Moravskoslezské inovační centrum

What Moravskoslezské inovační centrum does

Moravskoslezské inovační centrum (MSIC), operating as MSIC Ostrava a.s., is a publicly funded innovation center established in 2017 in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and headquartered on the T-Park campus. It was founded by five regional institutional partners — the Statutory City of Ostrava, the Moravian-Silesian Region, VŠB-TUO, Ostravská univerzita, and Slezská univerzita — to serve as the primary intermediary for SME and startup innovation support in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The organization is not a technology developer; rather, it channels European and national funding programs (EDIH, Interreg Europe, LIFE, Horizon 2020, National Recovery Plan) into subsidized consulting services for its clients, who cover only 13-28% of service costs.

MSIC's service portfolio is organized around four pillars: Financing (grant counseling), Know-how (business development, digitalization via DIGI Sken/Projekt, sustainability via ENVI Scan/Projekt), Matchmaking (MSIC Innovation Network with 133+ experts, Pitch&Meet events), and Facilities (coworking, offices, meeting rooms, shared laboratories). It runs acceleration programs (EnviBooster, Expand, Startup Expand), student initiatives (LabZero, Bootcamp, DEMOLA), international competitions (CEE Startup Voucher with up to 20,000 EUR prizes), and flagship events (InnoVerse conference, Dny AI festival across 34+ Czech cities). Strategic partners include IT4Innovations (supercomputing access), Enterprise Europe Network Czechia, the CEE Startup Network across Czech, Poland, and Slovakia, and the Ministry of the Environment via the LIFE COALA climate adaptation project.

The business model is a managed-services structure funded primarily through public institutional sources — European project grants, founder contributions, and co-financing from the Moravian-Silesian Region and the City of Ostrava — rather than commercial fees. Client co-payments are deliberately minimal (DIGI Projekt 15,000 CZK against 115,000+ CZK value; ENVI Project 15,000 CZK + VAT against 60,000 CZK + VAT value) to maximize adoption among regional SMEs. Leadership consists of CEO Adéla Hradilová and Chairman Pavel Csank, with a team in the 11-50 employee range supplemented by the external MSIC expert network.

Name

Moravskoslezské inovační centrum

Legal name

Moravskoslezské inovační centrum Ostrava a.s.

Website

https://ms-ic.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Moravskoslezské inovační centrum (MSIC) is a publicly funded innovation center in Ostrava, Czech Republic, providing subsidized consulting, digitalization, sustainability, and startup acceleration services to SMEs, startups, and ecosystem members in the Moravian-Silesian Region. Founded in 2017 by five regional institutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ostrava

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Publicly Funded Innovation Services: MSIC operates as a publicly funded innovation center with founders including the Statutory City of Ostrava, Moravian-Silesian Region, VŠB-TUO, Ostravská univerzita, and Slezská univerzita. Services to clients are heavily subsidized, with MSIC covering the majority of costs through European funding programs (EDIH, Interreg Europe, LIFE, Horizon 2020, National Recovery Plan) and founder contributions. Clients contribute only 13-28% of service costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Moravskoslezské inovační centrum (MSIC) is a publicly funded regional innovation center providing subsidized consulting, grant advisory, digitalization, sustainability, matchmaking, and physical workspace services to SMEs, startups, and the broader innovation ecosystem in the Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic. Core offerings span four pillars — Financing (grant counseling), Know-how (business development, digitalization, sustainability/ESG services), Matchmaking (Innovation Network, expert connections), and Facilities (offices, coworking, labs) — together with acceleration programs (Expand, EnviBooster, Startup Expand) and flagship events such as the InnoVerse conference and Dny AI festival.

