Creative Business Cup 2025 is coming to Hradec Králové. Submit your creative startup

12.11. 2024

The CzechInvest Agency is organising the eighth year of the Creative Business Cup competition. Its aim is to recognize the most creative startups in the Czech Republic. The national round of the competition will be hosted by Hradec Králové next year. The winner will not only receive a prestigious award, but also participate in the world finals in Copenhagen, where Czech startups regularly occupy leading positions. Applications for the competition will be open on 18. November 2024.

“The global focus on economic growth through innovation, skilled labour and creativity represents an opportunity for the economic transformation of the Czech Republic. Creative industries are growing rapidly in our country, creating skilled jobs and supporting economic development. Thanks to our rich cultural heritage, diverse curricula and advanced ICT infrastructure, the Czech Republic has a strong position in areas such as gaming, virtual and augmented reality, design and architecture, where human talent and creativity play a key role. By participating in the Creative Business Cup, we want to offer startups not only a space to present themselves in front of a professional audience, but most importantly, a connection to the entire creative ecosystem. We are also planning a deeper cooperation with, for example, Creative Prague and its activities,” says Petra Kneslová, director of Creative Hub and organiser of the national round of the Creative Business Cup 2025 competition.

The Creative Business Cup National Round is open to all startups in the creative industries such as design, fashion, architecture, video games, software, film, books, print or television, radio or music that use modern and innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence, etc. Regardless of the definition, human talent and creativity is a crucial factor. The jury assesses not only the innovative approach of the startup, but also its potential to become a globally successful company and to compete with other projects.

Applications for the competition will open on 18 November 2024 and will be open until 10 January 2025. The link for registration will be published on the CzechInvest website and on the websitewww.creativebusinesscup.cz. Ten finalists will then be selected to present at the national round of the competition in March next year at Petrof Hall in Hradec Kralove. The winner will defend the national colours at the global final of creative startups in Copenhagen, where they will compete for a place with the world’s top creative industry.

“East Bohemia has been inherently linked with creativity for centuries. Traditions such as Vamberec lace, iconic Prim watches, Kovap products or Polstrin’s designer furniture are examples of regional arts and crafts that not only enrich local culture but also contribute to economic development. The traditional piano manufacturer Petrof should not be forgotten. These culturally creative industries play a key role in the identity of our region and strengthen its competitiveness in the market,” says Martina Ceplová, director of the regional office for the Hradec Králové Region, which is the main partner of the new edition.

The 2024 edition was dominated by the startup E-Cafe bike with its innovative cargo truck City Commuters, which has its own electric drive. Previous winners of the national round in previous years were startups Nebesys (2023), which won the world final in Copenhagen, Sensio (2022), Readmio (2021), FaceUp (2020), Snuggs (2019) and Miomove (2018).

Creative Business Cup aims to support creative startups from all over the world, connecting them with each other and helping them find investors and conquer foreign markets. The organiser of the Czech national round of the competition is the CzechInvest Business and Investment Promotion Agency and its project Technological Incubation. The agency is looking for creative and innovative startups across the Czech Republic and helps to verify their potential through the Creative Business Cup competition.

More details about the competition