As startup hubs begin to pop up around Europe, Prague has caught the attention of both entrepreneurs and innovators.
Let’s be honest, who wouldn’t fall in love with the city’s architectural beauty? Prague’s cultural richness is not the only factor attracting startups nowadays, they are also drawn to the city’s favorable and welcoming business environment, world class talent and its generous cost of living.
Prague’s startup ecosystem is on the rise and proof of that is a significant number of incubators and accelerators where innovators can get their ideas off the ground.
We have listed them out below for you:
1. AI Startup Incubator
- Description: "Established in Prague in 2017, AI Startup Incubator is the only impact-focused AI incubator in Europe. It seeks to advance AI business projects from ideation to market viable product and to offer responsible technological solutions to pressing problems our society faces."
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, natural language processing, robotics automation, virtual reality, augmented reality, computer vision, gaming
- AI Startup Incubator Requirements: Apply for more details
- AI Startup Incubator Deal Terms: Up to $2,000,000 investment for 10-30% equity
2. Akcelerátor VŠEM
- Description: "To contribute to a sustainable future. Those in which we want to live. Projects can come from all over the country. Just trying to solve the problems we have in the Czech Republic. We strive for a solution or project to succeed at home and abroad. The accelerator has a capacity of 15 teams that set up StartUp VŠEM in its premises.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: They focus on tackling 8 UN Sustainable Goals (Responsible Production and Consumption, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Reduced Inequalities, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Gender Equality, Quality Education, Good Health and Well-Being and No Poverty)
- Akcelerátor VŠEM Requirements: Teams of students, graduates, non-profit and business people.
- Akcelerátor VŠEM Deal Terms: Apply for more details
3. BOLT
- Description: “We’re looking for startups with a great idea, skilled team and determination in effort. Your idea doesn’t have to cover field of telecommunications. There are lots of possible synergies we can discover together and if we do, we can help you like no one else. BOLT is no ordinary startup incubator. BOLT is a business initiative directly connected to O2 Czech Republic, which provides not only the necessary funding to startups, but also an access to unique competences of telecommunication operator.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: All tech or tech-enabled businesses.
- BOLT Requirements: Although they focus on startups that have a finalized product or are in the go-to-market stage, they are open to startups with innovative ideas and who are starting to work on their product.
- BOLT Deal Terms: They do not have predefined limits but their investments and co-investments are evaluated on an individual basis.
- Notable BOLT Alumni: CROSS, Dateio, IP Fabric Misterine, Mluvii, Pygmalios Tapito, Taxify
4. CzechAccelerator
- Description: “Participating in CzechAccelerator, you will have a three-month acceleration program in a foreign incubator in Silicon Valley, New York, Singapore or London, full of mentoring, counseling, workshops, networking events and other related services.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: Any/All
- CzechAccelerator Requirements: It is designed for Czech companies with an innovative existing product/service. They are also looking for companies with a high growth and commercialization potential.
- CzechAccelerator Deal Terms: Office space, mentoring and consultation, workshops and networking events, marketing materials and translations, IP protection and transportation costs.
- Notable CzechAccelerator Alumni: Ki-Wi Digital, PRESENTIGO, Webdevel
5. eClub Prague
- Description: “eClub 2019 is an activity organized for students who want to work on high tech projects during the academic year. Make your project a semestral work of BSc, MSc thesis, earn credits.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: Big Data, Analytics, IoT
- eClub Requirements: It is for students (including, foreign and doctoral students) currently studying during the 2019 academic year at any Czech University.
- eClub Deal Terms: A commitment for one semester (minimum) in the eClub incubator to work on an agreed project. You are required to work from the CTU – CIIRC building at least one day a week (minimum 8 hours). Monthly scholarships are available: 3000 CZK (one day), 6000 CZK (two days) and 9000 CZK for three days a week. If the project milestones are not met, they reserve the right to cancel the scholarship.
- Notable eClub Alumni: Alquist AI, YodaQA
6. ESA Business Incubation Centre
- Description: “Why apply for incubation at ESA BIC Prague? You’ll be part of a European- wide network, working in an innovative, high-tech entrepreneurial environment. You will also get a wide range of financial, technical and business support. Our aim is to turn innovative business concepts, using space technologies into successful businesses.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: Space Technology
- ESA Business Incubation Centre Requirements: Startups (up to 5 years old), students, innovators, entrepreneurs and spin-off companies.
