The Texas Mission Also Yielded a Memorandum with the Region’s Largest Chamber of Commerce

Zlín, 23 October 2025: As part of a business mission to Texas, the Zlín regional development agency ZRIA signed a memorandum of cooperation with the largest and most influential business organisation in San Antonio — the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. This represents another step in connecting regional business with the global innovation ecosystem.

ZRIA is thus systematically creating opportunities for Zlín-based companies in Texas and for American companies in the Zlín Region. It is building a two-way bridge, with visits by Texas companies to the Zlín region also planned.

The memorandum was signed by ZRIA Strategic Director Petr Kubíček and Jeff Webster, President of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, in the presence of Czech Ambassador to the USA Miloslav Stašek and Deputy Governor of the Zlín Region David Vychytil.

“The document opens up new and concrete possibilities for cooperation. On its basis, joint projects will be initiated that will strengthen the innovation ecosystem on both continents. Companies from the Zlín Region will have the opportunity to enter incubators and accelerators in San Antonio, while entrepreneurs from San Antonio will be able to explore the Czech market. Both sides will work together on sharing know-how, for example through talent exchanges that connect the experience of both regions. Everything will be given very specific content, and we will regularly return to individual conclusions and tasks with our partners,” said Petr Kubíček, describing the key points of the memorandum.

The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most influential pro-business organisation in the region. It works with more than 1,750 members on the development of San Antonio, a city with a diversified economy and a strong industrial base in aerospace, automotive, cybersecurity, bioscience, and IT.

“This structure naturally complements what we are developing in the Zlín Region. Companies have thus gained another tool for expanding their networks, finding partners, investors, and new markets. And for the Zlín Region, it is another step towards becoming a visible player on the world map,” said Kubíček. He also met with San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, with whom he discussed possibilities for deeper integration between the two regions.

Thirteen companies from high-potential sectors took part in the Texas mission, seeking investors, supply chain partners, and exploring possibilities for establishing joint ventures. During visits to three major Texas cities — Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin — they gained many valuable contacts and insights.

One of the most fascinating highlights of the mission was the unique opportunity to visit the F-35 fighter jet production facility at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth, Texas, alongside representatives of the Czech Ministry of Defence. The production line, stretching over 1.6 kilometres, is where the most advanced fighter jet of our time — the F-35 Lightning II — is born. The aircraft has a wingspan of just under 11 metres, a length of approximately 16 metres, and a top speed of Mach 1.6, or nearly 2,000 km/h.