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EUDIS Defence Hackathon in Brno: New Air Defence Ideas

The EUDIS Defence Hackathon in Brno brought together innovators, researchers, startups, defence professionals and technology partners for an intensive three-day programme focused on one of today’s most pressing security themes: Defending Airspace. Held from 26 to 28 March 2026, the Czech edition formed part of the wider European Commission initiative supported by DG DEFIS and funded by the European Defence Fund. In the Czech Republic, the event was organised locally by the University of Defence and JIC, combining defence expertise, research capacity and innovation support in one place.

A strong contribution came from Technology Centre Prague, which joined the hackathon as both a partner and mentor. Its involvement helped strengthen the event’s expert ecosystem, which connected participants not only with defence specialists and military representatives, but also with business and innovation mentors from across the partner network. The mentorship structure in Brno was built around three main perspectives: defence and military expertise, business and innovation support, and industrial know-how from partner companies and organisations.

What made the Brno edition particularly valuable was its clear thematic structure. Teams worked across three main challenge tracks. The first focused on a cost-effective drone interceptor, addressing shortages and high operational costs in counter-UAS defence. The second challenge targeted a next-generation drone detection system, with emphasis on faster detection, identification and neutralisation. The third track explored force protection against air threats, encouraging solutions that were mobile, rapidly deployable and scalable for the protection of troops and infrastructure.

Picture from Directorate-General for Defence Industry and Space

The Czech winner of the EUDIS Defence Hackathon Spring 2026 was MALNUS, a two-person startup team developing decentralised communications, indoor localisation, and a low-cost autonomous interceptor rocket optimized for countering fibre-optic FPV drones. Their solution addressed the drone interception challenge by proposing a jamming-immune kinetic counter-UAS architecture that is rapidly deployable, operationally resilient in electromagnetically contested environments, and manufacturable at scale through 3D-printed components. In technical terms, the concept targets a critical capability gap in cost-effective terminal interception of low-signature, wire-guided aerial threats under real operational constraints.

The hackathon was not limited to presentations and theory. Organisers designed it as a hands-on prototyping environment, giving participants access to multirotors, fixed-wing aircraft, acoustic measurement systems, cameras, embedded platforms, PCB manufacturing, additive manufacturing tools and measurement systems. According to the mentor materials, teams could also benefit from demonstrations involving EO/IR imaging, passive radar systems, and drone detection and jamming capabilities, while selected flight testing was planned both on site in Brno and at testing grounds in Moravské Budějovice for larger drones. This practical setup made the event especially attractive for teams working on real technical validation rather than only conceptual pitches.

Another important strength of the Brno hackathon was the breadth of organisations involved. The strategic partner was Czechoslovak Group (CSG), while the broader partner ecosystem included public institutions, defence actors, clusters, technology companies and innovation organisations. Among the listed additional partners were the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, ERA, Honeywell International, Saab Technologies, Dronetag, U&C UAS, VZLU Aerospace, Czech Aerospace Cluster, Brno Space Cluster, Defence Hub CzechInvest, and Technology Centre Prague, among others. This broad coalition reinforced the practical and cross-sector nature of the event.

The competition was also structured around clearly defined evaluation criteria, which give useful insight into what the organisers and jury considered most valuable. Progress carried the highest weight at 30 points, rewarding teams for how far they advanced their idea, solution or prototype during the hackathon and how convincingly they outlined future development. Relevance and Innovativeness were weighted at 25 points each, highlighting the importance of fit with the hackathon theme and the originality and value of the proposed solution for defence end-users. The final 20 points were assigned to Team quality, including defence, technical and business expertise, thematic understanding, commitment and presentation skills. These criteria show that the event valued not only bold ideas, but also execution, applicability and multidisciplinary team strength.

The Czech edition also offered concrete incentives. National prizes were set at €5,000 for first place, €3,000 for second place, and €2,000 for third place. Beyond the prize money, participants were offered access to online expert workshops, continued mentoring from industry and defence experts, and an onsite bootcamp with mentors, investors and key players from the European defence ecosystem. This extended support underlined that the hackathon was designed not merely as a competition, but as a launchpad for further development.