- ESA Business Incubation Centre Deal Terms: 50,000€ with a maximum of 2 years of incubation; plus, consulting, discounted rent and international PR.
- Notable ESA Alumni: Festka, InsightART, NaviRider, OCTOGEO, Triphood, TuddyTuddy, ZETJET
7. Founder Institute Prague (pre-seed accelerator)
- Description: The Founder Institute works with entrepreneurs and teams in the pre-seed stage, typically before they are advanced enough to gain acceptance into a seed-accelerator program. The program helps you build an enduring business by providing Prague startup experts that are invested in your success, and a structured business-building process that has helped alumni raise over $1.75BN.
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: All tech or tech-enabled businesses.
- Founder Institute Requirements: Both solo founders and teams at the pre-seed stage are welcome, including those at the idea or very early-stages of a company (including pre-incorporation). If your company has significant funding, traction, or revenue, then you are probably too advanced for the Founder Institute and should consider applying to the seed-accelerators on this list.
- Founder Institute Deal Terms: To create a strong support network, participants join an "Equity Collective" where they contribute 4% of their company to a shared pool. Any financial returns to this pool are then shared equally with each cohort's alumni, the program mentors, Local Leaders, and Founder Institute.
- Notable Founder Institute Alumni: Udemy, Acudeen, Appota, Ovamba, Realty Mogul, TravelCar, and more.
8. i&i Prague
- Description: “We are i&i Prague, a biotech hub located right in the centre of Europe, and our objective is to identify the potential of, and nurture, new inventions in MedTech, Biotech, Diagnostics and Drug Discovery by Central European scientists and researchers. We do this by sourcing or, in some cases, providing financial investment for your invention, then we will help you with product development and, ultimately, market entry.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: MedTech, Biotech, Diagnostics and Drug Discovery.
- i&i Prague Requirements: Having a groundbreaking invention.
- i&i Prague Deal Terms: The selected projects go under evaluation and are sent to the i&i Prague Investment Board for approval. Once approved, the project is backed by an investment or a collaborative agreement.
- Notable i&i Prague Alumni: DIANA Biotechnologies, Dracen Pharmaceuticals, Enantis, iBodies, RIOCATH GLOBAL
9. ITACA Business Incubator
- Description: “We try to help startups on each stage of its existing. Our main focus is on early-stage projects with global perspectives, on a stage where startup needs the biggest support, as almost nobody ready to take a risk here. But we strongly believe that someone has to and we are are looking for diamonds from the very beginning.
With the later stages, if we can bring you some value - we will be happy to help: to connect you with the right investor or fund, to leverage the support that corporates can provide you, to introduce you to big potential customer, or to find some potential partners on other markets. This World needs ideas and execution.” - Sectors / Markets of Focus: CleanTech, MedTech, FinTech, Cyber Security, BlockChain, AI, Big Data and Cloud.
- ITACA Business Incubator Requirements: Having an early-stage project with a global perspective.
- ITACA Business Incubator Deal Terms: They offer access to their investment club: 30,000€ of initial investments. Plus, they have a network of investment funds from the US and Europe.
- Notable ITACA Business Incubator Alumni: CleverFood, COREBRICK, SPTStimulTest
10. Prague Startup Centre
- Description: “We will help you to connect with convenient investors and partners, locally or abroad, and kickstart your growth right from the heart of Prague.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: All tech or tech-enabled businesses.
- Prague Startup Centre Requirements: Anyone who wants to help develop the startup ecosystem in Prague.
- Prague Startup Centre Deal Terms: Apply for more details.
- Notable Prague Startup Centre Alumni: Aerojobs, Apify, Battswap, Boxtrap Security, Confidence Digital, Factorify, mForce, Minute Screen, SvetUbytovani.cz, UX Focus, Vitadio, VRgineers
11. Prague IoT & Smart City Incubator
- Description: “Expand your ideas for IoT in a functional prototype that you get to customers on international markets in less than one year.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: IoT, MedTech, AgTech.
