The Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region (ICUK) will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2025. For over five years, it has been led by Director Martin Mata, an experienced manager who has moved the organization from a small office to modern premises in the center of Ústí nad Labem. Under his leadership, ICUK has gained the trust of key regional actors and has become a respected partner in the field of business support, innovation and regional development. Today, ICUK, with a team of forty employees and a number of external experts, coordinates activities contributing to the development of the business environment and innovation in the region.
Mr. Director, what are the main priorities of ICUK for 2025 and what projects do you consider to be key?
Our main priorities include strengthening the role of the Transformation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region (TCÚK) as an engine for supporting entrepreneurship and innovation. TCÚK serves as a platform for companies, startups and research organizations, where they can collaborate on innovative projects. We also continue to develop the Smart Accelerator project, which aims to increase the competitiveness of the region through smart solutions, and in cooperation with UJEP, we also develop the RUR project (Region to the University, University of the Region). As part of our international activities, we focus on expanding cooperation in European projects and strengthening our position within transnational partnerships.
How specifically do you help companies and startups through the TCÚK project?
TCÚK provides comprehensive services – from coworking spaces to mentoring to access to expert consultations and finance. Our goal is to create an environment where people and companies can validate their ideas, test prototypes, develop new products, optimize processes and expand their activities into new markets.
What goals are you pursuing within the RUR project?
ICUK focuses on supporting entrepreneurship and educating students in entrepreneurial skills. The aim is to develop entrepreneurial skills from the second level of primary schools to universities. Activities include pre-incubation of entrepreneurial ideas and popularization of entrepreneurship as a career alternative, thereby responding to the needs of a structurally disadvantaged region and supporting its long-term recovery.
What specifically are you preparing for the Ústí nad Labem Region?
Our effort is to build a so-called innovation ecosystem, which includes cooperation between partners to support the economy, research and entrepreneurship. We coordinate the activities of coworking centers in the region and prepare shared infrastructure. For example, the DigiLab digital laboratory is now operating and we are preparing a large project of the Makerspace prototyping center, which will be part of the Transformation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region. These projects are key to creating an environment that will support innovation and entrepreneurship. This is a major milestone in helping companies develop.
ICUK is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. What events are you planning?
We will commemorate this anniversary throughout 2025. The main celebrations will take place in November. However, we want to emphasize our work and strengthen the international involvement of the region. We are working to raise the visibility of the Ústí nad Labem Region, expanding services for company expansion and lobbying intensively not only in the Czech Republic but also in Brussels. Our priority is to strengthen the attractiveness of the region for foreign investors.
What specific activities are you doing in the field of foreign investments?
One example is our involvement in the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster following the announcement of TSMC's investment in Dresden. We are analyzing potential suppliers, premises and investors to prepare the region for similar opportunities. At the same time, we are aware that we have a lot to catch up on in the area of regional business development. There is a need to coordinate the efforts of local entities with national and international initiatives, and this is the role we want to play. Our vision is to connect and synergize activities towards a higher attractiveness and investment readiness of the Ústí nad Labem Region.