Set in Brno, a city presented by the organisers as a Central European hub of technology, research and startups, the hackathon benefited from a venue at the University of Defence that combined collaborative space with access to mechanical and electronics labs. This helped position the Czech round as more than just another innovation event: it became a place where defence needs, engineering talent, entrepreneurial thinking and strategic mentoring could meet under one roof.

With Technology Centre Prague contributing as both partner and mentor, the Brno edition demonstrated how valuable cross-sector cooperation is in defence innovation. By combining challenge-driven teamwork, real prototyping conditions, expert mentoring and strong institutional backing, the EUDIS Defence Hackathon in Brno showed how new ideas in air defence can move faster from concept toward practical application.

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Hands-on Workshop on ESA Star: Practical Troubleshooting and Q&A

ESA Technology Broker Czechia at the Technology Centre Prague invites Czech companies to join a short online workshop focused on ESA Star — the European Space Agency’s portal for company registration and access to selected ESA services and opportunities. The online workshop will take place on 22 April, 10:00–10:30, and will be held in Czech only. Registration is availabe under this form.

The Hands-on Workshop on ESA Star: Practical Troubleshooting and Q&A, will provide a practical introduction to esa-star Light, explain the most common issues users face, and offer clear guidance on how to solve them. Participants will learn how to navigate the system, what to check in typical situations, where to click, and how to proceed when something does not work as expected. There will also be time for open questions and practical tips based on real user experience.

The workshop will also explain the role of Light Registration within the broader ESA supplier framework. In ESA terms, Light Registration is the entry-level registration that gives a company access to esa-star services up to the proposal submission stage. For later contractual steps, Full Registration is required. This distinction is often misunderstood, so the training will address it directly and in context.

A substantial part of the session will be dedicated to troubleshooting. Participants will see typical cases related to registration, supplier access, incomplete profiles, and uncertainty about next steps in the system. The aim is simple: to make the platform easier to use by showing where to look, what to verify, and how to proceed systematically when something does not work.

There will also be time for questions from participants. Companies that are considering cooperation with ESA should find the session useful as a practical first orientation and as a way to avoid common mistakes early in the process.

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Technical Insights into AMPER 2026 – where Industrial Capability Meets Space Potential

AMPER 17-19.3.2026 in Brno was an industrial event in the full sense of the word: automation, control systems, cable assemblies, wireless communication, optical components, testing equipment, special-purpose machinery, and production know-how. For us at ESA Technology Broker Czechia, Technology Centre Prague, that matters more than any generic innovation narrative, because most technologies with real transfer potential into space do not start life inside a classic aerospace company. They start in factories, test labs, embedded systems teams, and specialised manufacturing environments.

Our role as ESA Technology Brokers is not just to identify technical capabilities that could survive the jump into a more demanding application domain — or, in the opposite direction, to identify where space-driven engineering can create value in terrestrial industry. In practice, that means looking beyond the exhibitor’s market label and focusing instead on the engineering substance: sensing, control architecture, reliability, materials behaviour, production tolerances, modularity, embedded integration, testability, and long-term operational stability.

This became very clear in conversations with Radek Balušek, representatives of ELAP, Josef Habart from OTAVA, Jan Rott and Leo Doseděl from the Union of Czech and Moravian Production Cooperatives, Helena Krutská from ECOGLASS, and Jan Vašta from MICRORISC. They pointed to several concrete technical areas that matter if you are thinking seriously about future space and dual-use applications: industrial automation, cable harnessing, coil production, optical design, precision glass forming, wireless mesh communication, embedded electronics, and industrial inspection systems.

Take ELAP. What they describe is not generic “automation” in the trade-fair sense, but a stack of capabilities that is technically interesting: control systems for machines and process units, custom production lines, inspection and testing equipment for quality assurance and dimensional stability verification, robotic and handling workstations, and special-purpose machines built to customer requirements. They also mention temperature-control systems, monitoring of operating-fluid consumption, and energy-saving process equipment. From a broker’s perspective, this is exactly the sort of portfolio that deserves a closer look. Not because it is already space-qualified, obviously, but because the engineering logic is relevant: closed-loop control, repeatable handling, special-purpose automation, process monitoring, and test systems are all areas where terrestrial know-how can sometimes be adapted into high-reliability environments.

