The Zlín Region continues to open its doors to the world. Following the March mission in the American state of Texas, led by Governor Radim Holiš, the region hosted Drew Scheberle a globally recognized authority. Drew Scheberle, Executive Director of the National Security Innovation Council, former key strategist of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, and a recognised expert on cooperation between government, industry, and universities, visited the Zlín Region from 8 to 11 July 2025.
His visit built on previous steps taken by the regional leadership and aimed to strengthen international cooperation, connect the region with American innovation networks, and create concrete opportunities for businesses, research, and education. The programme included visits to several key companies in the defence and aerospace sector — including Ray Service, MESIT, and Aircraft Industries — which rank among the leading Czech industrial firms with reach into NATO and global markets.
“Texas and the Zlín Region have share a common DNA — pragmatism, the courage to do business, an emphasis on research, and a strong technical foundation. This visit is proof that this is not merely about diplomatic gestures, but about real opportunities for our companies, education system, and the entire regional economy. We are well aware that the defence and aerospace industry has not only deep roots in our region but also extraordinary prospects. Our goal is to create conditions that will help companies in this sector continue to grow, expand, and contribute to making the Zlín Region a successful region where young people want not only to work, but also to live a happy and secure life,” said David Vychytil, Deputy Governor of the Zlín Region for the Economy and Business Support.
A key element of the visit was also a very compelling presentation of the technological maturity and innovation potential of companies from the Zlín Region — and their bold ambitions towards international cooperation.
“The Zlín Region has a lot to offer. In Texas, we value regions that have drive, can make things happen, and have quality partners. Here I saw strong leaders, ready companies, and an excellent foundation for cooperation in research, industry, and international affairs. I believe we have laid a solid foundation for a partnership that will deliver concrete results on both sides of the ocean,” said Drew Scheberle, Executive Director of the National Security Innovation Council, following his visit.
The entire visit was organised by the Zlín Region Investment Agency (ZRIA), the regional organisation focused on supporting business and strategic internationalisation. One of its goals is to help drive changes that will contribute to reversing the long-term outflow of young people from the region.
“I am pleased that ZRIA is already confirming its role as the driving force behind active regional diplomacy. We help build bridges between the Zlín Region and successful regions around the world — and not symbolic ones, but concrete, functional, and two-way bridges. We chose Texas strategically because it has something to offer both established companies and entrepreneurs at the start of their journey. This visit has clearly confirmed that we are heading in the right direction — and I believe it will deliver tangible results in the very near future,” added Petr Kubíček, Director of Strategic Development at ZRIA.
Drew Scheberle’s visit was further proof that the Zlín Region has the potential to become a significant European partner in the fields of modern technology, defence, and aerospace. Step by step, the region is fulfilling its vision of being a place where one can live locally — but think and work globally.
The Holešov Strategic Industrial Zone is undergoing extensive modernisation. The Zlín Region is making significant investments in the construction of transport, technical, and green infrastructure, which is important for the future functioning of companies and the comfort of employees and residents in the region.
An Attractive and Sustainable Business Environment
“New roads, pavements, cycle paths, public lighting, street furniture, and extensive planting of greenery are gradually transforming the area into an attractive, sustainable, and modern business centre. A locality is emerging that combines technical readiness with high-quality, welcoming facilities for employees and the local community,” says Mojmír Novák, Chairman of the ZRIA Board of Directors.
A Cycle Path Will Connect Key Parts of the Zone
One of the important elements is a new cycle path connecting Všetulská Street in the western part of the zone and running to the roundabout at the junction of Holešovská and Martinická streets. The route will continue northwards to Tovární Street. This more than three-kilometre section will enable comfortable, safe, and eco-friendly connections between different parts of the site and will improve facilities for employees and residents.
“The fundamental modernisation of the Holešov zone is a significant step in our efforts to support the business environment in the Zlín Region. The new infrastructure will improve working conditions, increase the attractiveness of the zone, and at the same time contribute to ecological sustainability,” said David Vychytil, Deputy Governor of the Zlín Region for Finance, Property, and Business Development.
Supporting the Business Environment and Sustainability
The project is part of the region’s broader strategy focused on sustainable mobility. The new cycle route will offer residents of the town and surrounding area a safe and environmentally friendly means of transport to work, schools, or services. It will also help reduce emissions and improve air quality. The modernisation also includes new green spaces, bio-corridors, and bio-centres. More than 1,400 trees will be planted. These natural elements will contribute to rainwater retention, better water management, and increased ecological stability of the area.
