Among the guests were representatives of cluster organisations, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Pilsen Region and the City of Pilsen, the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, CzechInvest, universities, and both SMEs and large companies, as well as other supporters of the cluster ecosystem and technological innovation.

The event was organised by the National Cluster Association (NCA) in cooperation with the Klastr MECHATRONIKA, and supported by SIT Portu, the Pilsen Region, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, and the Defence and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic (AOBP). The venue was kindly provided by TechTower.

The central theme of this year’s edition was technologies created through cluster collaboration that drive the Czech industry forward.

Innovation Showcase: 30 Exhibitors and Media Attention

A brand-new feature of this year’s event was the Innovation Showcase, which showcased over 30 exhibitors presenting innovative projects, products, and technologies from Czech companies. Visitors could explore the latest developments in nanotechnology, robotics, 3D printing, healthcare, textiles, virtual reality, optics, and other fields.

The event also attracted strong media attention – TV Nova broadcast a live segment and interviews with exhibitors, while Czech Radio Pilsen covered the event in its Good Afternoon programme. For one day, TechTower became a hub of cutting-edge technologies born from collaboration between companies, research institutions, and clusters.

Key Messages from the Conference Programme

Jiří Herinek, President of the NCA, and Ivo Říha, Vice President of the NCA, opened the conference.

🔹They highlighted the Technology Village as the flagship feature of this year’s event, giving participants a chance to witness firsthand the benefits of clusters. They also mentioned the ongoing update of the Czech Cluster Map, which will provide up-to-date and transparent information about cluster organisations. Furthermore, they emphasised the NCA’s strong position in cybersecurity, thanks to its activities, training, and workshops, as well as its active involvement at the European level, including preparations for the ECA Conference 2025 in Madrid.

Successful Cluster Support in the Czech Republic Since 2004, Petr Filipi, Director of the Department of Innovative and Digital Solutions at the Ministry of Industry and Trade

🔹 Mr Filipi stressed the need to expand support for cluster organisations and noted the current funding shortfall in less developed regions. He introduced the planned revision of the OP TAK programme and new priorities under STEP, including a reallocation of CZK 4 billion and the upcoming STEP Applications Call, open to all regions but with stricter conditions.

🔹 In the 2028+ programming period, the Czech Republic will manage €29.4 billion, with 43% of the funds allocated to climate and environmental objectives. Emphasis will also be placed on supporting research and development through grants. The European Competitiveness Fund was also mentioned, focusing on industrial R&D, SMEs, and innovation infrastructure.

The Confederation of Industry and Transport as a Key Partner of Czech Clusters, Petr Jonák, Member of the Board
🔹 Mr Jonák pointed out that countries with prepared and skilled administrators will gain more EU funding, while those lacking capacity risk losing access to it. He also noted that the Confederation advocates for policy changes that directly impact businesses and their results, maintains a strong voice internationally, enjoys exclusive access to EU institutions, and actively supports Czech exporters and competitiveness both at home and abroad.

The event was moderated by Kateřina Podaná, Member of the NCA Board and Executive Director of the Klastr MECHATRONIKA.

Golden Cluster 2025 Award

The Golden Cluster 2025 award went to the Klastr MECHATRONIKA for its long-term contribution to developing the cluster environment in the Czech Republic.

As the event organiser, the Klastr MECHATRONIKA demonstrated strong ties with the City of Pilsen and the Pilsen Region, consistently supporting its members through innovation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration.

The award was presented by representatives of the National Cluster Association together with Martin Rybář, Deputy Governor of the Pilsen Region for IT and European Affairs. It was accepted by Michal Zemko, President of the Klastr MECHATRONIKA, and Kateřina Podaná, Executive Director.

How Clusters Make a Difference – Seven Inspiring Case Studies

Representatives of companies that are members of cluster organisations showcased technologies and projects that have emerged – or are being further developed – through cluster collaboration. Through real-life examples, they illustrated how cooperation between companies, research institutions, and clusters drives innovation, increases competitiveness, and opens new opportunities for the Czech industry.

• Dry Facial Masks, Lucie Ligasová, Nanoparma (member of NANOPROGRESS) 
• Custom 3D-Printed Implants – Joint and Bone Replacements, Zdeněk Čejka, ProSpon (member of CZECHIMPLANT)
• 3D-Printed Metal Tools and Prototypes, Michal Zemko, COMTES FHT (member of Klastr MECHATRONIKA)
• Mobile Hydrogen Energy Generator, Irena Supková, DEVINN (member of Moravian-Silesian Hydrogen Cluster)
• Unique Hybrid Conductive Threads and Flexible Ribbons with Integrated Electronic Components, Radek Soukupu, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen (member of CLUTEX – cluster of technical textiles)
• Laser Shock Peening and Laser Micromachining Samples, Martina Řeháková, HiLASE (member of Czech Optical Cluster)
• AI-Based Energy-Saving Tool, Šimon Staňo, DAITABLE, (member of CEDEG)

Looking Ahead

This section focuses on emerging and future technology trends.

• Petr Kavalíř, Special Envoy for Quantum Technologies of the Czech Republic, discussed the development of quantum technologies in the Czech Republic and abroad.
• Michal Hon, Vice President for Cooperation and Business at the Defence and Security Industry Association (AOBP), presented dual-use technologies and cooperation opportunities.
• Michal Lorenc, Vice President for Industry at the Czech Semiconductor Cluster, spoke about the development of the semiconductor industry in the Czech Republic.
• Lucie Malá, lawyer at Legitas Law Firm, shared insights on the legal regulation of artificial intelligence.

Afternoon Session for Cluster Managers

The afternoon part of the programme focused on practical experiences and best practices in cluster management.

Participants learned about current challenges for clusters (Lukáš Kadlec, Business and Innovation Agency), how to leverage Smart Accelerator projects within clusters – with an example from Pilsen (Kateřina Podaná, Klastr MECHATRONIKA), and the benefits of professional communication strategies (Luboš Komárek, NANOPROGRESS). Kateřina Šulcová (Czech Aerospace Cluster) shared experiences from European Euroclusters projects, while Luděk Kühr (BizGarden) presented the Capacity2Transform project. Finally, Renáta Pfefferová (National Cluster Association) introduced the SuiteCRM system for NCA’s internal processes.

TechTower Tour

Participants also had the opportunity to tour the TechTower premises, guided by Vlastimil Kačena, Community Manager of the project. They visited student workshops, saw a robotic dog, a pool for testing underwater drones, and modern coworking spaces that serve as a base for start-ups and technology teams.

EVENT GALLERY