OTAVA is interesting for a different reason. On paper, cable harnesses, coils, electromechanical parts and Bowden cables may sound less spectacular than AI or optics. In practice, this is where a lot of engineering credibility lives. OTAVA reports long-term manufacturing of cable assemblies, coils, electrical components and control cables, with annual coil output exceeding 700,000 units, and specifically highlighted new developments in cable harnesses and Bowden systems for electrical engineering, automotive and machinery applications. Harnessing, winding, electromechanical integration and repeatable small-part manufacturing are foundational capabilities. In aerospace and space systems, interconnection architecture, routing discipline, manufacturing repeatability and failure prevention are never “secondary”; they are mission-critical.

MICRORISC, represented by Jan Vašta, is technically one of the clearest examples of transfer-ready know-how. The company’s profile is explicit: wireless networks, R&D, custom electronics, and embedded integration built around the IQRF wireless mesh technology. MICRORISC describes IQRF as a complete technology stack for adding wireless connectivity and optionally internet connectivity to electronic products, with applications in smart lighting, smart cities, building and industrial automation, energy, logistics, monitoring and healthcare. Beyond that, the company also develops custom control panels, control units, specialised sensors, medical tools and embedded systems. This is important because the real asset here is not just one protocol or one product. It is competence in low-power wireless communication, networked embedded electronics, application-specific hardware design, and the integration of communication into constrained systems, all highly relevant when looking at distributed sensing, remote monitoring, infrastructure autonomy or intelligent subsystem integration.

The photo was taken during the last event.

ECOGLASS, with Helena Krutská, is a very different but equally relevant case. Here the core is precision moulded glass optics, especially for lighting applications. Publicly available descriptions point to aspherical lenses, TIR collimators, cavity lenses, Fresnel lenses, prisms, optics for automotive and airfield lighting, and optical components for harsh environments, combined with optical design, photometric measurement, prototyping and serial production. That combination matters. Designing optical performance is one thing; designing optical performance that is manufacturable, repeatable and economically scalable is another. ECOGLASS explicitly positions itself around that interface between optical design and manufacturability. From our point of view, this is exactly the sort of capability space projects often need but do not always develop in-house: robust optical parts with controlled geometry, known production behaviour, and an engineering team that understands both function and process.

The meetings with Jan Rott and Leo Doseděl from SČMVD added another important layer. The Union itself is not a technology developer in the narrow sense; it is an industrial structure that represents a broad base of Czech manufacturing cooperatives. But that is exactly why it matters. SČMVD represents around 180 member cooperatives across sectors including machinery, automated workstations, automotive, plastics and related industrial production. In other words, it is a map of latent capability. For a technology broker, that is strategically important, because space transfer often starts not with a finished “space company” but with a network of smaller manufacturers and specialised engineering firms that already know how to build difficult things well.

That is also why the academic side mattered so much in Brno. If AMPER showed the industrial base, then the Czech university ecosystem showed where deeper technical specialisation is moving. VŠB-TUO is a strong example: electronics, sensing, AI and human-spaceflight-related research combined in a way that is not theoretical. Their publicly described work includes nanorobot behaviour in microgravity and astronaut stress analysis using voice and sensor data. That is not “space branding”; it is a real combination of sensor fusion, signal analysis, AI-assisted evaluation and mission-relevant physiology.

Seen together, this is what AMPER 2026 really showed us. Czechia has a broad technical base that is already working on many of the right engineering problems: machine control, process automation, test equipment, optical design, embedded communication, cable systems, sensors, data acquisition, harsh-environment components, and specialised manufacturing. The missing step is often not invention. It is translation. Translation from one sector’s requirements into another sector’s application logic.

That translation is our job.

As ESA Technology Broker Czechia, we sit between two engineering cultures. One talks about supply chains, manufacturability and service life. The other talks about qualification, TRL, mission assurance, environmental resistance and system constraints. A good broker has to understand both languages well enough to know when a company’s technology is merely interesting — and when it is actually transferable. AMPER was valuable because it gave us real technical signals, not just promotional ones. It let us see where Czech industrial capability is already mature, where it is adaptable, and where a first serious conversation about space relevance can begin.