The “Construction 11” Project – the Largest Modernisation Phase
The project known as “Construction 11” was launched in January 2025 and represents one of the most significant phases of the Holešov zone’s modernisation. Total costs will reach up to CZK 254 million excluding VAT. Completion of the works is planned for May 2026. As part of this project, technical infrastructure is being expanded, including water supply, sewerage, gas pipeline, high-voltage electricity networks, communication cabling, and installation of new public lighting.
“Our goal is to create a long-term sustainable and competitive space that will be attractive both to investors and to the people who will work here,” adds Mojmír Novák. ZRIA is participating in the project as coordinator of the zone’s strategic development, managing communication with investors and implementing the long-term strategy of transforming the site into a modern and competitive business centre.
“We place great emphasis on ensuring that the zone is not only technically prepared, but also welcoming for both companies and people. That is a decisive advantage in the competition for investors today,” added Tomáš Chmela, Deputy Governor for Strategic Development and Subsidies.
Thirteen companies from high-potential sectors will take part in the first trade mission to the American state of Texas, organised by the regional development agency ZRIA. Eight of them operate directly in the Zlín Region, while the remaining five represent other Czech regions — confirming that ZRIA’s activities have an impact beyond the region’s borders. The mission will take place from 14 to 20 October and is part of a long-term strategy to connect the Zlín Region with the global environment and open up new opportunities for businesses, universities, and public institutions.
“The mission is a concrete example of how, through ZRIA, we are fulfilling our vision: building the Zlín Region as a modern, open, and attractive region. We want our entrepreneurs to be able to succeed in global markets — and at the same time bring know-how and partnerships back to the region that will accelerate its development,” says David Vychytil, Deputy Governor of the Zlín Region for Finance, Property, and Business Development.
The delegation will visit three major Texas cities — Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. Each offers specific opportunities for business, innovation, and international cooperation. Participants will meet key players in American business, government, and the innovation ecosystem. The mission will thus give companies direct access to the contacts that are crucial for entering the American market. They will also have the opportunity to meet with important representatives at the state and regional level.
“We will be sitting at the table with people who are genuinely and fundamentally shaping the development of Texas. We will be directly at the source of information, ideas, and contacts that can help our companies. Over more than a year of systematic work, we have built a position and contacts there that we can now use for our companies and, in turn, for the development of the Zlín region,” says Petr Kubíček, Director of Strategic Development at ZRIA.
The programme will include, among other things, a visit to global aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin, where representatives of the Czech Ministry of Defence will also join the delegation. Companies can look forward to targeted B2B matchmaking sessions in the fields of aerospace, defence, ICT, and deep-tech, connections with innovation hubs, universities, and business associations. They will gain specific information and contacts needed for expansion, investment, and building international partnerships.
“Our goal is not only to open doors for local companies, but also mapping new foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows for the Zlín Region. It was precisely thanks to these activities that the cooperation between TBU and the American startup Yonder Materials came about. We are showing that even a regional agency can have a global impact,” adds Kubíček.
Zlín and Uherské Hradiště now rank among more than fifteen Czech cities where the Bolt Food service is operational, with plans to expand to Kroměříž as well. Following last autumn’s entry into the Zlín Region with ride-hailing services, this represents further opportunities that this technology platform offers to people and businesses. The entry into the regional market was negotiated a year ago by the regional development agency ZRIA, which welcomes the expansion of services.
“We declared that it is important to us for progressive technology companies to operate in the region — ones that will also bring job opportunities for locals, which is happening. Expanding services to additional areas is beneficial for people, and we are pleased that such services, which are commonplace around the world, are being well received,” said Petr Kubíček, Director of Strategic Development at ZRIA.
The company has onboarded a diverse portfolio of popular local restaurants offering a wide array of culinary options in Zlín and Uherské Hradiště. Orders are delivered by couriers by bicycle, electric scooter, motorbike, or car to optimize delivery times based on distance and traffic conditions. This is also creating additional job opportunities.
Both new and regular users of the service receive targeted promotional bonuses, and the service will gradually expand to other towns in the Zlín region.
The Holešov Strategic Industrial Zone will undergo a significant transformation in the coming years. An extensive project is being prepared that combines landscape ecology, aesthetics, and smart civil engineering — new greenery, a natural infiltration swale, and over six hundred trees will give the entire area a completely new character.
The planned modifications will focus mainly on the western and central sectors of the site. The zone will thus gain not only a more modern and welcoming appearance, but above all an environment that is nature-friendly and pleasant for everyday life. Local air quality will improve significantly, mitigate the urban heat island effect through natural canopy cooling, and overall biodiversity will increase.
