Dr. Jure Knez was born on July 15, 1974, in Trbovlje, where he attended primary school and a secondary school for mechanical engineering. He continued his education at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Ljubljana, graduating in 1996, earning a master’s degree in 1999, and completing his PhD in 2002.

In 2000, together with three partners, he founded Dewesoft, headquartered in Trbovlje. Dewesoft develops highly innovative measuring instruments powered by the multi-award-winning DewesoftX software. The company currently employs more than 200 people in Slovenia, and, together with its 19 subsidiaries worldwide, the total number of employees exceeds 400. Globally, it ranks among the top five companies in the measurement technology industry. Its clients include world-renowned names such as NASA, SpaceX, Tesla, ESA, Volvo, BMW, Rimac, Pipistrel, Akrapovič, and many others.

Dewesoft is financed entirely from its own resources, without borrowing, with between 80% and 90% of its profits reinvested in development. This approach ensures long-term independence, high added value per employee, and control over operations and innovation. Stability at Dewesoft is not only financial but also ownership-based. In 2016, the company introduced an employee co-ownership system, reducing the risk of being sold to foreign owners. This model encourages employees to think and act like entrepreneurs—they understand the company processes that ensure successful operations, which in turn leads to greater long-term stability and improved results. All this is driven by a single goal: for Dewesoft to remain a healthy Slovenian company even a hundred years from now—fueling technological progress and sustainable development in the local environment.

Dr. Knez is also the founder of the business accelerator Katapult, which supports young entrepreneurs by providing access to Dewesoft’s infrastructure and guidance during their first steps in the business world.

In his free time, Jure Knez enjoys traveling and mountain climbing.