STEM Institute for Empirical Research

What STEM Institute for Empirical Research does

STEM Institute for Empirical Research (STEM ústav empirických výzkumů, z.ú.) is a Czech non-profit analytical institute founded in 1990 and headquartered in Prague (Španělská 10, Praha 2, Vinohrady). It conducts empirical social science research focused on Czech public opinion, societal trends, and public policy impact evaluation. The institute employs approximately 21 people, organized into a director-led leadership team (covering research, development and innovation, and strategic communication) supported by specialized analysts, project managers, communication specialists, and assistants.

STEM's core offering is mixed-methods research combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews. Its principal differentiators are three proprietary capability tracks: longitudinal public opinion tracking since 1990 (providing 35+ years of comparable Czech societal data), policy impact assessment (evaluating Czech and EU legislative changes, notably in employment, education, and integration), and mixed-methods research design. Outputs are delivered as published research reports, analytical books, podcasts ("Zákulisí sociologie"), and project deliverables — not as software products.

Revenue is generated entirely through commissioned research contracts rather than software or subscription sales. The three revenue streams are: (1) government and public-sector contracts from Czech ministries (MŠMT, MPSV) and EU-funded research programs (SIGMA TA ČR, AMIF, Erasmus+); (2) exclusive media research partnerships (notably Czech Radio's "Rozděleni Evropou" series); and (3) corporate research partnerships (notably KPMG Česká republika for household financial tracking). Go-to-market is sales-led through competitive bidding on government tenders and direct partnerships. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated on a project-by-project basis.

Name

STEM Institute for Empirical Research

Legal name

STEM Ústav empirických výzkumů, z.ú.

Website

https://stem.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

STEM Institute for Empirical Research is a Czech non-profit empirical research institute founded in 1990 and based in Prague, tracking public opinion, policy impact, and societal trends for government ministries, EU funders, media, and corporate clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social and Public Opinion Research

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (54191), Marketing Research and Public Opinion Polling (541910)

akta.pro primary industry

Syndicated Market Research (Panels, Omnibus, Tracker Studies) (MPAAALAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)

Keywords

• Public opinion research
• Policy impact assessment
• Social research services
• Opinion polling
• Market research consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Prague

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government and Public Sector Research Contracts: STEM generates revenue through commissioned research projects from Czech government ministries (MŠMT, MPSV), EU-funded research programs, and public administration bodies. These are typically fixed-term projects with specific deliverables.
2. Media Partnership Research: Exclusive research studies produced for media partners such as Český rozhlas (Czech Radio), often resulting in published reports and podcast content.
3. Corporate Research Partnerships: Collaborative research with private sector companies like KPMG for tracking economic indicators affecting Czech households.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

STEM Institute for Empirical Research is a Czech non-profit analytical institute that conducts commissioned empirical social research, including public opinion tracking, policy impact evaluation, and longitudinal societal studies. It delivers research outputs (reports, publications, podcasts) for the Czech government, EU programs, media organizations, and select corporate clients, combining quantitative survey research with qualitative analytical methods.

Product overview

STEM Institute for Empirical Research (Ústav empirických výzkumů - STEM) operates as a non-profit public opinion and social research organization rather than a software product company. The organization conducts empirical research on Czech society, tracking trends, attitudes, and public sentiment since 1990. Their 'offerings' consist of research projects, analytical publications, and surveys covering topics such as public opinion, labor market issues, European Union attitudes, climate change, and social cohesion. Key outputs include publications (books, studies, reports), podcasts discussing research findings, and project outcomes disseminated through their website. Research projects mentioned include studies on employment of people with disabilities, Czech society divisions, climate transformation, Roma school segregation, and household financial situations. The organization collaborates with partners such as TREXIMA, PAQ Research, and government bodies (MPSV, MŠMT) on specific research initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Commissioned Empirical Public Opinion Research Project-based empirical research service combining quantitative surveys and qualitative methods to track Czech public opinion, societal trends, attitudes, and moods. Delivered to government ministries, EU programs, media organizations, and corporate clients.
• Policy Impact Assessment Services Empirical evaluation of legislative changes and policy interventions, with specialized focus on employment, education, and integration policies. Includes dedicated project on employment of people with disabilities (OZP) co-financed by SIGMA TA ČR program.
• Exclusive Media Research Studies Exclusive research studies produced for media partners such as Český rozhlas (Czech Radio), including the 'Rozděleni Evropou' (Divided by Europe) study on EU attitudes and societal division, distributed through podcast and dedicated study channels.
• Corporate Sector Tracking Research Long-term tracking research delivered through corporate partnerships, exemplified by the collaboration with KPMG Česká republika on the financial situation of Czech households. Provides longitudinal economic indicator data for private sector clients.
• EU-Funded Research Projects Research projects funded through EU programs including SIGMA TA ČR, AMIF, and Erasmus+, covering employment, integration, and social policy research themes. STEM serves as research partner and application guarantor for these multi-stakeholder programs.
• Sociological Research Podcast (Zákulisí sociologie) Podcast series 'Zákulisí sociologie' discussing STEM's sociological research findings and societal trends, distributed on Spotify and YouRadio platforms. Serves as a research dissemination channel and content engagement tool.

