How business Grows With Help of MSIC
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The Moravian-Silesian Innovaon Centre Ostrava
(MSIC) supports the development of innovaon
and entrepreneurial potenal in the region. Its
programmes are focused primarily on small
and medium-sized businesses, start-ups, and fast-
growing companies, helping them to scale eecvely,
introduce new technologies, innovate, and expand.
two factors determine success: the founders’ ability
to listen and learn quickly, and their willingness to test
their ideas on the market as early as possible. Support
and facilities are important, but without the founders’
determination, a well-assembled team, and openness
to adaptation, it simply wouldn’t work.
The region has seen a significant number of start-
ups emerging in medical technologies and MedTech.
Is this the most common direction today, or are you
also seeing growth in other sectors? Do you focus
mainly on technical projects, or do you support
other types of ventures as well?
MedTech is indeed a very strong segment – we have
companies here developing unique diagnostic
technologies and software solutions for healthcare.
At the moment, we’re seeing the most growth in AI
and automation, mobility, gaming, and to a lesser
extent, in clean technologies. MSIC is not focused
exclusively on technical projects – we also support
creative and cultural start-ups, because innovation
doesn’t only happen in laboratories, but also in design,
art, and digital services.
Every year we showcase the most interesting projects
through the campaign MSK TOP Start-ups & Scale-ups
to Watch. For 2025, the “top picks” include start-ups
such as MyRepair.app, PeopleBoard.ai, Rankacy
and ZenAlgo, along with scale-ups with a clear vision
for scaling and expansion – 24 Vision, BrainMarket,
Raynet and Vosíme holding.
What are the most common barriers faced
by startups in the Moravian-Silesian region, and how
do you help them overcome these?
The most common barriers are limited ambitions, a lack
of funding in the early stages of business, insufficient
or restricted access to experienced mentors who have
themselves exited a start-up, and sometimes a low
awareness of opportunities for international expansion.
We provide support through mentoring by experienced
entrepreneurs and experts not only from the Moravian-
Silesian region, but also from other parts of the Czech
Republic via the Ynovate network, as well as by
connecting them with investors and identifying suitable
grant programmes. We also organise activities that help
start-ups think globally right from the start.
Where do you envision MSIC in the next five years?
Our vision is to become the main platform for
innovation in the region. Within five years, we aim
to strengthen cooperation with industry and develop
international partnerships so that start-up have
an easier path abroad. We also plan to expand our
programmes to include support for scale-ups. We want
to be the place where projects with global impact are
created – even if their roots lie in the Moravian-Silesian
region.
Has it ever happened that, thanks to connections
through MSIC, an unexpected collaboration
emerged? For example, between a traditional
company and a start-up? Could you share
a specific case?
Collaboration between start-ups and large companies
is becoming increasingly more common. Still,
many businesses are not yet fully aware of the
benefits of open innovation. That’s why we develop
programmes in which companies announce their
own challenges for start-ups. When a start-up secures
its first real customer, it’s a huge step forward. In the
past, such connections have worked out, for example,
the smart AI-powered weeder project by Ullmanna,
where the company UNIRON took part. Similarly,
the manufacturing company Prestar carried out a pilot
project with the start-up EDMUND, which monitors
production processes and suggests optimal solutions
in case of malfunctions.
Thank you for the interview.
Success is determined by the founders’
ability to learn and their willingness
to quickly test ideas on the market.