The day takes place at ELI Beamlines, in Dolní Břežany, the center of Czech high-tech laser science and research, and is built around the theme “The Power of Innovation Ecosystems”.

The programme will feature selected innovation projects and initiatives from both the Czech Republic and the Netherlands, spanning business, applied research, deep technology, and the creative industries. Joining us will also be Dutch companies and organizations from the defence, dual-use, and smart manufacturing sectors, visiting the Czech Republic on an economic mission led by Michiel Sweers, Vice-Minister for Foreign Economic Relations.
Speakers and full agenda will be announced in mid-September.

Why you should attend:

• Best Practice Sharing: Discover how leading Dutch and Czech ecosystems foster groundbreaking research and commercialization.
• Cross-Border Synergy: Explore discussions on enhancing the complementarity ties between these two nations.
• High-Level Networking: Connect with business leaders and founders, researchers, policymakers, and creative leaders from both countries.
• Ecosystem Integration: Learn how to successfully bridge the gap between academic research and viable business models.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, 9 October 2026
• Time: 9:00 – 14:00, including networking lunch (registrations open at 8:30)
• Location: ELI Beamlines, Dolní Břežany 
• Language: English
• Cost: Free of charge

The event is held under the auspices of: Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, Czech Chamber of Commerce, and CzechBusiness.

Places are limited, so please ensure your participation early.
Please note that registration does not automatically guarantee entry; your participation is only confirmed once you receive an official confirmation email.

REGISTRATIONS: Thank you for your interest in the Czech-Dutch Innovation Day. Registration has now closed and the programme is fully booked. If you would still like to attend, please send a short message to pra-rsvp@minbuza.nl. We will see whether a place can be found, but we are unfortunately not able to guarantee one at this point.

Programme

8:30 – Registrations
9:00 – Opening Speeches
•    Mina Noor – Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Czech Republic
•    Karel Havlíček – First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic
•    Michiel Sweers – Vice-Minister for Foreign Economic Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands
•    Jana De Merlier – STAR Research & Innovation Cluster Dolní Břežany
9:30 – Innovation Stories
•    Jeroen Broekhuijsen – CTO Smart Industry, TNO – The Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
•    Roman Hvězda – Director of ELI Beamlines
•    Tomáš Mocek – Director of HiLase
•    Aniela Hoitink – Entrepreneur, Biomaterial Pioneer, AURITA
10:20 – Main Speeches
•    Alexandra Kala – CEO of Profimed and Ambassador of the 2nd Economic Transformation (2ET)
•    Stan Bentvelsen – Scientific Director at the Einstein Telescope EMR Project Office and Director at the Dutch National Institute for Subatomic Physics Nikhef
11:00 – Introduction of NL Business Delegation  (profiles available here: https://nlplatform.com/mission-czech-republic)
11:10 – Coffee Break
11:40 – Industrial Roundtables
•    Smart Manufacturing
•    Dual-use and Defence Technologies
12:40 – Lunch and Networking with NL Business Delegation
13:30 – Tour of the Facilities
14:00 – End of Event

Moderator: Michala Hergetová

If you have any questions about this event, please contact the Embassy in Prague at pra-rsvp@minbuza.nl.

We look forward to welcoming you to an inspiring day of collaboration and forward-thinking.

The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Prague & STAR Research & Innovation Cluster