GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2025

Klastr MECHATRONIKA – for its long-term contribution to the development of the cluster environment in the Czech Republic.

As a co-organiser of the Cluster Day in the Pilsen Region and the Technology Village, Klastr MECHATRONIKA has demonstrated exceptional integration with the city and the Pilsen Region. Through innovation and collaboration, the cluster has consistently supported the growth of its members over the long term.

Note: The Cluster Day usually takes place at the end of the year; therefore, we have decided to award the Golden Cluster always for the given year, rather than retrospectively.

CLUSTER AWARDS 2023

GOLDEN CLUSTER

CREA Hydro&Energy – for its significant contribution to innovation and the international promotion of Czech entities in the water management sector.

The team received the award for its unique project Digital Twin of the Karolinka Dam, developed between 2021 and 2023. This model integrates expertise from water management, information technologies (IT), and public administration, offering an innovative approach to the management and optimisation of water infrastructure operations.

The project was designed to enable more efficient management of dams and water resources, with the river basin authority acting as the main user, for whom the model was provided for pilot implementation. The impact of the project has extended beyond the Czech Republic. Today, the Digital Twin of the Karolinka Dam is presented at major international conferences, serving as an inspiring example of how modern technologies can be effectively connected with real-world needs in the field of water management.

CLUTEX – Technical Textiles Cluster – for the development of the regional innovation ecosystem.

The cluster contributed to the development of an innovative approach to textile recycling. The Technical University of Liberec and the social cooperative Diakonie Broumov tested the recycling of entire garments. The outcome was a new material used to produce clothes hangers and construction boards.

Czech Footwear and Leather Association – for its support of and contribution to the development of education.

The association initiated the establishment of a working group that resulted in the preparation of a new upper-secondary graduation programme, “Technical Lyceum – Footwear and Plastics Manufacturing Specialisation.” Through fundraising activities, CZK 200,000 was secured to support its promotion. The programme will open in the 2025/2026 academic year for 20 students.

Klastr MECHATRONIKA – for the development of internationalisation and the promotion of the Czech Republic.

The cluster introduced a new “table-top” exhibition concept in the Czech–German border region. The cross-sector networking event brought together 80 companies and research institutions. As a direct result of the event, two contracts were concluded, with several additional collaborations currently under negotiation.

Autoklastr – for supporting company development and innovation.

The cluster supported the development of advanced production planning software using AI, known as “Biomorphic Factories,” for the companies Cerebrica and LARS Chemie, through a EUR 60,000 voucher from the Eurocluster RESIST project.

NANOPROGRESS – for its long-term support of cooperation between companies and research institutions, excellence in research, and the development of the Czech cluster ecosystem.

CLUSTER AWARDS 2022

GOLDEN CLUSTER

Czech Optical Cluster – for long-term support of the optical ecosystem in the Czech Republic.

Within six years of its existence, the Czech Optical Cluster has built a strong cooperation platform and connected key players from science and industry in the field of optics and related disciplines. It actively promotes the sector both in the Czech Republic and internationally. The cluster has grown from five founding members in 2017 to 39 members today, and the number continues to grow.

CLUTEX – Technical textiles cluster – for supporting and developing education.

The cluster became a coordinator and partner in two international Erasmus+ projects focused on educating young textile professionals in eco-design, sustainable business, and the effective identification, use, and management of resources and information within companies to support development and innovation.

In the same spirit, the cluster is also active on the Czech educational scene. After efforts to preserve the last textile industrial school, a positive turnaround was achieved, and a new arrangement within the Secondary Industrial School in Liberec now offers hope for modern textile education through a newly opened lyceum class.

CzecHemp – for supporting company development and innovation.

The activities of CzecHemp focus on supporting and developing businesses working with hemp and on legislative change to enable the full use of hemp’s potential, not only in the Czech Republic but also on a global scale.

Cluster of Czech Furniture Manufacturers – for developing internationalisation and promoting the Czech Republic.

Through the active participation of the cluster and its members at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York (USA) and a matchmaking event in Toronto (Canada), new opportunities were created for Czech furniture and furniture software manufacturers to enter the US and Canadian markets.

Klastr MECHATRONIKA – for the development of the innovation ecosystem.

Innovation. Cooperation. Education. The motto “A cluster is a functional network” is frequently used by Klastr MECHATRONIKA—and it is far from an empty phrase. The cluster provides comprehensive support to its members and helps raise their visibility beyond what they could achieve individually.

Young Managerial Talent of the Year

Kristián Celý, International Project Manager of CREA Hydro&Energy – for the successful development and implementation of an action plan for the innovation ecosystem of the South Moravian Region in the field of water management (the iWATERMAP project, Interreg Europe), and for further achievements in strengthening the cluster’s internationalisation.

CLUSTER AWARDS 2021

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD

CZECHIMPLANT – for supporting modern treatment approaches and innovative medical and biotechnological solutions, with a strong focus on long-term sustainability, particularly in the field of implantology.

CREA Hydro&Energy – for active cooperation with Mendel University in Brno in establishing the Central European centre “Water in the Landscape”.

Klastr MECHATRONIKA – for supporting companies in the implementation of Industry 4.0.

AUTOKLASTR – for supporting innovation and contributing to the development of the regional innovation ecosystem.

Czech Aerospace Cluster – for long-term support of companies in international markets and the promotion of the Czech aerospace industry.

CLUSTER MANAGER OF THE YEAR 2021

CLUSTER AWARDS 2020

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD

CLUTEX – Technical textiles cluster – for its long-term contribution to the development of the regional innovation ecosystem.

CREA Hydro&Energy – for its long-term contribution to internationalisation.

Czech Membrane Platform – for its long-term contribution to the regional innovation ecosystem and for a successful project supported by the Liberec Region.

AUTOKLASTR – for developing the human potential of cluster members through national and transnational education projects.

NANOPROGRESS – for its long-term contribution to the development of innovation within companies.

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2019

Cluster of Czech Furniture Manufacturers – for long-term excellent results in cluster development, internationalisation, and increasing the competitiveness of member companies.

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2018

Czech Optical Cluster – for its contributions to enhancing the competitiveness of the Olomouc Region and representing the Czech Republic at the international level.

Plastics Cluster – for long-term excellent results in cluster development, with significant contributions to research and development, innovation, internationalisation, and the competitiveness of member companies.

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2017

AUTOKLASTR – for long-term excellent results in cluster development, contributing to increased competitiveness of suppliers in the Czech automotive industry, and exemplary cooperation with universities and the Moravian-Silesian Region.

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2016

NANOPROGRESS – for the most dynamic development among cluster organisations between 2012 and 2016. During this period, NANOPROGRESS advanced from 27th to 3rd place in the national performance ranking of Czech cluster organisations conducted by the NCA and the Faculty of Management and Economics, Tomas Bata University in Zlín.

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2015

CREA Hydro&Energy – for outstanding placement in the national evaluation of the viability of Czech cluster organisations conducted by the Faculty of Management and Economics of Tomas Bata University in Zlín, and for excellent results in cluster management and internationalisation.

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2014

AUTOKLASTR – for achieving first place in the first nationwide evaluation of the viability of Czech cluster organisations conducted by the NCA for the Ministry of Industry and Trade in 2012, and for excellent results in cluster management, R&D projects, and internationalisation in the subsequent years 2013–2014.

GOLDEN CLUSTER AWARD 2013

National Engineering Cluster – on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of its establishment, for pioneering work in developing the first cluster organisation in the Czech Republic, enhancing the prestige of the cluster concept and Czech engineering, and achieving exceptional success in internationalisation.