The commercialization of research results is not just about having a quality technology or an interesting idea. A key factor is also the ability to present one’s project clearly, coherently, and persuasively. This was precisely the focus of the Pitch Academy CETAV training, which we organized at CETAV on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
The sixth annual Transfera Technology Day (TT Day 2025) took place at the headquarters of the Czech Academy of Sciences in Prague — a prestigious competition and networking event connecting science, business, and investors. The main organizer of this year’s edition was the Czech Academy of Sciences Transfer Center (CETAV), in cooperation with the association Transfera.cz. The event showcased the most promising technological projects emerging from Czech universities and research organizations, offering them direct contact with investors and industry representatives.
Practical tips, discussions on project management challenges, and the exchange of experiences were the focus of the JAKNAJAK platform meeting. Project and financial managers from the institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences discussed the Jan Amos Komenský Operational Programme and open science. How do they plan to strengthen cooperation in implementing projects and other funding programmes that support research?
The European Commission has approved the 2026 work programme of the European Innovation Council (EIC), which provides funding exceeding €1.4 billion.
Czech universities are increasingly making their mark in innovation through patent protection and the establishment of spin-off companies. Higher education institutions are systematically supporting the creation of new enterprises that connect academic research with practical application and target global markets. Success stories of spin-offs from Masaryk University, Brno University of Technology, and Palacký University Olomouc show that university ideas can attract prestigious international investors.
When the world of science meets the world of investment, things start to get interesting. That was precisely the theme of this year’s Engaged Investments conference, which brought together dozens of investors, startups, and innovation teams in Prague. Representing the Czech Academy of Sciences Transfer Center (CETAV), Klára Langerová and Martin Smekal attended the event to open a new chapter in connecting academic research with business.
The Prague.bio Conference, held in Prague at the end of September, showcased the latest discoveries and global trends in biotechnology and drug development. It also addressed key topics ranging from technology transfer to updates in European legislation and their impact on the Central European region. According to the organizers, effective transfer of research results from laboratories into practice is a crucial prerequisite for their commercial use and for strengthening the economy.
The Council for Research, Development and Innovation (RVVI), chaired by Minister Marek Ženíšek, addressed the issue of publication costs under the Open Access model at its latest meeting. Key agenda items also included the approval of calls for nominations of candidates for the Expert Panels and for the Presidency of the Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR).
The Czech Academy of Sciences has opened applications for the sixth round of the PRAK Program, which supports the transfer of research results into practice and strengthens the ability of scientific teams to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. The program is intended for scientists and researchers who have a project with application potential and seek to protect, develop, and put their results into practical use.
A breakthrough technology developed and patented by Hana Lísalová and her colleagues at the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences will find applications in industry, healthcare, and the food sector. Its path to “customers” will now be accelerated by the Application and Commercialization Development Program (PRAK). However, according to the scientist, the Czech Republic still struggles to establish reliable ways to effectively transfer innovations into practice. What, in her view, would improve technology transfer within the Czech Academy of Sciences?