A conversation with Urban Pevnik, the man who is building the future with technology
Hiproject is growing. Teams are growing, projects are multiplying, amd a new home is being built. Technology solutions that were developed in a small circle just a few years ago are now transforming key industries, from steel and automotive to energy and aerospace. At the same time, we are increasingly rooted in the Industry 5.0 paradigm, where it is no longer enough to simply automate. It is necessary to understand. To connect. Optimise with people, energy and sustainability in mind. And Hiproject is doing it, technically, boldly and at its own pace. On the occasion of this rapid growth and ground-breaking projects, we spoke to our CEO Urban Pevnik, a founder, a visionary and a man who doesn’t describe the future, but builds it. We talked about beginnings, hydrogen, artificial intelligence, business challenges and what it means to run a company with heart and vision.
Urban, how did the story of Hiproject actually begin?
The story of Hiproject did not start as a business plan, but as a personal transformation. In my former environment, I constantly hit a wall. Suggestions went unheeded, initiatives remained ignored. That’s when I realized that I wanted to create a space where good ideas could be realized and where people could grow with me. This is the foundation of Hiproject, freedom of creation and responsibility for the quality that we create together as a team.
What was your vision when you founded the company and how far are we today?
At the beginning, the vision was simple but ambitious: to lay a solid foundation and create a company where employees can live out their professional potential. In just a few years, we have gone from 5 to more than 25 full-time employees, including an assembly team that we are expanding on a project-by-project basis, to up to 100 people if necessary. By 2027, we want to be operating in our own premises and have 30 full-time employees working as a synchronised team in the spirit of Industry 5.0.
What are the main advantages of Hiproject compared to other technology companies?
Reliability, flexibility and extreme responsiveness. We are available 24/7 for our customers, with a clear commitment to speed: offer within a maximum of 14 days from the first enquiry. We are also able to adapt quickly to scale, even multi-million dollar projects do not scare us, because we have the knowledge, team and partner infrastructure to implement them with quality.
Artificial intelligence plays an important role in your projects. How do you incorporate it into industrial solutions?
Artificial intelligence is no longer the future, it is the present. It is the way to find optimal solutions for managing complex production systems, especially in energy-intensive industries. Investing in development in this area is essential, and in 10 years’ time you will not be able to compete without it. That’s why we are regularly performing training internally, building our own data models and building integrated systems where AI is not an add-on, but the central mechanism for decision-making and optimisation.
You are the exclusive representative for the iba system. What does this system mean for your digitalization philosophy?
It is the heart of our technology solution. It is a modular system that provides a complete overview of all technical processes, from data capture to analysis and optimisation. With this system, we can monitor quality, detect defects in real time and significantly reduce energy and material costs. It’s not just about data, it’s about a complete transformation of decision-making in production. This is the digital backbone of industry.
Your project with hydrogen-powered furnaces at SIJ Acroni has received special attention. Why?
Because it is a technological leap that puts us among the pioneers. Hydrogen is the future, but the current reality does not yet support a clean transition. Our devices take this into account, for example the burners run on gas/air but are designed to be able to switch to hydrogen in the future without major changes. The project with Acroni was a key demonstration that we are ready for the future today, with more flexibility and higher savings for the customer.
Which industries trust Hiproject’s solutions the most?
We are present in the steel, aerospace, automotive and aerospace industries, and in all industries where automation and resource optimisation are important. Our systems operate globally, including in ports, mines and hospitals. Iba enables synchronous analysis of processes, vibration, quality and consumption, which is critical for industries where any error can be a major cost.
What about the beginnings, did you have any difficulties setting up the business?
Of course. We started with big dreams and almost zero capital. It was hard to convince banks and partners that we were serious. But the projects spoke for themselves. When the first successes came, confidence followed. Today we have stable growth and are recognised by the banks as a reliable partner, but I don’t take that for granted – we have to justify that trust every day.
What drives you personally about running company Hiproject?
Freedom. Not only in terms of entrepreneurial expression, but also in giving the people around me the freedom to think, create and grow. I believe in hard work, but also in the necessity of regeneration, which I find in meditation, ice baths and silence. Only a mind that knows how to be quiet can bring about truly good decisions.
And finally, your advice for entrepreneurs starting out?
Promotion is a commitment, both personally and professionally. Any stagnation is reflected in the team and in the results. And remember, positive energy always has the power to transform the negative, but only if we do not judge it, but observe it with an open heart.
