Proudly on stage at the national innovation awards
More than just an award: WeFeelFootball and the future of talent development
Ljubljana, September 16, 2025 – At today's ceremony for the CCIS's (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia) national awards for innovation in Brdo pri Kranju, our company received a special prestigious award for the innovation challenge with the WeFeelFootball (WFF) innovation. In addition to 10 gold, 27 silver, and 15 bronze awards, the CCIS presented this special award, which highlights the common theme of this year's competition, "To the sky with new technologies!"
Innovation Day marks the 23rd presentation of national awards to the most innovative companies and innovators in Slovenia. The CCIS national award for the best innovations is considered the highest recognition of the innovative achievements of Slovenian companies and thus promotes innovation in Slovenia.
Proud of our innovative spirit
"Every child deserves a chance, regardless of where they come from. Our solution offers objectivity in a world where decisions were made based on impressions. We make them based on data," said Sandi Markon, owner and CEO of our company.
"Football is not just a game—it is infrastructure for social development. We have created a digital tool that enables fairness, opportunity, and long-term value for both individuals and society. Football is not a cost, it is a strategic investment in health, community, and the competitiveness of the country. The development of the WeFeelFootball platform is proof that a solution that changes the rules of the game on a global level can come from Slovenia."
Global innovation from Slovenia: from subjectivity to objectivity
WeFeelFootball is the first global digital platform for standardized testing and analysis of the potential of young footballers in the U10–U19 age categories. The innovation removes geographical and economic barriers to talent discovery and enables objective comparison of results at the international level, which is a key breakthrough in a world where traditional scouting is still based on subjective assessments.
Upon receiving the award, Sandi Markon, director of the Stroka Business Group, emphasized: "This award is not for us, but for all children who are being given the opportunity to be objectively guided and developed for the first time."
Sustainability and equality come first
In addition to its technological breakthrough, WeFeelFootball also brings significant sustainability and social benefits. Digitizing the testing process reduces the need for scouts to travel, which in turn lowers the carbon footprint by up to 94 percent.
The platform creates local jobs for testers and reduces inequalities between clubs with different financial capabilities. Standardized data democratizes access to information about talent, ensuring better and more equal opportunities for young footballers.
As the director emphasized: "Our project was not created solely to search for the next soccer stars. It was created to provide a system for the growth of a better society." Football is one of the most powerful social multipliers, generating billions of euros in economic impact and significant savings in healthcare and social effects.
A team of experts with a global vision
WeFeelFootball is the result of multidisciplinary collaboration between a large team of experts from the fields of sports management, data analytics, information technology, and soccer. Licensed coaches and collaborators from the Faculty of Sport at the University of Ljubljana and the Institute of Sport were also involved in its development, proving that innovation is the fruit of in-depth professional knowledge and mutual cooperation.
The innovation has already been successfully implemented at key Slovenian references such as MNZ Maribor, the Football Association of Slovenia, FC Maribor, and MT9 Marcos Tavares Academy. International expansion is underway with implementations in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Bulgaria, and the first projects have also begun in China, confirming its global potential.
We would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our employees who contributed to the development of the WeFeelFootball innovation with their expertise, dedication, and perseverance. Without their hard work, creativity, and team spirit, this achievement would not have been possible. Special thanks also go to our external collaborators from the Faculty of Sport at the University of Ljubljana and the Institute of Sport, as well as licensed coaches, who enriched the final solution with their professional contributions. Together, we have proven that by joining forces, we can create an innovation that is changing the world of sport.
The recognition received from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia for the innovation challenge represents an important milestone for the Stroka Business Group and confirmation that Slovenian innovation can create solutions of global significance.
More about WeFeelFootball at: LINK.