Birthday of ui42: 28 years of innovation, technology, and digital progress
From the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics to the top of the Slovak digital scene. What has been the journey of ui42 over the last 28 years?
How did it all start?
Imagine the year 1997. The internet in Slovakia was still in its infancy, and Google or social networks didn't even exist yet. It was then, at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Comenius University, in office number 42 at the Institute of Informatics, that the agency ui42 was founded. Three assistant professors of informatics and artificial intelligence – Dalibor Jakuš, Martin Krupa, and Róbert Mráz – decided to combine their academic know-how with real business and bring new technological solutions to the Slovak internet.
In the early years, they laid strong foundations for what ui42 is today – an exceptional combination of B2B web and e-commerce solutions development, UX research, digital marketing, and AI innovations.
Our journey to success
Looking back, we see a beautiful, 28-year journey full of challenges but also successes. What moments have stuck in our memory the most?
- 1997 – The first major project: the founding of profesia.sk, today the largest job portal in Slovakia.
- 1999 – We developed BUXUS, the first content management system in Slovakia, which today powers more than 250 websites and e-shops.
- 2009 - Among the first agencies in Slovakia, we started focusing on performance online marketing.
- 2010 – We opened our own UX lab, the first of its kind in Slovakia.
- 2020 – We entered the era of artificial intelligence, developed our own chatbot and AI Recommender - a recommendation tool for e-shops.
- 2024 – We opened our first international branch in Cyprus, our team grew to 80 experts, and we won the Golden Digital Pie.
Over the years, we have worked on projects for ESET, ČSOB, VÚB banka, O2, Tatra Banka, Slovenská sporiteľňa, Pilulka, Be Lenka, Kondela, CK DAKA, Finax, Najšport, and many other successful brands. We are constantly growing, learning, and improving our services to remain a leader among digital agencies in Slovakia.
ui42 today: A unique combination of TECH + MARKETING + AI
What makes us exceptional? We are a ONE-STOP SHOP.
Thanks to a unique combination of web and e-shop development, UX/CX, digital marketing, and creative AI solutions, we can provide clients with everything they need, all under one roof.
And what does the management wish for ui42?
Róbert Mráz, Co-founder ui42 & CFO:
“I wish you another 28 years (and even more) full of creativity, enthusiasm, and an inexhaustible desire to create! May your ideas flourish, be bolder, more original, and more inspiring than ever before – and may no AI drag you into the gray average. Because true creativity still comes from people. Thank you, ui42 family.”
Martin Krupa, Co-founder of ui42:
"In recent years, I have been involved in ui42 a bit less, but that only makes me appreciate even more what you have achieved under Andrej’s leadership – despite the challenging times of the pandemic, lockdowns, inflation, the war in Ukraine, and the current economic pressure on businesses. You have not only endured it all but also achieved sustainable growth. For that, you deserve immense respect!
A huge thank you goes to the leadership, but above all, to the entire team. The success of ui42 is not just about technology and innovation – its foundation is, above all, people. Sincere, talented, and reliable professionals who form not only a strong ui42 team but also excellent partners, clients, and suppliers.
Without you, ui42 wouldn’t be what it is today."
Viktor Doletina, COO ui42:
“Thank you to all ui42 people for creating ui42. I love you.”
Andrej Kajan, CEO ui42:
“I wish ui42 mainly such great people, as we have been lucky to have for 28 years. Because they are the ones who make ui42, so congratulations go not only to ui42 but to all colleagues!”
And what do our clients say to us?
Ing. Michal Magušin, web & lead specialist, PSS:
"On behalf of the entire PSS, I congratulate the oldest Slovak digital agency on its birthday, and yet still so young. Thank you for the last three years we have spent side by side, whether building our website or on other projects. Thank you for the ideas, constructive debate, and valuable feedback. Happy birthday!"
Peter Brezani, COO Be Lenka:
"From the first joint Be Lenka campaign to winning the Digital Pie award. Congratulations on a beautiful anniversary."
Michal Maruška, CEO of CK DAKA:
"We wish you at least another 28 successful years, outstanding projects, and we thank you for our cooperation so far. Cheers."
We celebrate 28 years and are ready for more challenges!
Over the years, we have experienced countless digital transformations. What remains unchanged is our passion for innovation, the desire to push boundaries, and above all, the great team that forms the heart of ui42.
We thank our clients for growing with us and trusting us. We thank our team, which is our driving force every day. And we thank all of you who are part of our story.
Here's to at least another 28 years full of success, technology, and great collaboration!
