Business support fair is back, bringing companies and entrepreneurs together with experts in one place

Are you planning an investment, launching a new project or looking for ways to move your business forward? On 16 September from 9:00 AM, CzechInvest invites you to the Business Support Fair at the Lipo.ink Meeting Point. During a single morning, you can get an overview of available support options and discuss your specific plans with experts from a wide range of institutions. Participation is free of charge.

CzechInvest, the organiser of the fair, has invited partner organisations that support companies and entrepreneurs across the region. CzechInvest will also contribute its own expertise, with consultants available to discuss topics such as investment incentives, brownfield regeneration, startup development and services provided through the Enterprise Europe Network.

Regional support opportunities

“We want the Liberec Region to be a place young people do not leave, but return to – and a place that attracts new young people for study, work and new opportunities. The role of the regional government is not to manage business, but to create the conditions in which new ideas, companies and well-paid jobs can emerge,” says Edvard Kožušník, Statutory Deputy Governor for Economic and Strategic Development of the Liberec Region.

Consultants from the Regional Development Agency will be on site to discuss business growth, innovation, digitalisation, funding opportunities and new business opportunities.

Lipo.ink will support aspiring entrepreneurs in getting started and established companies in their further development. Smart Accelerator will advise on cooperation in research and development, while EDIH Northeast will provide expertise in digitalisation, technology testing and navigating the AI Act.

Small-scale producers and craftspeople can turn to the Liberecký kraj sobě regional network, which helps promote and showcase their products. The network has also recently opened a new self-service shop run by the Liberec Region, where it is testing modern retail formats. Those interested in social entrepreneurship can obtain information, training and networking opportunities from the SELiK team.

The Liberec Region will also present specific financial support instruments available to entrepreneurs.

Through the Regional Innovation Programme, businesses can receive up to CZK 200,000 each year to implement new ideas, cooperate with a research organisation or verify the technical and technological feasibility of a product or process. Separate support is also available to regional producers and traditional crafts, helping them further develop their businesses.

More than just consultations

The Regional Development Agency will open the doors to its Digitální prak testbed, where visitors will be able to explore smart technologies applicable in manufacturing, energy and building management. Tours will also be available at Lipo.ink, the Liberec Region’s business incubator, including its coworking facilities, meeting rooms and other infrastructure for entrepreneurs.

More topics, more experts

The fair will also cover issues that would otherwise require entrepreneurs to contact a number of different institutions separately.

The Business and Innovation Agency will advise on support opportunities under the Operational Programme Technologies and Applications for Competitiveness (OP TAC), CzechTrade will offer guidance on expansion into foreign markets, and Eurocentrum will provide information on European funding. Businesses seeking support in research and development will be able to discuss their plans with experts from the Institute for Nanomaterials, Advanced Technologies and Innovation (CXI) at the Technical University of Liberec. The National Development Bank will present opportunities for preferential loans and guarantees.

The Labour Office of the Czech Republic will cover recruitment, employee training and wage subsidies. Questions concerning the protection of trademarks, inventions and industrial designs can be discussed with experts from the Industrial Property Office.

The fair will therefore provide an opportunity to meet a wide range of experts in one place, discuss specific business plans with them and save the time that would otherwise be spent searching for the right contacts.