Key Takeaways
- • Czech Startup Week 2026 runs October 19–23, 2026 in Prague, offering a distributed series of conferences, workshops, investor gatherings, pitch competitions, and networking events rather than a single venue or ticketed conference.
- • Initiated by CzechInvest, the week follows a 2025 edition that drew 2,500 visitors and spans venture capital, fintech, defense and security, space technology, and international business expansion.
- • Engaged Investments (October 21–22), organized by DEPO Ventures and J&T Ventures, is a flagship event with up to 500 participants, including about 250 venture investors and 150 founders, focused on the maturity of Central and Eastern European venture capital.
- • Speakers at Engaged Investments include representatives of the European Investment Fund, NATO Innovation Fund, and Warsaw Equity Group, with sessions on venture development, European defense investment, and cross-border exits.
- • Future Forces Forum 2026 (October 21–23) addresses defense institution and industry cooperation, targeting startups working on dual-use technologies.
Summary
Czech Startup Week 2026 will take place in Prague from October 19 to 23, 2026, according to the event listing. Initiated by CzechInvest, the initiative groups independently organized events under a shared calendar, connecting founders, investors, corporate representatives, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. Unlike a traditional conference, the week has no single venue or admission ticket; each event sets its own registration requirements, and some require paid tickets or invitations.
The 2025 edition attracted 2,500 visitors. The 2026 programme spans venture capital, fintech, defense and security, space technology, and international business expansion. Monday, October 19, features Scaling Up: Europe, Africa and Beyond, organized by CzechInvest, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and partners, along with a two-day hackathon run by The FinTechers in cooperation with Deloitte and AWS.
Tuesday's programme includes the third edition of Tech Happy Hours, organized by Technology Incubation and Startup Kitchen with Czech Founders, and the Pitch & Cheers international startup competition. Wednesday and Thursday carry the week's investment and fintech focus. Engaged Investments, organized by DEPO Ventures and J&T Ventures, brings up to 500 participants, including roughly 250 venture investors, 150 founders, and more than 40 speakers. Its first day examines venture capital development, European defense investment, and cross-border exits, with speakers from the European Investment Fund, NATO Innovation Fund, and Warsaw Equity Group. The second day features the Engaged Startup Showcase, where startups pitch across pre-seed, seed, Series A, fintech, defense, and space categories.
Thursday also hosts UnBundled, Autumn edition, which covers stablecoins, financial infrastructure, digital payments, regulatory requirements, and the intersection of fintech and AI. Future Forces Forum 2026, running October 21 to 23, addresses security challenges, emerging technologies, and cooperation between defense institutions and industry.
The 2025 edition attracted 2,500 visitors. The 2026 programme spans venture capital, fintech, defense and security, space technology, and international business expansion. Monday, October 19, features Scaling Up: Europe, Africa and Beyond, organized by CzechInvest, the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and partners, along with a two-day hackathon run by The FinTechers in cooperation with Deloitte and AWS.
Tuesday's programme includes the third edition of Tech Happy Hours, organized by Technology Incubation and Startup Kitchen with Czech Founders, and the Pitch & Cheers international startup competition. Wednesday and Thursday carry the week's investment and fintech focus. Engaged Investments, organized by DEPO Ventures and J&T Ventures, brings up to 500 participants, including roughly 250 venture investors, 150 founders, and more than 40 speakers. Its first day examines venture capital development, European defense investment, and cross-border exits, with speakers from the European Investment Fund, NATO Innovation Fund, and Warsaw Equity Group. The second day features the Engaged Startup Showcase, where startups pitch across pre-seed, seed, Series A, fintech, defense, and space categories.
Thursday also hosts UnBundled, Autumn edition, which covers stablecoins, financial infrastructure, digital payments, regulatory requirements, and the intersection of fintech and AI. Future Forces Forum 2026, running October 21 to 23, addresses security challenges, emerging technologies, and cooperation between defense institutions and industry.
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