Technologické Inovační Centrum

Name

Technologické Inovační Centrum

Legal name

Technologické inovační centrum s.r.o.

Website

https://ticzlin.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Zlin

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Subsidies and Grants: Primary funding from Zlín Region and EU operational programs including OP VVV, OP JAK, and national research initiatives
2. Incubator Rental Services: Preferential rental rates for office spaces in business incubator, meeting rooms, and video conference facilities
3. Program Fees: Revenue from educational programs, workshops, and acceleration program participation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Technologické Inovační Centrum (TIC) is the regional innovation agency of the Zlín Region, providing business incubation (physical and virtual office rental), acceleration programming (Můj první milion), R&D and innovation financing advisory, risk-capital matchmaking, entrepreneurial education for schools and universities (Business Academy, VR Profi Lab, experiential courses), and implementation of the Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS3 ZK) including the multi-phase Smart Accelerator Zlín Region project. It also operates training and congress room rentals, the Created in Zlín designer showcase, the B2B Catalog of Companies, and GIS-based regional data platforms (Quality of Life in Zlín Region, Live in Zlín).

Product overview

Technologické Inovační Centrum (TIC) is a regional innovation agency offering a comprehensive ecosystem of services organized into five main pillars: (1) Škol mě! (Train me) - education programs including Business Academy, VR Profi Lab, and experiential courses for schools; (2) Plac pro Vás (A place for you) - premises services including Business Incubator, Virtual Incubator, and Training & Congress Rooms; (3) Čni nad dav (Shine above the crowd) - entrepreneur support including the Created in Zlín platform and Innovative Company competition; (4) Cash je blíž (Cash is closer) - financing services including R&D funding support, risk capital connections, and the My First Million acceleration program; and (5) Smart Zlín - regional innovation strategy implementation including the Smart Akcelerátor project series, Live in Zlín platform, and Quality of Life mapping. The organization operates as a platform rather than a single product, providing both direct services and online platforms like the Company Catalog, zlin.jobs, and zlinnovation.cz.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Můj první milion (My First Million): Acceleration program for budding entrepreneurs with innovative intentions, helping transform ideas into real businesses, providing exclusive contacts, finding investors and making projects visible. Operating since 2007, co-financed by Zlín Region.
• Business Incubator (Podnikatelský inkubátor)
• Train Me (Škol mě!)
• Cash is closer
• Shine above the crowd (Čni nad dav)
• Smart Zlín
• A Place for You (Plac pro vás)
• Innovative Company of the Zlín Region
• ZLINNOVATION