- Prague IoT & Smart City Incubator Requirements: Startups and innovators who want to develop an idea or work in IoT.
- Prague IoT & Smart City Incubator Deal Terms: Apply for more details.
- Notable Prague IoT & Smart City Incubator Alumni: Battswap
12. Prague Startup Market
- Description: “Modern and interactive spaces with technological facilities for your innovative projects. We will support you from the idea to the product.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: All tech or tech-enabled businesses.
- Prague Startup Market Requirements: Anyone who wants to help develop the startup ecosystem in Prague.
- Prague Startup Market Deal Terms: Apply for more details.
- Notable Prague Startup Market Alumni: Czechitas, Dotu, makeITtoday, Neuron Soundware, Vitadio, VRgineers
13. RARE Technologies Student Incubator
- Description: “Our student Incubator offers a unique mix of academic mentorship, hand-on project work and technical training. It is a highly selective program where you will be mentored by an industry expert as you develop a pragmatic solution to a real-world problem using machine learning.
Whether it is your thesis or a project you’re passionate about, you will complete the program a more confident coder, make invaluable industry connections and gain a wealth of practical learning which may be applied anywhere you work.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: Data Science and Machine Learning.
- RARE Technologies Student Incubator Requirements: It’s open to students at both partner and non-partner universities.
- RARE Technologies Student Incubator Deal Terms: The most talented students are eligible to receive scholarships and financial compensation for their completed projects. Non-partner students may be also compensated on a case-by-case basis.
14. Startupbootcamp Commerce
- Description: “Are you an innovative startup that is operating in the industries of Commerce? Then Startupbootcamp Commerce team invites you to our Office Hours.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: Industries of Commerce.
- Startupbootcamp Requirements: B2B and B2G startups (MVP/prototype phase minimum) and scale-ups.
- Startupbootcamp Deal Terms: Connect with other participating teams, mentors and investors from the local ecosystem; plus, you will get exposed to the Startupbootcamp ecosystem.
- Notable Startupbootcamp Alumni: 3D Click, Clickly, Jetlink, Quiver, Salestack, Shelf Sailor, StartMonday, VINHOOD
15. StartupYard
- Description: “Welcome to Central Europe’s Leading Accelerator for Technology Startups.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: AR/VR, Deep Tech, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, Cryptography, Robots, IoT, Cybersecurity.
- StartupYard Requirements: They are open to great ideas. Also, looking to invest in talented founders who want to tackle hard-to-solve technology and business problems in the areas of Machine Learning, IoT, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, and related fields.
- StartupYard Deal Terms: 3 Month Program, 30,000€ investment, 100+ Mentors, 500,000€+ in perks.
- Notable StartupYard Alumni: Intelligent Trading Foundation, Payowallet, PrintSYSt, ShufflUp, UrbiGo, Vistag, Yanda.io
16. UP21
- Description: “UP21 is a navigation company for innovators. From Day 1 we hop on board and provide our entrepreneurs with 4 crucial things to make them fly: financial investment, specialized mentoring, personal development and important skills.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: All tech or tech-enabled businesses.
- UP21 Requirements: Entrepreneurs and innovators with early-stage companies.
- UP21 Deal Terms: They are private investors making seed investments.
- Notable UP21 Alumni: BeeHousing, CROSS NI, DvojKlikové účetnictví, Geo Applications, Gettick, Hunter Games, Sdilejprostor.cz, SENS, Shipvio, SLOVOHRÁTKY, Smart Record App, Spaceflow, Vistag
17. xPORT VŠE Business Accelerator
- Description: “We are business accelerator VŠE. Helping innovative ideas and startup teams on their way to success. We are here for students, absolvents, startup teams and even for corporations.”
- Sectors / Markets of Focus: Any/All
- xPORT VŠE Business Accelerator Requirements: Having innovative ideas and startups looking for growth.
- xPORT VŠE Business Accelerator Deal Terms: The program lasts up to 1 year. They offer a mentoring program, workshops, networking, an inspirational environment and a startup community; plus, marketing and PR support.
- Notable xPORT VŠE Business Accelerator Alumni: Farfalia, Netspot, SimpleJohn, SOLVICA, Techambition, UX Focus, Vehiklo, Zendoro
