Velvet Innovation

Working with the future involves dealing with uncertainty, blind angles, and cognitive biases, while also taking calculated risks and monitoring key vectors of change. Futurist Daria Krivonos will discuss the future of a sustainable society, considering planetary boundaries and the balance between work, life, health, and purpose for citizens in the 21st century. Her lecture will highlight how a region with a strong heritage and recent history can innovate and become a part of the European sustainability agenda.

Every year, young entrepreneurs from Brno University of Technology, Masaryk University, and Mendel University compete for funding and mentorship for their start-up projects. Show your support for local emerging innovators on a path to make their mark on the world.  

Moderated by Markéta Filipenská (Startup specialist, JIC)

Innovation Leaders

Meet the movers and shakers of #brnoregion. A line-up of short pitches will introduce the most exciting recent innovation initiatives from South Moravia that came to fruition over the past year.  

Learn from real-world examples and gain actionable takeaways to enhance your business partnerships. Draw inspiration from a case study of successful cooperation between a local start-up and an international corporation. Representatives of start-ups and corporates will share insights and strategies for successful collaboration, including navigating cultural differences, managing expectations, and fostering innovation. 

YSoft and CTP have both successfully integrated ESG principles into their business model. We will examine how to leverage sustainability and social impact to drive growth, enhance customer loyalty, and create value for stakeholders. Learn from companies that have used ESG as an opportunity for their business and learn from their experiences and best practices. Join us as we explore the growing importance of ESG in the business world and discover how it can be a powerful driver of innovation, competitiveness, and impact.

Hosted by Petr Holík (Facts on Climate Change)

Join investors in exploring the future of the angel and venture capital scene, considering current events and the changing landscape of start-up investing. Let’s examine how the period of economic uncertainty and geopolitical factors impacted valuations and investment willingness. We will discuss how the criteria for selecting start-ups for investment are evolving, consider the rise of impact investment as the new norm, and how it's reshaping how investors evaluate opportunities and measure success. 

Hosted by Miloš Sochor (Managing partner, Y Soft Ventures)

Join us for an insightful discussion on the future of mobility, exploring the policies on the national and EU levels versus the business and everyday reality. We'll examine the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of transportation, including modes of transportation such as electric vehicles, autonomous driving, and mobility-as-a-service, as well as new technologies such as hydrogen propulsion. We will hear from industry leaders and political representatives and explore how they navigate the complex and ever-changing mobility landscape.  

The scale-up superstars of 2022 will let you on their business secrets. In the informal format of a CEO-to-CEO chat, we will get to know the companies that took business media by storm last year and learn what constituted their success, who helped them on the way and their attitudes toward sustainability.

Find the match made in heaven for your start-up solution. This speed networking session will allow you to meet with the investor or corporate business partner of your choice. Start-ups can register to join the session in the month leading to the event. 

A showcase of the most promising start-up companies from #brnoregion with a great ambition to grow. Vote for your favorite start-ups and remember their names; you will hear about them in the future! 

Moderated by Libor Hoření (entrepreneur, JIC mentor)

Will we finally work less but smarter? Join us in a discussion exploring the impact of automation and digitalization, the reality of work for the next generation, and the skill set of the future. We will unpack how employees are coping with the current situation in the workplace and what the future holds for new recruits. 

Get insights from companies that have earned their success with sustainability at the core of their business. We will examine sustainable business models in two case studies and discuss the specifics with industry experts. We will discuss featured projects' origins, challenges, how they are doing in the market today, and where they see opportunities in the future. 

Hosted by Michal Veselý (CMO JIC & Chairman of the Board, A Change for the Better)