Quantifiable outcome

• Research outputs cited by Czech ministries for policy decisions
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TREXIMAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner on the OZP (people with disabilities) labor market research project. TREXIMA provides industry expertise alongside STEM's research capabilities for comprehensive policy analysis.
• PAQ ResearchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for Roma student segregation study conducted for MŠMT. Combined qualitative and quantitative methodology expertise for comprehensive educational policy research.
• KPMG Česká republikacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnership for tracking financial situation of Czech households. KPMG provides corporate resources while STEM contributes research methodology and Czech market expertise.
• MŠMT (Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerClient and application guarantor for research on Roma segregation in Czech special schools. Ministry provides policy context and application guidance for research design.
• MPSV (Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerApplication guarantor for employment policy research projects. Ministry provides policy framework and practical application context for STEM's empirical research.
• Friedrich-Ebert-StiftungminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGerman political foundation supporting research and publication on Czech society, including book 'Various Narratives About One Society'. Provides funding and international perspective.
• Masarykova demokratická akademie (Masaryk Democratic Academy)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCzech think tank partner supporting research publications and democratic policy discourse.

Scale indicators2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• STEM/MARK: Czech research agency specializing in marketing and advertising effectiveness research. Despite the similar name, it is a separate firm; comparable in providing survey-based research services to Czech corporate and media clients.
• MEDIAN: Major Czech market and public opinion research agency conducting surveys, media research, and election polling. Comparable to STEM in offering quantitative survey research, public opinion tracking, and mixed-methods studies for Czech government and corporate clients.
• Centrum pro výzkum veřejného mínění (CVVM): Public opinion research center at the Czech Academy of Sciences; conducts regular, recurring opinion polls and publishes the longest-running Czech public opinion time series. Most direct competitor to STEM's longitudinal tracking and policy-relevant survey research.
• PAQ Research: Czech social research organization focused on education and social policy. Already an active research partner to STEM (Roma segregation study for MŠMT); comparable as a Czech non-profit/independent social research outfit bidding on similar ministry contracts.

Others

• European Social Survey (ESS): Academically driven cross-national survey infrastructure covering social attitudes across Europe. Comparable as a longitudinal, social-science research data source that complements or substitutes for some of STEM's tracking capabilities at the European level.

Regional players

• GLOBSEC: Central European think tank producing policy research on security, democracy, and resilience, with a Prague presence. Comparable as a regional think tank publishing research on European integration and democratic governance that competes for similar EU and foundation funding pools.

Broad incumbents

• Ipsos Czech Republic: Local affiliate of global market and opinion research group Ipsos. Competes for the same Czech government, media, and corporate research tenders as STEM, but with broader multinational methodology, larger panel infrastructure, and cross-country comparability.
• Nielsen Admosphere Czech Republic: Czech arm of Nielsen offering media and consumer research, including audience measurement and tracking studies. Comparable in longitudinal tracker methodologies and media-partner-driven research, though broader in commercial focus than STEM's policy remit.
• Kantar Czech Republic (formerly TNS Aisa): Czech subsidiary of Kantar offering syndicated and custom research across consumer, media, and public sector clients. Overlaps with STEM on public opinion, brand tracking, and government-commissioned studies, but as part of a much wider portfolio.

Emerging players

• Behavio Labs: Czech research firm applying behavioral science and digital methodologies to market and opinion research. Comparable in serving Czech clients with research outputs, but differentiates through behavioral experiments and online methodologies versus STEM's traditional survey-based approach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stemcz
• Xtwitter.com/stem_cz
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stemustav

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about STEM Institute for Empirical Research