The festival focused on current issues of digital transformation, cybersecurity and sustainable development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Czech Republic.
The event was opened by Daniel Všetečka, Acting Director General of the Digitalization and Innovation Section of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Malgorzata Nikowska, Head of Unit A4, DG CONNECT, European Commission. Both highlighted the importance of linking innovation, digitalization and security as key factors for the competitiveness of European companies and the future success of the European economy. They also emphasized the strategic documents and support activities of their respective institutions – the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade and the European Commission – to strengthen SMEs and the role of European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) in implementing these strategies.
The opening presentation on the current situation of Czech SMEs was delivered by Tereza Šamanová, Executive Director of CzechInno and Coordinator of the EDIH Cybersecurity Innovation Hub. She introduced the main themes of this year’s festival and analyzed how Czech companies are performing in terms of security and resilience in the digital environment.
The event’s main expert partner was České Radiokomunikace (Czech Radiocommunications) – a provider of unique television, radio and internet infrastructure and a consistent advocate for security and sustainability in Czech business.
Anna Tůmová, PR Manager and member of the company’s management board, commented:
“Security and sustainability are now the fundamental pillars of any modern business. At České Radiokomunikace, we see our role not only as a provider of infrastructure and digital services but also as a partner helping Czech companies become more resilient and responsible in the face of new technological and environmental challenges. The Smart Business Festival is a great platform for sharing experiences and connecting innovative projects that support the safe and sustainable growth of the Czech economy.”
The first panel, titled “Security and Resilience in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Where Are We and Where Are We Headed?”, focused on the challenges that the development of artificial intelligence brings to Czech enterprises. The discussion addressed new types of cyberattacks, data dependency, ethical aspects of AI use, and also the opportunities associated with the creation of so-called AI gigafactories in the Czech Republic.
Panelists included Daniel Všetečka (Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic), Luboš Fendrych (NUKIB – National Cyber and Information Security Agency), Leoš Boháč (Faculty of Electrical Engineering, CTU – project CZ QCI), Ondřej Beránek (CIIRC CTU – project AI Matters TEF), Martin Duda (VŠB–TU Ostrava, representing EDIH Ostrava, LUMI AI Factory and Czech AI Factory), and Jan Hrdlička (Institute of Physics, Czech Academy of Sciences – EDIH Brain4Industry).
The panel offered practical recommendations on how Czech companies can strengthen their resilience both online and offline – for example, by using the computational capacity, testing and consulting services of the participating projects – and how to use AI effectively, responsibly and safely, such as by carefully assessing which data are shared with AI tools. Participants agreed that, in the coming period, the path to safe AI use will lead mainly through awareness-building among SMEs and the integration of AI-related topics into their security and development strategies.
After a networking break, the second panel titled “Sustainability of Czech SMEs – Who, What and Where Can Strengthen or Threaten It?” followed. The discussion focused on the impact of digitalization on sustainability, new Czech and European legislation, energy aspects of digital solutions, and the balance between hardware and software within business strategies.
Panelists included Václav Stupka (CyberSecurity Hub, National Coordination Centre for Cybersecurity), Martina Le Gall Maláková (Industry Innovation Cluster SK), Andrea Faltusová (Regional Development Agency of the Liberec Region, representing EDIH NorthEast), Tomáš Pitner (ACDRC project – research and development center focused on semiconductors, supported by the Taiwanese government), Veronika Večeřová (Intemac Solutions, also presenting EDIH-DIGIMA), and Michal Leština (Misterine), representing Czech SMEs directly.
Both panels confirmed that the key to the long-term prosperity of Czech business lies in a combination of secure digitalization, open cooperation and a responsible approach to technology.
The festival concluded with a summary of outcomes followed by the Smart Business Exhibition, where participants could explore projects and initiatives supporting the development of security, resilience and sustainability in Czech enterprises.
Exhibitors included Czech EDIH projects such as Cybersecurity Innovation Hub, EDIH CTU, EDIH NorthEast, AI Matters TEF, EIT Manufacturing Representative Czechia, NUKIB and its National Coordination Centre for Cybersecurity, and Enterprise Europe Network Czech Republic. These stands provided opportunities for personal meetings with experts, experience sharing, and new partnerships.
Smart Business Festival CZ is an annual platform supporting smart, secure and sustainable business in the Czech Republic. The event is traditionally organized by CzechInno, in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, the European Commission, and partners from the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIH) network.
Smart Business Festival CZ 2025 was held with the support of the European Commission (Digital Europe Programme) and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade (National Recovery Plan), under the auspices of the National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NUKIB). The main expert partner of the event was České Radiokomunikace.