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Czech and Austrian Upstream Space Companies Meet in Vienna for 40 Matchmaking Sessions and New Partnership Opportunities

On 18 March 2026, Vienna hosted the 1st Czech–Austrian Upstream Matchmaking Day, a focused international event created to bring together Czech and Austrian upstream space companies with one clear objective: to connect decision-makers, showcase upstream products ready for scale-up, and create the foundations for future projects. The event was an initiative of ESA Phi-Lab Austria, ESA Technology Brokers Austria (Brimatech) and ESA Technology Broker Czechia (Technology Centre Prague).

Held at ESA Phi-Lab Austria in Vienna Airport’s Office Park, the event was tailored to CEOs, decision-makers from Austrian and Czech upstream technology companies. The format was deliberately practical: short company pitches were followed by structured matchmaking sessions, allowing participants to present their core technical strengths, highlight the products or technologies they are ready to scale up, and identify the kind of partner they are seeking.

The day delivered exactly that. According to the matchmaking table, a total of 40 bilateral meetings took place during the event. That number alone reflects the high level of interest on both sides, but more importantly, it points to something bigger: a strong appetite for Czech–Austrian collaboration in upstream space technologies. Discussions were open, constructive and business-oriented, with participants actively exploring where their expertise, products and ambitions could align.

What made the event particularly valuable was its practical focus. This was not a general networking gathering, but a carefully structured opportunity for companies to present their strengths, explain which technologies they want to scale up, and clarify what type of partner or collaboration they are seeking. According to the official agenda, the company pitch session was specifically designed around core technical strengths, key products or technologies for scale-up, and the kinds of partnerships companies hoped to build.

That forward-looking perspective is especially important in light of the current ESA Phi-Lab Austria Open Call for Proposals. With funding available for scaling up upstream product projects, the Vienna matchmaking day came at exactly the right moment. For Czech companies, the discussions started during the event may now develop into concrete cooperation pathways, whether through joint applications with Austrian partners or through other forms of cross-border collaboration that create strong value for Austria.

In that sense, the event was more than a successful networking day. It was a starting point for future Czech–Austrian partnerships in the European space sector. It created space for serious conversations, helped companies identify complementary strengths and provided a timely framework for follow-up around upcoming funding and project opportunities.

The organisers now hope that the momentum generated in Vienna will continue in the weeks ahead. Companies are encouraged to stay in touch, continue the conversations initiated during the matchmaking sessions and explore how their first meetings can evolve into long-term cooperation, joint development activities and strong Czech–Austrian consortia.

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Up to €75,000 from ESA: Join the ESA Spark Funding Info Day (Online, 3 March)

This invitation is for Czech high-tech companies and universities—especially CEOs, CTOs, R&D managers, and technical decision-makers—who develop their own technologies and are considering their next technical and commercial steps. You are warmly invited to an online Information Day for ESA Spark Funding.

The programme offers up to €75,000 to support a new or improved product, know-how, or service based on space technologies or transfer of space technologies into terrestrial applications. Registration details are here.

Date & time: 3 March 2026, 10:00 (online) in Czech

During this one-hour session, we will focus only on topics relevant for organisations that are seriously considering submitting a proposal:

  • whether your technology is eligible (technically and formally),
  • how to correctly define a space technology transfer,
  • how to structure a project so it is technically strong, realistic, and clearly evaluable by ESA.

We will also walk through practical examples where ESA Spark Funding is most relevant, including:

  • advanced materials and coatings,
  • thermal management,
  • sensors and measurement systems,
  • reliable electronics, validation, and testing.

Goal of the session: after one hour, you should clearly understand whether Spark Funding fits your organisation, how to define a strong technical use case, and which common proposal pitfalls to avoid.

There will also be time for technical questions. Q&A capacity is limited, so early registration is recommended.

