CzechInvest

What CzechInvest does

CzechInvest, formally the Investment and Business Development Agency, is the statutory government agency of the Czech Republic responsible for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and supporting the domestic startup and SME ecosystem. It was established in 1994 and operates under the Ministry of Industry and Trade pursuant to Act No. 72/2000 Coll. (Investment Incentives Act) and Act No. 47/2002 Coll. (SME Support Act). Headquartered in Prague at Štěpánská 15, the agency maintains a nationwide network of 13 regional offices and 8 foreign offices spanning the USA (California and New York), Canada, the UK and Ireland, Germany, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

The agency's core offerings fall into three categories: investment promotion (investment incentives covering manufacturing, strategic product production, technology centres and business support service centres; site selection via brownfield and supplier databases; visa and work permit support for key personnel, highly qualified workers, qualified workers, digital nomads, and long-term residence for investors; post-investment AfterCare exemplified by the 'Suppliers for BMW' program); startup and deep-tech incubation (ESA BIC Czech Republic, DIANA for defence innovation, the CERN Venture Connect program covering technologies such as Structured Laser Beam, Ultralight Cold Plate, Single Mode Laser, White Rabbit and RUCIO); and sector development programs targeting AI & Digital, Space, Smart Mobility, Semiconductors (Czech Semicon Days) and Defence (DEFENCE HUB). Flagship ecosystem events include Czech Startup Week, which attracted 2,500+ visitors in 2025 and is expanding internationally with a New York edition in 2026.

CzechInvest is funded by Czech government appropriations and EU programs (notably the Digital Europe Program and the Enterprise Europe Network); it generates no commercial revenue from clients, and its 'output' is measured in jobs created, investment attracted, and companies supported rather than in monetary revenue. Named enterprise engagements include BMW (supplier ecosystem), Hyundai, Lego, Siemens, Stora Enso and Novo Nordisk (€320+ million investment in Bohumil). The agency does not sell proprietary software products; its digital platforms (Business Properties Database, Database of Suppliers, ESA BIC portal, data reports) are public-service tools rather than commercial offerings.

Name

CzechInvest

Legal name

Investment and Business Development Agency CzechInvest

Website

https://czechinvest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CzechInvest is the Czech Republic's statutory investment and business development agency, attracting foreign direct investment, supporting startups via incubation programs (ESA BIC, DIANA, CERN Venture Connect), and delivering investment incentives, visa support, and sector development across 13 domestic and 8 foreign offices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Investment Promotion

NAICS

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Growth, Livelihoods & Private Sector Development (BPADAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

National Development Banks & State Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) (BPADACAC), Export Promotion & Market Access Support (BPADAMAC)

Keywords

• Investment promotion services
• Foreign direct investment
• Startup incubation programs
• Investment incentives administration
• Business development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government-funded operations (public service): CzechInvest is a government agency operating under Act No. 47/2002 Coll. (Support for SMEs) and Act No. 72/2000 Coll. (Investment Incentives Act). It is funded by the Czech government and EU programs to provide investment promotion, startup support, and business development services at no direct cost to clients. The agency generates no commercial revenue from clients; its 'output' is measured in jobs created, investment attracted, and companies supported.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CzechInvest is the Czech Republic's government-designated investment and business development agency. It attracts foreign direct investment by administering investment incentives (tax breaks, grants, land support) for manufacturing plants, technology centres, strategic product facilities, and business support service centres, and delivers post-investment aftercare. It also runs the Czech startup ecosystem through technology incubation programs (ESA BIC Czech Republic, DIANA, CERN Venture Connect), visa and residence support, business property/supplier databases, and sector development programs in AI, semiconductors, space, mobility, and defence.

Product overview

CzechInvest is the Investment and Business Development Agency of the Czech Republic. It is not a unified software product but rather a multi-faceted government agency offering a portfolio of investment, startup development, and business support services. The core offerings include: technology incubation programs (ESA BIC Czech Republic, DIANA, CERN Venture Connect); investment incentive services and business property databases; visa support for skilled workers and investors; and sector development programs covering AI & Digital, Space, Mobility, and Defence. These services are delivered through a network of 13 regional offices and 7 foreign offices across major markets. CzechInvest also organizes flagship industry events including Czech Semicon Days (semiconductor ecosystem) and Czech Startup Week (startup ecosystem).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Czech Semicon Days: Annual semiconductor ecosystem event organized by CzechInvest to advance the Czech semiconductor industry
• DEFENCE HUB
• Czech Startup Week
• ESA BIC Czech Republic