The heart of the project will be a natural infiltration swale — an area of over 1.7 hectares that will be created along the planned roads. Its purpose will be to capture rainwater, allow it to naturally permeate into the soil, and at the same time protect the surroundings from extreme rainfall and the risk of local flooding. Thanks to integrated safety overflow systems, the system will function effectively even during heavier downpours, capturing storm run-off, facilitate natural groundwater recharge.
In addition to the swale, extensive an afforestation campaign will take place. A total of 620 trees will be planted in three phases, consisting of native species naturally occurring in the region — such as sycamore maple, common hornbeam, pedunculate oak, and small-leaved lime. The project also includes three years of subsequent professional care to ensure successful establishment and healthy growth.
Another part of the project will be the establishment of more than six hectares of grassland areas. Before sowing, the surface will be prepared and enriched with nutrient-dense, humus-rich topsoil to guarantee robust root stabilization and creates a stable green cover.
The total capital expenditure of the project is CZK 31 million, of which CZK 11 million will be funded from European Union resources.
A memorandum signed by American startup Yonder Materials (CombiMatrixAI Corporation), Tomas Bata University in Zlín, and the regional development agency ZRIA paves the way to establish a significant European centre for discovering new materials using artificial intelligence.
The document establishes a framework for the creation of the Zlín Materials Institute (ZMI) — a collaborative powerhouse of researchers, engineers, students, and companies that will combine artificial intelligence with materials science to create a dynamic research environment focused on developing the materials of the future for commercial deployment.
The memorandum also defines the shape of future cooperation, pilot research sectors, and the gradual direction towards establishing this new research institute. The Zlín Materials Institute is intended to become the foundation of a European centre of excellence for the discovery of new materials, based in Zlín, serving not only the Czech Republic but also other European Union countries. The cooperation begins with specific commercial projects, which serve as proof of concept, and on their basis the framework for cooperation and the institute itself will be further defined.
“A platform for innovation will be created in the Zlín Region, attracting international talent and capital, and the role of TBU as a key player in this field will also be strengthened. The goal is to create a world-class centre in Zlín and anchor cutting-edge research in the region, to be followed by support for local companies and entrepreneurship,” said Governor Radim Holiš. Zlín and the Zlín region have a strong tradition in materials engineering, with the Faculty of Technology, the Institute of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Applied Informatics, and the Centre of Polymer Systems.
“Yonder Materials already cooperates with the Texas Materials Institute at the University of Texas in Austin and with the Clean Energy Institute at the University of Washington. It is developing partnerships with other leading universities and technology leaders around the world. Now they are looking for opportunities in Europe — and we agreed that Zlín is one of the key destinations where they can build their European base and at the same time build on the experience and tradition of our region,” described Petr Kubíček, Director of Strategic Development at ZRIA, about the beginnings of the cooperation.
“The cooperation with Yonder Materials demonstrates how, through our long-term relationships in the USA, we can bring cutting-edge technology and new investment impulses to the region. American innovation companies — like Yonder — are looking for partners in Europe who will help them grow. And that is precisely the role of the Zlín Region: to be a bridge between technology leaders and our universities and companies,” said Deputy Governor David Vychytil.
The positive expectations are confirmed by the representatives of the American company. “The Zlín Materials Institute will create a framework for cooperation that will help Yonder achieve its strategic goals in Europe. It will combine the industrial base, the academic background of Tomas Bata University, and business opportunities. We are excited to be part of this cooperation,” says Don Montgomery, founder of Yonder Materials.
“Zlín is an ideal starting point for our European operations thanks to its strategic location, emphasis on scientific education and research, and strong industrial base,” added David Clark, Executive Vice President for Business Development.
Yonder Materials’ technology makes it possible to significantly accelerate the discovery of new materials. It combines artificial intelligence with automated testing, enabling the evaluation of vast numbers of possibilities within days that would take years using traditional methods. This new technological cooperation thus builds on Zlín’s long tradition as a place where entire industrial sectors have been transformed through innovations in materials — dating back to the era of Tomáš Baťa.
The planned partnership builds on exactly these possibilities, drawing on the outstanding facilities of the Faculty of Technology, the Faculty of Applied Informatics, and the Centre of Polymer Systems. Research results will find applications in areas such as space research, electromobility, sustainability, decarbonisation, and regenerative medicine — not only for companies in the Zlín Region, but also across the Czech Republic and the European Union. The cooperation is therefore also open to other entities. The goal is for the institute to be a platform connecting research, technology companies, and application partners in the field of materials.
