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Creative startups will measure their strength in Hradec Králové

16.01. 2025
line-arrow Creative startups will measure their strength in Hradec Králové

Applications for the national round of the Creative Business Cup (CBC) competition, organised by the CzechInvest state agency, will close on 24 January. New dynamic companies betting on creative solutions should not hesitate. Participation in the CBC will help them break through on the Czech startup scene and perhaps also find investors. Inspiration can be drawn from previous years – the startup Nebesys won the global final in Copenhagen in 2023 and the 2019 winner Snuggs is now an established and successful company.

The article was taken from Roklen24.cz

Petra Kneslová from CzechInvest is the head of this year’s edition. According to her, it will once again offer a diverse range of start-up companies, which can then also get into the Technology Incubation project. Why is the final taking place in Hradec Králové this year? What role does AI play in the business models of startups? And why should companies seek to participate in the competition? Find out in an interview with Petra Kneslova.

Winner of the national final of the Creative Business Cup 2019 – Snuggs.

Why did you choose Hradec Králové to host the Creative Business Cup finals this year? How will this year’s final take place?

CBC is a project that travels all over the Czech Republic, always trying to activate the local creative and business community. This year’s finale will take place on March 19 at PETROF Gallery, which we are very happy about, as it is a company with an incredible tradition and we are honored to realize the event with their support.

East Bohemia has been inherently linked with creativity for centuries. Traditions such as Vamberec lace, iconic Prim watches, Kovap products and Polstrin’s designer furniture are examples of regional arts and crafts that not only enrich local culture but also contribute to economic development. These cultural and creative industries play a key role in the identity of our region and strengthen its competitiveness in the market.

This year’s edition will follow the same scenario as the previous one – during the main evening, the TOP 10 startups will be presented and will compete for the global final in Copenhagen. And together with the Smart Accelerator of the Hradec Kralove Region, we will be organising a mini conference during the afternoon called “Design of the Future – Sustainability and Innovation”, focusing on the influence of consumer behaviour on product design with an emphasis on sustainability and innovation.

How many startups have entered this year’s competition so far? Which sectors are most represented?

The focus of the individual startups is really diverse, from product or eco design through various digital platforms to projects in the field of gaming or 3D printing. We will publish the number of registered startups after the registration closes.

The deadline for applications for this year’s edition has been postponed to 24 January. How would you convince startups that are still hesitant to apply to participate?

Designers and startups often focus all their energy on product development, technology or the visual side of the brand, but neglect key strategies such as quality presentation and reaching customers. Sophisticated marketing and PR can be costly, which is why participating in competitions like CBC or industry events is an ideal stepping stone. These opportunities can open doors to the world and be a game changer for a small business.

National final of the Creative Business Cup 2023 – the winning startup Nebesys is in the foreground.

Who will be on the jury this year?

The jury is usually made up of specific partners of a given year – representatives from the private business sector, the banking sector or the local accelerator. However, we have been working with the Startup Kitchen team for a long time, so master chef Tomas Cironis will also appear on stage again.

What position has the competition created in the Czech startup community during its existence?

Creative Business Cup has built a strong position in the startup community of the cultural and creative industries. The event offers startups the opportunity to gain media attention, advice from experts, valuable contacts and support for business development. It also serves as a scouting platform to find talented startups potentially suitable for the Technology Incubation project. With the participation of private companies, municipalities and other entities supporting the creative industries, the event becomes a key venue for establishing partnerships.

AI is a growing phenomenon. What role does it play in the business models of the contestants this year?

AI plays an important role in the submitted projects as a tool for streamlining processes and developing innovation. However, it is still true that its full potential is only developed under the guidance of creatives. Compared to AI, humans have the unique ability to think critically and make intuitive decisions, which enables them to lead AI to original and meaningful results. Entrants are using AI not only to optimise production or customer experience, but also to create new products, and creative leadership remains a key success factor.

Is there a promising sector that Czech creative startups ignore to their detriment?

Honestly, creative startups are definitely not neglecting any sector, and I am often surprised by what kind of idea can be turned into a real working company.

The most prominent participant so far is the startup Nebesys, which also won the global final in 2023. What inspiration can it give to other startups?

Startup Nebesys can serve as an inspiration to other startups in several ways. Its story shows how crucial is the courage to innovate and the ability to turn a creative idea into a product with global potential. Winning the Creative Business Cup 2023 World Finals proves that even smaller countries like the Czech Republic can compete at the highest level with a quality team, clear vision and collaboration. Nebesys also inspires with its ability to combine design with practical function – their roofs opening up interiors to the heavens are not only aesthetically unique, but also bring real value to users. And we certainly can’t forget the Kenka puppet game, a silver medalist at CBC 2024, which will be featured at EXPO Osaka 2025 this year, also a huge success!

For the ninth time this year, the finals of the Creative Business Cup competition, organized by the CzechInvest state agency, will take place. Here, creative startups compete to win in a national round, with the winner then advancing to the global final, which takes place in Copenhagen in June. The Czech final will take place on 19 March 2025 in Hradec Králové.

Author of the article: Igor Březina

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