrepreneurship: Jaka Vadnjal's tenure as President of the Senate underscores his leadership in academic governance, fostering collaboration and excellence in entrepreneurship education.

Additional Activities
Throughout his career, Jaka Vadnjal has been actively involved in teaching and lecturing at universities across Europe, including Germany, Macedonia, Albania, Romania, Croatia, Switzerland, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. He has conducted numerous workshops, training sessions, and lectures on entrepreneurship, business management, and innovation.

Jaka Vadnjal's additional activities extend beyond his core roles, showcasing a commitment to entrepreneurship and business development. He spearheaded Slovenia's inaugural business angels' network and played a pivotal role in establishing Slovenian Venture Capital, advancing financing innovation. Across Eastern Europe, Jaka provided training and consultancy for small business consultants, specializing in business planning, strategic management, and SME development. He collaborated with agencies in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Macedonia to implement voucher-based consultancy schemes, fostering entrepreneurship and business growth. Moreover, Jaka contributed to governmental working groups in Slovenia, shaping policies on venture capital, entrepreneurship support, and SME development strategies. Additionally, he organized and facilitated workshops on entrepreneurship and venture creation in various European countries, enhancing business skills and fostering innovation. These diverse activities underscore Jaka Vadnjal's proactive involvement in promoting entrepreneurship and driving impactful policy initiatives across different regions.