“For students, working with these systems will be an excellent experience, and for the university it will be an opportunity to build cooperation with customers, companies, and research projects from across Europe and the USA,” said TBU Rector Milan Adámek.
The Faculty of Applied Informatics will also be involved in the project, developing and fine-tuning AI models and addressing data protection, which it has long specialised in.
Yonder Materials is an AI startup from Seattle, closely connected with the University of Washington and the Texas Materials Institute in Austin. The team consists of experts with extensive experience in American technology companies. The company develops a unique technology for discovering new materials — combining artificial intelligence with automated, autonomous robotic laboratories and offering a combination of cutting-edge software and proprietary hardware.
Around fifty representatives of companies, innovation organisations, academia, and the public sector gathered for a presentation by the American startup accelerator Plug and Play, which provides venture capital to early-stage and innovative companies with high growth potential and connects them with investors and corporations worldwide. The event was organised by the regional development agency ZRIA and was made possible in part by the Zlín Region’s connections in Texas. Representatives of the accelerator were thus able to share their experience in providing venture capital, connecting companies, and creating new opportunities.
“The Zlín Region has a very successful entrepreneurial story behind it — the Baťa brand, which is essentially the first Czech ‘unicorn’. The impact of this company is still very noticeable in the region and is truly exceptional even by global standards. I believe the time has now come to create an ecosystem here that will enable the emergence of the next Baťa,” said Povilas Žinys, Plug and Play’s Director for the Baltic States. Company partner Carolin Wais stated in her presentation that the firm wants to be the most influential and recognised accelerator in the Czech Republic and beyond, connecting all ecosystem players with the aim of bringing innovation and entrepreneurship. It also wants to be a global player that leverages the partnership and long-term cooperation between Texas and the Zlín Region.
“Even at this event we can see that regional activities in Texas have a yielding tangible, high-value dimensions, and connecting the business scene there with the local one can bring a range of opportunities and development to both sides. That is what we have long been striving for — to connect our region with the world and make it attractive,” said Deputy Governor David Vychytil, who attended the event.
Representatives of regional companies were thus able to obtain initial information, contacts, and guidance on how to access support and investment capital, and also used the event to share their own experience of building the local innovation scene.
“Events like this are very important for us, as they reveal a new dimension and opportunities that can genuinely help us. I want to thank not only the representatives of Plug and Play but also the Zlín Region for their support in this matter. Experienced players with capital can take our startup and innovative companies to levels we may not even have dared to consider. ZRIA’s goal is to actively connect the region with global innovation ecosystems and support the emergence of new startup projects with international potential,” said Petr Kubíček, Director of Strategic Development at ZRIA.
Plug and Play, originally from Silicon Valley, now has more than 550 corporate partners (including Intel, Red Bull, P&G, and L’Oréal) and a presence in more than 50 locations across Europe, America, and Asia. Venture capital is primarily intended to finance innovative projects and disruptive innovation and early-stage scaling of young, high-potential startups, which is also why it is riskier than other conservative forms of fund investment.
The Holešov Strategic Industrial Zone is growing with the addition of a significant player in the engineering sector. International CZ, spol. s r.o., has begun construction of its new premises, which will serve not only as the company’s headquarters but also as a state-of-the-art hub for manufacturing, service, and education in the field of custom machinery and CNC machining.
This investment represents another important step in the development of both the industrial zone and the company itself. On its own plot, the company plans to build facilities that will support its long-term scaling efforts — in terms of both production capacity and specialist expertise.
The arrival of International CZ at the Holešov Strategic Industrial Zone confirms that the location offers ideal conditions for companies focused on cutting-edge technology and specialised manufacturing. This investment represents not only a significant boost for the development of technical know-how in the region, but also creates space for the creation of high-skilled engineering jobs and reinforces the long-term vision of a technology oriented industrial base.
The new site will include a showroom where customers will be able to observe custom machinery operating in real-time, as well as a service and training centre that will raise the professional standards of the entire sector.
International CZ has been active in the market since 1998 and is established as an experienced manufacturer of custom machines for processing foam materials, technical textiles, and other advanced substrates. It also cooperates with leading international partners, for example from Germany and the USA. The company is the exclusive representative of several renowned brands.
Through this investment, the Holešov Strategic Industrial Zone once again confirms its potential as an attractive destination for advanced industrial projects with significant economic and technological.
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