“We are launching a new era of presenting the Czech Republic. We don’t want to be a country of the past, but of the future. We will present ourselves as a country of innovation, startups, universities, and research. All in line with the new Economic Strategy. And where else to start but in the U.S.,” says First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček, adding: “We are preparing the first-ever declaration of cooperation between the Czech Republic and a U.S. state—and that state will be Texas. For me, this is a tool to help Czech businesses open the door to one of the most dynamic markets in the U.S. Texas is a technological and industrial powerhouse. If we want Czech companies to grow globally, we must be where new opportunities arise.”

“The United States is one of the most important global partners for Czech companies and innovators. The mission led by Minister Havlíček is an opportunity to showcase Czech technologies, startups, and research to American investors, companies, and institutions. It is also highly symbolic that the main part of the program will take place in Austin during the SXSW festival, where the Czech Republic will once again open the Czech House and create a space for the Czech and American innovation ecosystems to meet. This is yet another high-level visit from the Czech Republic to the U.S. in a short period of time. “We believe this mission will yield new contacts, projects, and long-term partnerships,” says Miloslav Stašek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States.

Working meetings with representatives of the U.S. administration are scheduled

Talks are set to take place in Washington at the level of senior members of the U.S. government and administration, where economic, security, and energy issues—including artificial intelligence and LNG—will be discussed. Minister Havlíček and members of the delegation are also scheduled to meet with representatives of Congress and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, key U.S. LNG suppliers, and other investors. An event will also be held at the Czech Embassy in Washington. The mission follows up on recent talks in Prague regarding support for startups, investment, and technological cooperation.

The Czech Republic will open Czech House in Austin and showcase companies at SXSW

The main part of the business mission will move to Austin during the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival. The Czech Republic will be represented there by the Czech pavilion at the SXSW Innovation Expo and a separate platform called Czech House. The event will take place on March 12 and 13, 2026, in downtown Austin. It will offer a two-day program focused on startups and innovation—pitches by Czech companies, discussions on AI, defense, deep tech, critical raw materials, and entering the U.S. market. The event will also include networking with investors and corporations, as well as presentations by regional innovation centers from the Czech Republic.

The first-ever declaration of cooperation between the Czech Republic and a U.S. state will be signed in Texas

In Texas, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček will hold talks with Governor Greg Abbott. On the agenda is the previously mentioned signing of the first-ever declaration of cooperation between the Czech Republic and a U.S. state, which will be Texas. Czech representatives are also scheduled to pay a working visit to Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth and meet with American investors and corporations in Dallas.

Startups, deep tech companies, and traditional industries are heading to the U.S.

The business and innovation mission to the U.S. is being organized by the CzechTrade agency in cooperation with CzechInvest, CzechTourism, and other partners.

“CzechTrade was involved in the conception of this mission and is helping to organize its business component, from communicating with companies to the actual implementation of the program on site. During the mission, we will be available to Czech companies during negotiations and will actively support them in establishing specific business contacts so they can get the most out of their participation,” says Rudolf Klepáček, CEO of CzechTrade.

More than fifty startups, technology companies, investors, and regional innovation centers will participate in the mission, including the South Moravian Innovation Center (JIC), the Central Bohemian Innovation Center (SIC), the Zlín Regional Investment Agency (ZRIA), and the Ústí Region Innovation Center (ICUK). “Direct contact with the U.S. market is key to the further development of startups and technology companies. It will also be important to meet with U.S. companies considering investments in Europe. We want to convince them that the Czech Republic is the most suitable country for realizing their plans,” says Jan Michal, CEO of the CzechInvest agency.

For example, companies developing software for the construction industry, offering artificial intelligence solutions, specializing in corporate financing, providing cloud and data solutions, and others will be heading to the U.S. The mission’s goals include securing new contracts, attracting investment, and strengthening the position of Czech companies in the U.S. market. “The United States is one of the key overseas markets we have long focused on in the tourism sector. Similar projects, where the Czech Republic can present itself comprehensively abroad, strengthen awareness of our country in distant markets and help attract new, affluent visitors,” says František Reismüller, Director of the Czech Tourism Authority – CzechTourism.

Media Contact
Zdeněk Vesecký
PR Manager and Spokesperson
+420 724 591 667
zdenek.vesecky@czechinvest.gov.cz