Programme
Day 1
Tech Exploration & Informal Networking
Discovery, relationship-building, and informal conversation in real-world innovation settings.
Morning – Arrival of Croatian participants
10:00 – Welcome coffee & registration in Prague
10:30 – Departure to HiLASE Centre, Dolní Břežany
Midday – HiLASE Centre Visit
11:00 – Guided tour of HiLASE, a world-class laser R&D center
12:15 – Tech briefings: photonics, material testing, industrial applications & Presentation of HiLASE spin-off projects and commercial applications
13:00 – Light networking lunch on-site
Afternoon – Prusa Research Visit
14:00 – Transfer to Prusa Research HQ, Prague
14:30 – Guided tour of the 3D printing lab and in-house accelerator
15:30 – Startup talks: hardware innovation & open-source manufacturing
16:30 – Informal discussion & coffee break
Evening – Networking at the embassy
18:30 – welcome drinks at the croatian embassy in prague
Casual networking with startups, VCs, and guests
Light program: welcome toast & informal introductions
Day 2 | 30.9.
Insight & Exchange
Startup visibility, ecosystem insight, and curated matchmaking.
Morning – UCEEB Tour
09:00 – Transfer to UCEEB (Czech Technical University)
09:30 – Tour of cutting-edge labs in energy-efficient tech, smart buildings, and sustainable systems & Presentation of UCEEB spin-offs and applied research cases
10:45 – Coffee & open discussion on deep tech R&D and commercialization
11:30 – Return to central Prague / lunch on own
Afternoon – Boat Tajemství: Pitch, Panel & Matchmaking
Boarding at Rašínovo nábřeží, Prague | 13:00–17:30
13:00 – Opening remarks from UNICO and ecosystem representatives
13:15 – Startup Showcase
Czech and Croatian deep tech startups present short pitches
Multisector representation: defense, biotech, healthtech, ecotech
14:30 – Keynote Insights
Perspectives from leading VCs, successful founders, and public innovation leaders
15:00 – Panel Discussion
Topic: Shared challenges in deep tech funding, market entry, and academia–industry transfer
15:45 – Curated Matchmaking
Startups and VC funds engage in guided, pre-matched one-on-one meetings
17:30 – Closing & informal networking on deck
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This two-day international event, organized by UNICO, is designed to bridge the deep tech innovation ecosystems of Czechia and Croatia. It brings together emerging and established deep tech startups, venture capital funds, innovation agencies, and ecosystem builders from both countries.
The aim is to foster meaningful cross-border partnerships, raise the visibility of promising startups, and create an environment for informal exchange that leads to concrete collaboration. The event balances hands-on tech immersion with curated networking, all in a relaxed, high-impact setting: what UNICO does best.
Innovative Croatian startups representing key sectors such as defense, biotech, healhtech, and ecotech will join their Czech counterparts, investors, and innovation leaders from both countries to spend two days discovering, collaborating, and networking.