Product overview

Moravskoslezské inovační centrum (MSIC) is an innovation and entrepreneurship support organization providing a comprehensive portfolio of services for SMEs, startups, and established businesses in the Moravian-Silesian Region. The portfolio is organized into four main service pillars: (1) Financing through grant counseling and access to funding programs; (2) Know-how including business development, company digitalization (DIGI Sken/Projekt), and sustainability services (ENVI Scan/Project); (3) Matchmaking through the MSIC Innovation Network, Pitch&Meet events, and expert connections; (4) Facilities including offices, coworking spaces, meeting rooms, and shared laboratories in the T-Park campus. MSIC also operates multiple acceleration programs (Expand, EnviBooster, Startup Expand), student innovation initiatives (LabZero, Bootcamp), and organizes major events including the InnoVerse conference and Dny AI festival. Key projects include ENVI-TECH, PODREG, MSK Digital, LIFE COALA, and CECI for circular economy. MSIC coordinates the CEE Startup Network platform across Central and Eastern Europe and manages the CEE Startup Voucher international competition. The organization is a member of the Enterprise Europe Network and operates EDIH Ostrava European Digital Innovation Hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• InnoVerse: Annual innovation conference organized by MSIC that brings together entrepreneurs, innovators and business professionals.
• CEE Startup Network
• DIH Ostrava
• EDIH Ostrava
• ENVI Services
• DIGI Services

Products and services

• Grant Counseling (Grantové poradenství)
• Business Development and Management Consulting (Rozvoj a řízení firmy)
• Digitalization Services (DIGI Sken and DIGI Projekt)