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Connecting Czech Innovation to ESA Harmonisation

ESA Technology Broker Czechia from Technology Centre Prague participated in the European Space Technology Harmonisation 2026 – Cycle 2 Kick-Off event on 5 February 2026. The kick-off introduced the Cycle 2 technology areas where ESA is gathering input and identifying capabilities across the European ecosystem through the Technology Harmonisation Dossiers (THDs) process—including contributions from companies outside the traditional space sector.

The Cycle 2 topics covered:

  • On-Board Computers, Data Handling Systems and Microelectronics
  • Radiation Environment and Effects
  • Ground Station Technology
  • Avionics Embedded Systems
  • On-Board Software

As ESA Technology Broker Czechia, our role is to connect non-space companies with these ESA needs—helping them engage in the harmonisation process and contribute relevant solutions, know-how, and innovations to the THDs.

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Apply for ESA Spark Funding

Do you want to take your innovative projects to the next level?

We invite Czech companies to participate in the ESA Spark Funding technology transfer support program.

Main benefits of the program:

  • Leverage space technologies: Incorporate advanced space technologies such as materials, communication systems, sensors, and more into innovative products in your industry.
  • Secure co-funding of €75,000 for your project.
  • Speed up your project: The funding can cover costs for prototyping or expenses for market entry.
  • Support for small and medium-sized enterprises and startups: The ESA Spark Funding program is tailored for technology-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises and startups.
  • Quick completion: The program is focused on projects lasting 6 to 12 months.

Important information:

  • Application deadline: March 20th, 2026, at 23:59 CEST.
  • How to apply: Submit your filled application form via email to SparkFunding@tc.cz.
  • We will select one project; the one with the highest score wins.
  • Frequently Asked Questions and more information are here.

Don’t miss this opportunity to leverage space technologies and innovate your business!

Questions? Concerns? Contact us on SparkFunding@tc.cz.

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Last call: 1–2 seats left for Czech–Austrian Upstream Matchmaking

Only 1–2 slots still available

This in-person matchmaking event is for CEOs and senior decision-makers of Czech upstream space-tech companies who want to meet Austrian partners. Participants should come with one product they aim to scale and explore joint project ideas with an Austrian partner, with the potential to apply together for a future ESA Phi-Lab Austria call.

We currently have only 1–2 remaining spots for Czech companies. Registration is possible by contacting Anna Ruščák, ESA Technology Broker Czechia, at ruscak@tc.cz.

Why participate?

This in-person matchmaking event is designed for companies that want to move beyond networking and into real collaboration. The goal is to:

  • Connect Czech and Austrian upstream companies at CEO and decision-maker level
  • Enable partners to get to know each other in depth
  • Support the joint preparation of a concrete project, with the ambition to scale one specific product or technology
  • Lay the foundation for future consortia applying to upcoming ESA Phi-Lab Austria calls.

What to expect

  • 1 full day of focused interaction
  • 10 company pitches from selected upstream players
  • Unlimited networking opportunities with carefully matched partners
  • Direct access to ESA Phi-Lab Austria, Brimatech, and Technology Centre Prague

The event is intentionally limited in size to ensure high-quality discussions, meaningful partner matching, and sufficient time to explore joint project ideas with real market and scaling potential.

Event details

Czech–Austrian Upstream Matchmaking Day 2026
Connecting Czech and Austrian upstream companies, fostering concrete collaboration

📅 18 March 2026, 9:30-15:30
📍 ESA Phi-Lab Austria, Office Park 2, 1300 Vienna Airport, Austria

Who should register?

  • CEOs / top decision-makers of upstream space technology companies
  • Companies with a clear product or technology ready for further development or scaling
  • Teams motivated to co-develop a joint project with Austrian partners and explore ESA-related opportunities

Austrian companies – planned participants

In addition to current Phi-Lab “Philabees,” the following Austrian upstream entities are expected to participate:

  • RHP Technology – advanced materials, thermal and insulation solutions
  • AAC (Aerospace & Advanced Composites) – material development, testing, and ESA qualification
  • FOTEC – applied R&D, prototyping, testing, and manufacturing technologies
  • Space-Lock – space mechanisms and release systems
  • Testfuchs – aerospace and space testing and validation systems
  • Beyond Gravity – launch vehicle and satellite structural components
  • TTTech – avionics, deterministic networking, and safety-critical systems
  • LCM (Linz Center of Mechatronics) – mechatronic R&D and system design
  • PROFACTOR – manufacturing technologies and automation
  • Silicon Alps Cluster – electronics, microelectronics, and embedded systems ecosystem

These organizations have expressed interest in technology, manufacturing, and R&D cooperation with Czech partners.

