R&D&I in the Central Bohemian Region
The innovation ecosystem of the Central Bohemian Region is characterised by the high share of research and development (R&D) expenditures spent by companies in the region. The corporate sector accounts for almost 80% of all R&D expenditures. The total volume of R&D investment in the region reaches almost 2.3% of GDP which is above the national average.
Compared to other Czech regions, the Central Bohemian Region is one of the few regions whose innovation performance has been increasing in the long term, relative to the EU average. In terms of innovation performance, Central Bohemia is currently on the borderline between the Moderate and Strong Innovator levels, with its main strengths in the areas of business and product innovation, employment in knowledge-intensive activities or R&D expenditures in the business sector.
Find out more about latest TOP innovations from research organisations and SMEs located in the Central Bohemian Region in this short video.
Atlas of Innovation Environment in the Central Bohemian Region
The Central Bohemian Region also has an extensive network of 27 research centres and universities focusing on technology, natural sciences, agriculture, biotechnology, and medicine. The regional research centres have the potential to develop the Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) or other strategic technologies for the future identified in the national or regional innovation strategies, such as: biotechnology and biomedicine (Biotechnology and Biomedicine research centre – BIOCEV, National Institute of Mental Health) optics, photonics (ELI Beamlines and HiLASE laser centres), space technologies (Astronomical Institute) nuclear technologies (Řež Research center, Nuclear Physics Institute) energy and Smart Cities (University Centre for energy efficient buildings).
A number of large global companies are active in the region, including branches of innovation leaders – companies that invest most resources in R&D activities globally, such as EATON CORPORATION, VALEO or VOLKSWAGEN.
The Central Bohemian Region also has its Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (RIS3). It is designed as a ‘living document’, which is regularly completed and up-dated based on EU Regional and Cohesion Policy and regional innovation ecosystem. It represents a long-term plan to increase the competitiveness of the Region.
