Brno hosts the most important European meeting of innovation centres
What role does innovation play in times of uncertainty? This is the fundamental question that this year's EBN Congress is asking. A number of personalities from major European innovation institutions and incubators will come to Brno this year to lecture and discuss.
"We started planning the congress about a week after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. We told ourselves that no sooner had we emerged from the pandemic than another crisis began. We agreed that innovation helps to adapt to rapid change and that in these turbulent times the ability to innovate and create new, novel solutions is even more important. The main idea will therefore be about what innovation gives to society in times of extreme uncertainty," says David Uhlíř, describing the main theme that will accompany this year's EBN Congress.
Inspiring lectures, interactive workshops, panel discussions and friendly gatherings will fill the spaces at the Intercontinental Hotel in Brno, the Kumst creative hub and the Open Gardens. Topics include:
- Collaboration and partnerships to support regional innovation
- Nurturing innovation ecosystems
- Key success factors in technology support programmes
- Supporting entrepreneurship in Ukraine
- Addressing financing challenges in a high-tech Europe
- Supporting innovation in the areas of space, green technologies, creative and gaming industries, ICT and digital transformation.
"The fact that EBN gives us the confidence to organise the congress shows that we are respected. It shows that we are no longer - as we were fifteen years ago - the so-called poor relations from the East. As a region, we are strong partners, and I'm really happy about that," explains Uhlíř, adding that the congress is an ideal opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the JIC.
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As Europe’s deep-tech landscape accelerates, Brno stands out as a city where science turns into startups. At this year’s Velvet Innovation Conference, which explores courage and resilience in innovation, emerging projects took the stage at the Startup Showcase. ACTOSens, Citymind, Lightly, EpiQ and Veriteus are those to watch. Curated by the innovation agency JIC, these startups combine academic excellence with global ambition, addressing challenges from healthcare and AI to cybersecurity and industrial automation.
In the summer of 2025, the city of Brno—an innovation hub—will host several prestigious international events focusing on technology, science, and research. These events offer a unique opportunity for professionals, students, and enthusiasts who want to keep pace with the latest technologies and establish valuable international connections.