Quantifiable outcome

• 784 clients served, 1,658 change projects supported, 372 workers in T-Park ecosystem, 133 collaborating experts
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability10 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Vysoká škola báňská - Technická univerzita Ostrava (VŠB-TUO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVŠB-TUO is one of MSIC's five founders. The university collaborates on multiple programs including the EDIH Ostrava (Digital Innovation Hub), the DIH Ostrava initiative with IT4Innovations, the DEMOLA student innovation platform, and co-organization of events like Dny AI. VŠB-TUO contributes research capabilities and student talent to the regional innovation ecosystem.
• Ostravská univerzita (OSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOstravská univerzita is one of MSIC's five founding institutions. It participates in the DEMOLA student innovation platform and the broader regional innovation ecosystem coordinated by MSIC.
• Slezská univerzita v Opavě (SU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlezská univerzita is one of MSIC's five founding institutions. It co-authored the Fact Sheet 2023/2024 on the innovation ecosystem of MSK, contributing academic expertise to regional innovation analysis.
• Statutární město OstravacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatutory City of Ostrava is one of MSIC's five founding institutions and provides municipal support including co-financing of EEN services through a Statement of Intent (SOHZ).
• Moravskoslezský kraj (MSK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoravian-Silesian Region is one of MSIC's five founding institutions. It co-finances EEN services and is the main guarantor of the LIFE COALA project for climate adaptation. MSIC provides services to the region for implementing its Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS MSK).
• IT4Innovations (National Supercomputing Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIT4Innovations national supercomputing center at VŠB-TUO is MSIC's key partner for the EDIH Ostrava and DIH Ostrava initiatives. IT4Innovations provides supercomputing infrastructure (Barbora, Salomon, Anselm systems; NVIDIA DGX-2 for AI; upcoming Karolina supercomputer) that MSIC helps make accessible to regional SMEs through subsidized services.
• Enterprise Europe Network Czechia (EEN Czechia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSIC is a member of the EEN Czechia consortium, one of the world's largest innovation and business support networks with 600+ member organizations. EEN provides MSIC with access to international technology transfer, partnering opportunities, and SME support services. MSIC offers EEN services in the Moravian-Silesian Region covering sustainability, digitalization, innovation, financing, and international expansion advisory.
• Impact Hub OstravamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerImpact Hub Ostrava co-organizes events with MSIC including Podnikavky v MSK (women's entrepreneurship networking) and other innovation ecosystem events. Impact Hub provides co-working facilities and programmatic collaboration.
• Česká národní AI platforma (CNAIP)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCNAIP is the national organizer of the Dny AI festival across Czech Republic. MSIC co-organizes the Ostrava chapter of Dny AI as a major annual event. CNAIP also collaborates with Google on AI training roadshow activities.
• CEE Startup NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCEE Startup Network is a platform initiated by MSIC that connects innovation centers, startups, and key players across Central and Eastern Europe. Members include MSIC (Czech Republic), INOVIA Žilina (Slovakia), Spinus and Invento (Poland). The platform organizes the CEE Startup Voucher competition (prizes up to 20,000 EUR) and aims to strengthen the visibility and competitiveness of smaller regional ecosystems on the European stage.
• Demola (Finland)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSIC brought the Finnish Demola platform to the Moravian-Silesian Region. Demola gives university students opportunities to work on real company challenges in interdisciplinary teams over a 10-week period, with Finnish mentors. Pilot launched in 2024 with VŠB-TUO, OSU, and SU students working on challenges for companies including Porsche Engineering and Tietoevry.
• INOVIA Žilina (Slovakia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerINOVIA is MSIC's key Slovak partner in the CEE Startup Network. Together with MSIC, INOVIA co-founded the CEE Startup Network and co-organizes the CEE Startup Voucher competition. INOVIA led the 2025 edition hosted in Žilina.
• Patrioti MSKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPatrioti MSK is a non-profit organization focused on connecting and educating entrepreneurs in the Moravian-Silesian Region since 2012. MSIC partnered with Patrioti MSK to co-organize the 'From start-up to scale-up' event at Ostrava Airport, which was attended by over 100 participants and featured the TOP Startups & Scaleups to Watch MSK 2025 awards.
• Moravskoslezská vědecká knihovna (MSVK)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMSVK co-organizes the Ostrava program of the Dny AI festival, providing venues and programming for families, seniors, and general public AI literacy events.
• CzechInvestminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCzechInvest is the national business and investment agency and co-organizer of Podnikavky v MSK events. CzechInvest also participated in discussions about expanding the Demola platform to national level.
• KHK MSK (Moravian-Silesian Chamber of Commerce)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerKHK MSK co-organizes Podnikavky v MSK networking events for women entrepreneurs in the region.
• CzechTrademinorGTM or Marketing PartnerCzechTrade is a partner in the EEN Czechia consortium alongside MSIC, providing international trade support services to regional SMEs.
• JIC (Jihomoravské inovační centrum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJIC is a partner in the EEN Czechia consortium, coordinating Czech innovation support services alongside MSIC within the European network.
• BIC Plzeň (Podnikatelské a inovační centrum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIC Plzeň is a partner in the EEN Czechia consortium, providing innovation support services from the Plzeň region within the European network.
• Ynovate (network of innovation centers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSIC is part of the Ynovate professional network of innovation centers across the Czech Republic, giving access to more than 100 experts for client services. The network enables cross-regional expert referrals and knowledge sharing.
• AI dětem (AI for Children)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAI dětem is a non-profit organization that co-organizes the Ostrava Dny AI festival program, providing educational AI content for children and families.
• Founders 4 FoundersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounders 4 Founders is a partner initiative listed on the MSIC website, supporting founder-to-founder networking and community building in the regional startup ecosystem.
• IdeaHUB (Prototyping Workshop)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerIdeaHUB is listed as a co-organizer of the Ostrava Dny AI festival, contributing prototyping and maker space expertise to the technology education program.
• Moravskoslezská technologická akademieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Moravian-Silesian Technological Academy co-organizes the Ostrava Dny AI festival, contributing technology-focused educational content.
• Ministry of the Environment of the Czech RepublicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Ministry of the Environment is a partner in the LIFE COALA project, providing policy support for the regional climate adaptation strategy implementation.
• Silesian Voivodeship (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilesian Voivodeship is a partner in the LIFE COALA international climate adaptation project, contributing to cross-border cooperation between the Moravian-Silesian Region and the Silesian Voivodeship of Poland.
• Główny Instytut Górnictwa (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGłówny Instytut Górnictwa from Katowice, Poland, is a partner in the LIFE COALA project, contributing mining and industrial expertise to the climate adaptation initiative.
• Nadace Partnerství (Partner Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNadace Partnerství is a partner in the LIFE COALA project, contributing expertise in environmental and climate adaptation projects to the regional initiative.
• DIAMO (state enterprise)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDIAMO is a Czech state enterprise partner in the LIFE COALA project, contributing to regional climate adaptation strategy implementation.
• MSID (Moravian-Silesian Investments and Development)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSID operates the Advisory Center for Landscape and Settlements within the LIFE COALA project, providing specialized climate adaptation services in the region.
• Moravian-Silesian Energy Center (MEC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEC operates the Advisory Center for Buildings within the LIFE COALA project, providing energy and building-related climate adaptation expertise.
• Letiště Ostrava (Ostrava Airport)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerOstrava Airport was a partner venue for the 'From start-up to scale-up' event organized by MSIC and Patrioti MSK, where the TOP Startups & Scaleups to Watch MSK 2025 were announced. The venue hosted over 100 participants.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Spinus: Slovak innovation hub and CEE Startup Network co-founding member alongside MSIC and INOVIA. Provides comparable SME/startup support services and jointly organizes the CEE Startup Voucher competition, functioning as a direct peer for CEE regional ecosystem coordination.
• INOVIA Žilina: Slovak innovation hub and MSIC's co-founding partner in the CEE Startup Network. Hosts the CEE Startup Voucher 2025 finals and operates a near-identical mix of regional SME consulting, startup acceleration, and ecosystem orchestration, making it MSIC's closest international peer.
• Invento (Poland): Polish innovation center and CEE Startup Network member, collaborating with MSIC on cross-border startup competitions and ecosystem programs. Operates a similar regional innovation support model with a focus on connecting Polish startups to international opportunities.
• BIC Plzeň (Podnikatelské a inovační centrum Plzeň): Czech regional business and innovation center serving the Plzeň region, offering SME advisory, startup support, and EU-funded services. Member of EEN Czechia alongside MSIC, providing directly comparable services to a different Czech region with a similar institutional and operational model.
• JIC (Jihomoravské inovační centrum): South Moravian regional innovation center based in Brno, providing similar SME/startup support, acceleration, and corporate matchmaking in the Czech Republic. Operates as a direct peer within the same EEN Czechia and Ynovate networks and competes for the same Czech talent, startup pipeline, and European programme funding.

