Czech Startups Got an Official Association to Drive Innovation and Advocacy

The Czech Republic announced the launch of its dedicated startup association.

The newly launched Czech Startup Association is poised to advocate for systemic improvements that aim to make the Czech Republic a regional leader in supporting startups and innovation.

While the structure of the Czech Startup Association is somewhat different from Romania’s approach, its mission remains consistent: to strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem and foster collaboration between startups and policymakers.

The Czech startup landscape has long faced challenges that hinder its potential growth, and despite prior initiatives, a comprehensive national strategy to advance innovation has yet to be established.

The Czech Startup Association was created to address these gaps and advocate for pro-innovation reforms. Its primary focus is on driving dialogue with government entities, including Parliament and political parties, with the goal of securing legislative changes to support entrepreneurship, innovation, and venture growth.

Led and joined by experienced ecosystem people

Led by Martin Jiránek, a well-versed figure in Czech legislative processes and lobbying, the Czech Startup Association brings together a coalition of notable industry players.

Founding members include VC firms such as Credo Ventures, Presto Ventures, and Purple Ventures, along with technology startups Keboola, Liftago, and Oddin.

The association also includes key stakeholders in the Czech startup ecosystem, including law firms Sparring and Novalia, the JIC innovation agency, the StartupYard accelerator, and the Opera hub. The association is actively working to expand its network and is currently in discussions with numerous additional partners.

In the coming months, the Czech Startup Association will focus on creating a comprehensive proposal to tackle these issues, combining legislative and systemic measures that would create one of Europe’s top startup ecosystems. The association plans to work closely with political leaders to promote these changes, ideally aligning with the next electoral period.

Progression through collaboration

The association also aims to leverage sectoral synergies by working with established organizations such as the Czech Fintech Association, Czech Founders, the Czech Association of Angel Investors, and the Czech Private Equity & Venture Capital Association. Through this collaborative approach, the Czech Startup Association will advocate for common goals and ensure that startups are well-represented in discussions affecting their future.

By addressing these challenges collectively, the Czech Startup Association hopes to bring substantial benefits to entrepreneurs, investors, and the broader economy. In addition to policy advocacy, the association plans to actively engage with media and the public to raise awareness of these critical issues, seeking to create an ecosystem that enables Czech startups to thrive in the competitive European market.

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