Expected contribution from participants

Participation requires active involvement:

  • A 5–7 minute pitch (in English) covering:
    • core technical competencies of the company,
    • one product or technology proposed for further development or scaling,
    • the type of partner or cooperation sought.

The pitch is mandatory and will be used to support structured matchmaking.

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How to prep for an ESA Spark Funding defense?

On 20 January, shortlisted applicants will step into the ESA Spark Funding defence: a fast, focused pitch of 10 minutes, followed by 5 minutes of Q&A. By the time you enter the room (or join online), the evaluation board will already have read your proposal—so the defence isn’t a repeat of every detail. It’s your chance to re-cap the essence with confidence and make the panel feel that your project is real, feasible, and commercially relevant.

Your jury will typically include representatives from ESA Technology Broker Czechia, local authorities from the Ministry of Transportation, and ESA’s Commercialisation team—and may also include an industry expert. This mix matters: you’re not only speaking to technical evaluators, but also to people who will challenge your market logic, customer credibility, and delivery readiness.

In those 10 minutes, your mission is crystal clear: explain what problem you’re solving, present your solution, and make the technology transfer unmistakable. ESA Spark is about transfer that creates value—either space → terrestrial (a space-developed product, component, software, hardware, or know-how adapted for a new Earth application) or terrestrial → space (a terrestrial technology adapted for space use with clear commercial potential). If the panel has even a small doubt about what exactly is being transferred and why it matters, you’ll spend your Q&A trying to rescue clarity instead of strengthening confidence.

And commercial proof is not optional. Be ready to show who your customers are, what conversations you’ve already had, and why the market will pay attention. Letters of Interest carry weight—attach them wherever possible (even email exchanges count when done professionally). Your customer involvement should also be visible in your plan: referenced in your work packages and clearly reflected in your TEB (Technical/Technology Evaluation) story.

The Q&A will almost certainly probe: team competence (can you genuinely deliver, with the skills you claim?), technology transfer clarity (any ambiguity will be tested), work packages and timing (is the plan realistic?), budget (is it credible?), and your competitive landscape (do you understand who else is out there and why you still win?). The best defences feel calm because the team has rehearsed, aligned on roles, and can answer without improvising or overpromising.

A practical note: the defence is usually hybrid. Joining online won’t directly affect scoring, but attending in person can signal commitment. If your project includes a technology provider partner, bring them—especially if they hold key know-how or credibility. Finally, join/arrive at least 5 minutes early, test your setup, and treat the defence like what it is: a short, high-impact moment to prove your project is ready to move from proposal to reality. Results are typically communicated within two weeks (pass, pass with conditions, or fail)—so it’s worth preparing as if every minute on the day counts.

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Invitation to webinar about ESA Spark Funding (€ 75.000)

Have a concrete idea for a technology transfer?

ESA Technology Broker Czechia invite you to a focused, hands-on online session about ESA Spark Funding on 1 December 2025, 10:00–11:00. This webinar is designed for teams that already know what they want to transfer—whether it’s space → non-space (spin-off) or non-space → space (spin-in)—and now need to move from idea to action. Registration is here.

Who should join?

SMEs, corporates, startups, and R&D teams in Czech Republic with a concrete concept and the motivation to validate it commercially. We invite legal entity registered in the Czech Republic (for example a company, association, or other organisation with a valid IČO).

💡 What you’ll gain (all very practical)

  • A clear understanding of what counts as a technology transfer use-case
  • How ESA Spark Funding really works in practice
  • How the ESA Technology Brokers can support you: scouting, partners, next steps
  • Tips for writing a strong proposal
  • How to prepare for your proposal defence
  • Short real-world examples + live Q&A.