INNOVATIONS

We Support Businesses and Start-Ups Not Only in the Moravian-Silesian Region GREEN LIGHT has been the most comprehensive programme of the Moravian-Silesian Region to promote businesses and startups. It has been successfully implemented by the Innovation Support Centre of VŠB-Technical University Ostrava for five years in cooperation with the Moravian-Silesian Region, the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre, and a number of other partners and supporters. This is a unique programme in which all the universities in the Moravian-Silesian Region are involved. It is intended for those interested in business of all ages with an innovative idea who are determined to start their own business. “The motto of this year is the slogan “I BUSINESS“, and we believe that the desire to change things and develop your own business will bring us interesting ideas, whether in the field of IT, innovative services or new technology solutions. We offer two programmes – Start for beginners and Accelerator for more advanced persons,” says Jan Jůzl, the programme mentor. Another novelty of this year is the involvement of prototype workshops. ProtoLab allows 3D users to print plastic and metal. IdeaHub can be used by starting entrepreneurs to produce prototypes in the field of mechanics, electronics and robotics. Such a combination is unique and exceptional in the Moravian-Silesian Region. We can whip up a viable product or service out of a simple idea and bring business to paying customers. Ten people selected from those who apply to the programme will participate in the three-month Accelerator

full of workshops, lectures and consultations, culminating in the final start-up show in April. The best ones will win awards worth up to CZK 500,000 to start a business. The bonus can then be a journey to the startup “Mecca”, Tel Aviv. In total, 53 projects have completed the programme, such as the electric skateboard XTND, which has succeeded on Kickstarter and entered the global market; the original PresentiGO 3D presentation platform; the unique TIKE tent for cycle touring, which makes it possible to camp and keep the bicycle dry and safe at the same time, and many more. Entrepreneurship is a bit of a long-distance run: some projects change and adapt to the needs of the market; some are like comets, the sky is lit up and everyone admires them; others are less striking, but they work. Currently, a cooperation in developing a business is going on with 20 interesting clients.

Text a foto: Centrum podpory inovací VŠB–TUO

POSITIV 2017/2018

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