Broad incumbents

• CzechInvest: Czech national business and investment development agency. Overlaps with MSIC on startup/SME support, FDI attraction, and innovation ecosystem programs but at a national scale with substantially larger budget and political backing; competes for the same EU programme allocation.

Others

• Impact Hub Network: Global network of innovation hubs with an Ostrava chapter that co-organizes MSIC events (Podnikavky v MSK). Provides coworking and programmatic infrastructure that overlaps with MSIC's coworking and community offerings but does not compete for the same regional monopoly.
• EIT Digital: European pan-regional digital innovation community under Horizon Europe. Provides a supranational layer of innovation support, accelerator programs, and venture capital that occasionally overlaps with regional hubs like MSIC, particularly through AI and digitalization initiatives.
• CzechTrade: Czech national trade promotion agency and EEN Czechia consortium partner. Complements MSIC's innovation services with internationalization support, serving a related but distinct role within the same public-backed business support ecosystem.

Regional players

• KHK MSK (Moravskoslezská hospodářská komora): Regional chamber of commerce for the Moravian-Silesian Region, co-organizing Podnikavky v MSK events with MSIC. Provides adjacent business support services (advocacy, networking, training) within the same geography without directly competing on innovation/acceleration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/MSIC_cz
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC2m85j2e3lZoCdGC-HIDdtQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/MSIC.cz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/msic-ova
• Instagraminstagram.com/msic_cz

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Moravskoslezské inovační centrum