Products and services

• Business Incubator (Podnikatelský inkubátor) Physical business premises from 18 m² in Zlín city centre for startup companies, with preferential rental rates and comprehensive business support services including internet, security, cleaning, mail reception, and copier services. The only business incubator in Zlín city centre.
• Virtual Incubator Virtual office services for remote entrepreneurs, providing a registered headquarters address, mail collection, business support information, and access to the incubation program without physical office space.
• Training and Congress Rooms Conference and meeting facilities including a 100-seat presentation hall (4th floor), 22-seat meeting room (ground floor), and 14-seat video conference room, with cleaning, water, and electricity included and nearby parking available.
• Můj první milion (My First Million) acceleration program Acceleration program for budding entrepreneurs with innovative intentions, helping transform ideas into real businesses by providing exclusive contacts, investor introductions, business plan validation, and project visibility. Running since 2007 with 1,597+ participants, 1,402+ business plans developed, and 116+ companies founded across 19 cohorts.
• Financing of R&D and Innovation Consulting services helping businesses assess the novelty of plans, research similar solutions, and prepare R&D project applications. Offered in three packages: R&D Scout, R&D Admin, and R&D Partner.
• Risk Capital Services Matchmaking service connecting startups with investors, providing financial and knowledge support to companies with exponential growth potential in the Zlín Region.
• Business Academy at TBU Optional university course at Tomas Bata University aimed at increasing entrepreneurial skills across all faculties, hosted in cooperation with the university.
• VR Profi Lab Virtual reality laboratory of professions using 3D glasses for career guidance of primary and secondary school students, allowing them to virtually experience different professions. Running for 9 editions.
• Business Academy in Secondary Schools Course supporting business plan processing and business model validation for existing intentions of school pupils and students. Implemented in 6 secondary schools with 226 students and 156 workshops.
• Experiential Course of Creativity and Entrepreneurship Experiential pedagogy course for secondary schools developing creativity, initiative, and entrepreneurship as 21st century key competencies, delivered through trained teachers and lecturers.
• Catalog of Companies of Zlín Region (katalogfiremzk.cz) Interactive B2B tool for finding suppliers and customers in the Zlín Region, offering company profiles, export support, and business opportunities across regional specialisation domains.
• Innovative Company of Zlín Region Competition Biennial competition presenting and recognising the most successful innovative companies from the Zlín Region, organised in a two-year cycle since 2009.
• Created in Zlín Platform showcasing designers and creative professionals in the Zlín Region, promoting creative activity in product and industrial design as a regional visibility service.
• Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS3 ZK) Strategic document and implementation service strengthening regional competitiveness through supporting R&D, the innovation ecosystem, and collaboration between businesses, academia, and the public sector in the Zlín Region.
• Live in Zlín Interactive data-emotional model presenting individual territories of the Zlín Region for comparing microregion potential for living and business, supporting talent attraction and regional development decisions.
• Quality of Life in Zlín Region Virtual GIS-based platform showing public and private infrastructure for quality of life in the Zlín Region according to personal preferences, supporting regional competitiveness and talent attraction initiatives.
• Smart Akcelerátor Zlínského kraje (Smart Accelerator Zlín Region) Multi-phase project program implementing the Regional Innovation Strategy of the Zlín Region, with focus on strategic projects, RIS3 coordination, and strengthening the regional innovation environment. Operated across three phases (2016-2019, 2019-2022, 2023-2026) with combined budgets exceeding 88 million CZK.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,597 participants trained through acceleration programs, with 116+ companies successfully founded
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Fakulta managementu a ekonomiky (FaME) UTBminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Regional partner for Czech AI Olympics 2026 competition in Zlín Region.
• Fakulta aplikované informatiky (FAI) UTBminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2026Regional partner for Czech AI Olympics 2026 competition, providing technical evaluation expertise.
• CzechInvestminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Supports acceleration program Můj první milion. Provides regional investment and business development support.
• YnovateminorOthers · 1 April 2024TIC is a member of the Ynovate network of innovation agencies in Czech Republic, enabling knowledge sharing and best practices exchange.
• Transfera.czminorOthers · 1 April 2024TIC is a member of Transfera.cz association, supporting technology transfer and innovation collaboration.
• Společnost vědeckotechnických parků ČR (SVTP)minorOthers · 1 April 2024TIC is a member of Society of Science and Technology Parks of Czech Republic, enabling network with other incubators and innovation centers.
• EIT (European Institute of Innovation and Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023TIC participates in EIT HEI Initiative through DETECT! project funding. Project receives €349,000 funding for boosting entrepreneurship through deep tech. TIC provides educational courses for partner Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická.
• Vysoká škola chemicko-technologická v PrazecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Project lead for DETECT! EIT-funded project. TIC provides two educational courses for their students focusing on 21st century skills and business planning.
• Maker Institute, z.ú.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner in DETECT! EIT project consortium focused on deep tech entrepreneurship.
• Statutory City of ZlíncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Cooperation partner in operation of business incubator and VTP (Science and Technology Park). Building 23 located in former factory area managed in partnership with city.
• Zlínský kraj (Zlín Region)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Primary founding member and main financier of TIC. TIC implements regional innovation strategy (RIS3 ZK) on behalf of the region. Co-finances acceleration programs, Smart Accelerator projects, and operational costs. Partner in Smart Akcelerátor Zlínského kraje I, II, and III projects.
• Univerzita Tomáše Bati (Tomas Bata University)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2005Founding member alongside Zlín Region. Hosts Business Academy at TBU program. Students participate in Můj první milion acceleration. Faculty members serve as mentors. Cooperates on research and development projects.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Ynovate: Network of Czech innovation agencies that TIC belongs to; functions as an industry association. Comparable as an ecosystem peer — not a direct competitor but a strategic partner providing knowledge-sharing, benchmarking, and policy advocacy across Czech regional innovation centers.
• SVTP (Společnost vědeckotechnických parků ČR): Czech association of science and technology parks in which TIC holds membership. Comparable as the industry body for Czech STP/incubator operators, providing peer benchmarking, lobbying, and policy coordination; not a competitor but a strategic ecosystem participant.

Broad incumbents

• CzechInvest: Czech Republic's national investment promotion and business development agency. Comparable as the umbrella governmental innovation/business-support body that channels EU funds and supports accelerators (CzechInvest backs TIC's Můj první milion); operates at national scale rather than regional specialization.
• Techstars: Global accelerator network running cohort-based programs for startups. Comparable on the accelerator-program side (Můj první milion follows a similar cohort-based model); broader portfolio of verticals and larger geographic footprint, but shared accelerator DNA with program-fee and mentor-driven service delivery.
• EIT Digital: European innovation network and accelerator operating across multiple EU geographies with deep-tech focus. Comparable as a larger, EU-wide counterpart whose EIT HEI Initiative is the same funding program that TIC participates in via the DETECT! project; broader portfolio and geographic scope but overlapping deep-tech-entrepreneurship mission.
• Wayra (Telefónica Open Innovation): Telefónica's global corporate innovation hub running startup accelerator programs across multiple geographies. Comparable as a multi-pillar innovation hub combining incubation, acceleration, and corporate partnership services; operates at global scale under a corporate-backed funding model distinct from TIC's government model.

Direct peers

• Inovační centrum Ústeckého kraje: Regional innovation center for the Ústí nad Labem Region. Comparable peer operating the same Czech regional-innovation-agency model with EU/regional funding dependency, business incubation, and innovation consulting services targeting a single Czech region.
• Impact Hub: Global network of impact-focused innovation hubs, incubators, and accelerators. Comparable as a multi-pillar innovation hub offering incubation, acceleration programs, educational events, and community-building services; operates under a different funding model (membership/partner revenue) but serves a similar entrepreneur/SME audience.
• Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre (MSIC): Regional innovation center for the Moravian-Silesian Region offering incubation, technology transfer, and innovation consulting. Directly comparable as a parallel Czech regional innovation agency operating under the same RIS3 framework with similar EU funding dependency and service pillars.
• JIC (South Moravian Innovation Centre): Regional innovation center serving South Moravian Region (Brno area) with business incubation, acceleration, and university-linked innovation support. Most directly comparable peer — same Czech regional-innovation-agency model, similar RIS3 executor role, comparable incubator + accelerator + education service stack, and similar government/university founding structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TICZlin
• Facebookfacebook.com/TICZlin
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/technology-innovation-centre-ltd.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Technologické Inovační Centrum