The Innovation Center of the Ústí nad Labem Region (ICUK) is expanding its operations to Prague from April 2026. In the premises Technology Center Prague The Innovation Center office is being established, which strengthens ICUK's presence in an environment where research, innovation, and business are interconnected. This is a strategic step to be closer to places where new projects and cooperation with regional implications are emerging.

"We want to be where key innovation players meet. Thanks to the office in Prague, we will be able to better establish partnerships and bring new opportunities to the Ústí nad Labem Region,“ says ICUK director, Martin Mata.

Technology center as a natural background

The Prague Technology Center has long been one of the main hubs for supporting research, innovation and international cooperation in the Czech Republic. It provides, among other things, national support for programs such as Horizon Europe, connects research organizations with companies and helps projects reach the European level.

This is where representatives of universities, research institutions, government agencies and innovative companies meet. And it is in this environment that the Innovation Center office has its place.

"The Technology Center is an ideal partner for us. It allows us to be in daily contact with people who deal with similar topics, from research to innovation to international cooperation.,“ adds Zdeněk Hušek, RIS3 architect for the innovation ecosystem of the Central Administrative Court of the SMART IV project.

Connecting that has a concrete impact

The new office in Prague opens the door for ICUK to more intensive cooperation on projects that have a direct impact on the development of the Ústí nad Labem Region.

This includes, for example:

• cooperation with universities such as CTU or VŠCHT 
• involvement in international research projects 
• development of strategic topics such as chemistry, energy or technological innovation
• attracting talent back to the region 

Thanks to its presence in Prague, ICUK can be involved in these activities from the beginning – actively co-creating them, not just reacting.

Ústí nad Labem Region closer to the center of events

The Innovation Center office in Prague also strengthens the visibility of the Ústí nad Labem Region as a region that has the ambition to grow, innovate and collaborate. Being physically present in an environment where key decisions and new opportunities are concentrated means only one thing: being one step ahead. And that is precisely the goal of ICUK.