Products and services

• ESA BIC Czech Republic

Quantifiable outcome

• Novo Nordisk invested more than €320 million in Bohumil, Czech Republic, with CzechInvest's contribution.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers29 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aéro MontréalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzechInvest partnered with Aéro Montréal to organize a Czech delegation to the International Aerospace Innovation Forum in Montréal, Canada. CzechInvest, in coordination with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa, facilitated Czech aerospace companies showcasing advanced technologies including engineering solutions, robotics-based testing systems, and aviation optimization technologies to global industry stakeholders. Government officials from the Czech Ministry of Transport engaged in strategic discussions with Canadian aerospace authorities to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzechInvest cooperates with ESA to operate ESA BIC Czech Republic, a technology incubator supporting space-related startups and early-stage companies. ESA BIC is a flagship program of the agency, providing specialized incubation services for companies developing space technologies and applications.
• CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzechInvest administers the CERN Venture Connect program, which connects Czech startups with CERN technologies and commercialization opportunities. The program focuses on CERN-developed technologies including Structured Laser Beam, Ultralight Cold Plate, Single Mode Laser, White Rabbit, and RUCIO, facilitating their transfer to Czech companies for commercial development.
• Enterprise Europe Network (EEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzechInvest participates in the Enterprise Europe Network, an EU-funded network supporting SMEs in innovation, internationalization, and technology transfer. As part of EEN, CzechInvest provides services to help Czech companies access European and global markets, find technology partners, and transfer innovations across borders.
• CzechTradecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCzechTrade (official Czech trade promotion agency) is listed as a partner of CzechInvest. Both agencies work together to support Czech companies in international markets — CzechInvest focusing on investment and startup ecosystem development, and CzechTrade focusing on trade promotion and export facilitation.
• CzechStartups.orgcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCzechStartups.org is listed as a partner of CzechInvest, collaborating on startup ecosystem development activities in the Czech Republic.
• ČVUT (Czech Technical University in Prague)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerČVUT (Czech Technical University in Prague) is listed as a partner organization, supporting CzechInvest's activities in research, development, and innovation, particularly in connecting academic institutions with the startup and investment ecosystem.
• Ministry of Transport of the Czech Republic (MD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Transport collaborates with CzechInvest on investment projects, trade missions, and bilateral cooperation in strategic sectors including aerospace. Government officials from the ministry engage directly with foreign authorities and industry as part of CzechInvest-organized delegations.
• Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic (MPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of Industry and Trade is a key government partner, providing policy direction and program approval for investment incentives and business support schemes administered by CzechInvest.
• DIANA (Defense Innovation Accelerator for NATO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCzechInvest partners with DIANA, a NATO-affiliated defense innovation program, to support Czech startups and companies in the defense and dual-use technology sectors. CzechInvest has also launched its own Defence Hub initiative to consolidate defense innovation support.
• Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TAČR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTAČR (Technology Agency of the Czech Republic) is listed as a partner supporting research, development, and innovation initiatives coordinated through CzechInvest.
• API (Czech Investment and Trade Development Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAPI is listed as a partner collaborating with CzechInvest on investment and trade development activities.
• AFI (Association of Foreign Investment)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAFI (Association of Foreign Investment) is listed as a partner, likely collaborating on advocacy and FDI promotion activities.
• AMSP (Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Crafts)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAMSP is listed as a partner, collaborating on SME support and business development activities.
• SMO (Union of Industry and Commerce of the Czech Republic)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSMO (Svaz měst a obcí / Union of Industry and Commerce) is listed as a partner, supporting CzechInvest's activities in business development and economic promotion.
• Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic (Komora CZ)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKomora CZ (Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic) is listed as a partner organization, collaborating on business development and trade facilitation.
• Embassy of the Czech Republic in OttawacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa, Canada, collaborated with CzechInvest to organize the Czech aerospace delegation to the International Aerospace Innovation Forum in Montréal. This is a key example of diplomatic and investment promotion coordination.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH): Poland's national investment and trade promotion agency operating under a similar statutory mandate to attract FDI and support SMEs. PAIH is CzechInvest's most direct CEE competitor for the same pool of Western and Asian investors evaluating Central European entry.
• Hungarian Investment Promotion Agency (HIPA): Hungary's government agency for FDI attraction and aftercare. HIPA competes directly with CzechInvest for automotive, electronics, and shared service center investments across the CEE region.
• SARIO (Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency): Slovakia's national investment promotion agency with comparable mandate, sector focus on automotive and manufacturing, and overlapping foreign markets. SARIO is the closest geographic peer to CzechInvest.

Broad incumbents

• CzechTrade: Czech Republic's official trade promotion agency and a stated partner of CzechInvest. CzechTrade focuses on export facilitation rather than inbound FDI, making it a complementary rather than competing body within the same national ecosystem.
• Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI): Germany's national economic development agency, substantially larger than CzechInvest and serving the world's largest FDI destination market. Comparable mandate but at much greater scale; useful as a benchmark for program maturity and sector coverage.
• Business France: France's national agency supporting international business development and FDI attraction. Operates a similar dual domestic-international office model and offers comparable investment incentive navigation services.
• JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization): Japan's government-related organization promoting trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. CzechInvest operates a Tokyo foreign office and engages with JETRO for inbound Japanese FDI; comparable in function though much larger in scale.
• KOTRA (Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency): South Korea's national trade and investment promotion agency. CzechInvest operates a Seoul foreign office that engages with KOTRA for inbound Korean FDI; comparable agency model and FDI mandate.
• Enterprise Singapore: Singapore's government agency championing enterprise development; operates investment promotion, startup support, and sector development programs analogous to CzechInvest's mandate. Functions as a best-in-class benchmark for integrated economic development agency design.

Regional players

• Invest Bulgaria (Bulgarian Investment Agency): Bulgaria's national investment promotion agency, focused on attracting FDI to the country. Operates as a CEE regional peer with overlapping sectors (manufacturing, shared services) but a smaller economy and different cost structure.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CzechInvest_CZ
• Facebookfacebook.com/CzechInvest
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/czechinvest

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments19 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CzechInvest