What are the biggest risks facing family businesses today? How to protect both private and corporate assets from business risks? When does a holding company or endowment make sense? And how to set the rules of the family business so as to avoid future disputes, asset-splitting, or failure to pass the business on to the next generation?
The answers to these questions will be answered in the next installment of Highgate Talks LIVE, this time dedicated specifically to the topic of family businesses and asset protection. We invite you to a professional morning with brunch at Lab28 | Nivy Tower, during which we will look at the most common crisis situations, mistakes made by owners and practical solutions that help protect the company, assets and family relationships.
In the first part of the event you will be treated to a LIVE podcast Highgate Talks, in which Tomáš Demo and Erika Madari Matwij will talk about the most common crisis scenarios in family businesses, the risks that entrepreneurship brings and their practical experience in dealing with them.
In the second part, Tomáš Demo will practically show what mistakes family business owners make most often, what legal, tax and property consequences may result from them and what steps can eliminate these risks in time.
The event will conclude with a panel discussion in which Tomas Demo and Erika Madari Matwij, together with Katarina Malova, Owner & CEO of Wellness & Spa Hotel Kaskády, will talk about how to manage and develop a multi-generational family business in a long-term and sustainable way.
Date: 20. 5. 2026 | 9:00 – 11:15
Venue: Lab28 | Nivy Tower
Price: 69 € + VAT
We look forward to seeing you. Attention, capacity is limited to 50 seats!
For whom the event is intended:
The event is primarily intended for (family) business owners and entrepreneurs. In the event of full capacity, the organizer reserves the right to confirm registrations of this group of participants on a priority basis.
8:30 – 8:50 Registration and morning coffee
9:00 – 9:35 When things go wrong in a company: 5 crisis scenarios that can break a (family) business
Form: Highgate Talks LIVE + Q&A
Moderator: Tomas Demo
Guest: Erika Madari Matwij (Family Business Institute)
9:35 – 9:45 Networking break
9:45 – 10:15 10 mistakes (family) business owners make that can cost them their fortune
Form: Lecture + Q&A
Speaker.
10:15 – 10:30 Networking break
10:30 – 11:15 Case study of family business – Hotel Kaskády
Form: Panel discussion + Q&A
Moderator: Tomáš Demo
Guests: Katarína Malová and Erika Madari Matwij
Tomas Demo
Partner Highgate Group
After graduating from law school, Tomáš Demo worked for one of the largest international law firms Allen & Overy as a law clerk and then as an associate for several years. Tomáš is a solicitor and co-founder of the Highgate Group. Tomas is a specialist advisor on M&A, private equity and venture capital transactions and corporate acquisition structures. He also has a long-standing interest in corporate law and corporate set-up of local and cross-border ESOP structures. As part of his specialty, he also advises clients on setting up structures to protect corporate and private assets, including the design and formation of holding companies, endowments and other forms of asset protection. He regularly publishes and speaks to the media, particularly on topics relating to the sale of businesses.
Erika Madari Matwij
IRB founder and family business expert
Erika is the founder of the Institute of Family Business (IRB) and Human Inside. With over 15 years of experience, she helps family businesses successfully manage the transition between generations and ensure a smooth and efficient succession process. She helps entrepreneurial families blend family values with professional business management to achieve sustainable growth and multi-generationalism. In her work, she creates and implements comprehensive succession strategies that include creating family constitutions, leading family councils, and setting up mutual agreements among business family members. As the only representative from Slovakia in the International Family Enterprise Research Academy (IFERA), she brings an international approach and expertise that contributes to the success and long-term stability of family businesses. Erika is also a member of the Family Business Center. As part of the IRB, she and her team organize the annual International Family Business Congress and the Family Business Academy, which support founders in handing down and successors in taking over family businesses.
and
Katarína Malová
Owner & CEO Wellness & Spa Hotel Kaskady
Katarína Malová is a long-time general director and managing director of the successful Wellness & Spa Hotel Kaskady near Sliač. In 2011, she was awarded the prestigious title of Hotelier of the Year for her contribution and brand building, focusing on service quality, long-term brand building and guest satisfaction. She represents the second generation of the family business founded by her father, Karol Konarik.
Law & Tax
Tomas Demo
tomas.demo@highgate.sk
Accounting
Peter Šopinec
peter.sopinec@highgate.sk
Crypto
Peter Varga
peter.varga@highgate.sk
