Where is CzechInvest Defence Hub based and what is its focus?
The CzechInvest Defence Hub is based in Prague, Czechia. It focuses on supporting innovation and dual-use technologies across key domains such as space, advanced materials and AI.
As part of the NATO DIANA Accelerator Network, the Hub connects startups, industry, academia, and government partners to help transform breakthrough ideas into practical, mission-ready solutions for both civilian and defence applications.
What is your role within the NATO DIANA programme, and what support do you offer innovators?
Within the NATO DIANA programme, the CzechInvest Defence Hub acts as an accelerator site, supporting innovators as they refine and scale their dual-use technologies.
The Hub offers tailored mentorship, access to research institutions and testing facilities, and help startups develop business strategies, connect with investors and industry partners, and bring their prototypes to market.
The goal is to help innovators navigate the critical early stages of development — bridging the gap between civilian innovation and the needs of the defence and security sector.
What makes CzechInvest Defence Hub unique?
What makes the CzechInvest Defence Hub unique is its strategic position within the Czech government’s innovation ecosystem — combining the strengths of public support, private investment, and research expertise.
As part of CzechInvest, the national agency for business and investment development, the Hub bridges the gap between startups, industry, academia, and state institutions.
This enables us to connect innovators with the right partners, funding opportunities, and testing environments, helping dual-use technologies grow from promising ideas into deployable solutions with real impact for NATO and its allies.
Can you share an example of a company that you supported?
Throughout our first year as an accelerator site, we were glad that we could help our innovators find business partners in the Czech ekosystém, for example UK’s Hydrogen Refinery found a new partner in Czech chemical manufacturer Spolana.
What is your biggest success so far within the DIANA programme?
Our biggest success so far was propably the CzechInvest Defence Hub Demo Day at the end of Phase 1 of the 2025 DIANA programme, where we were able to partner up with Globsec Forum – one of the biggest Defence oriented conferences in 2025, which allowed us to invite representatives from Czech and International big industry and let our cohort introduce themselves to them.
How does CzechInvest Defence Hub help connect people to broader networks?
CzechInvest Defence Hub is a governmental agency and as such has great access to regulators and public institutions, including the Czech Ministry of Defence. Through our grant programmes, which also support university spin offs, we also have good connections to Czech academia, including test centres. As an Agency responsible for cultivation of the business and investment environment in all regions of the Czech Republic, CzechInvest has offices in all 14 regions of the Czech Republic and can provide information about local industry and institutions.
CzechInvest also has foreign offices in multiple countries worldwide, primarily dealing with helping Czech companies find business partners and other opportunities, and we are able to offer these services to DIANA innovators as well. In Defence industry, our most treasured partner is AOBP – an association representing over 230 defence suppliers. CzechInvest is also a part of the Czech EEN network, which is a network of over 600 entities throughout Europe promoting international cooperation.
In short, CzechInvest is an excellent facilitator when it comes to reaching out to industry, governmental institutions and academia not only in the Czech Republic but also internationally.