During the 2024 Cluster Day in the South Moravian Region, Nanoprogress was recognised for its long-standing contribution to fostering collaboration between companies and research institutions, for its excellence in research, and for its impact on the development of the Czech cluster landscape. This success confirms its key role in innovation and in connecting leading stakeholders in the field of nanotechnology.

Since 2010, through the “Cooperation – Clusters” programme supported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MPO) and the Business and Innovation Agency (API), Nanoprogress has provided support to more than 50 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and universities. This support included the preparation and management of projects focused on research, infrastructure, and development, significantly contributing to the growth of the Czech nanotechnology sector. 

Nanoprogress provided direct support in the form of financial backing for research and development activities, technical equipment, access to unique infrastructure, and the organisation of educational and matchmaking activities. Thanks to this support, over the course of 14 years, globally unique devices for nanofibre production using alternating current were developed, along with dozens of functional samples, utility models, prototypes, and validated technologies.

Among the most significant outcomes are a laboratory membrane biocontactor based on hollow fibres for testing various process configurations, a nanofibre membrane produced by AC electrospinning designed for the filtration of food-grade media—particularly wine—and a functional sample of a linear composite functionalised surgical suture. These projects involved dozens of companies, leading research institutions, and hundreds of top researchers.

The results of these initiatives have achieved global significance and have played a key role in establishing the worldwide reputation of the Czech nanotechnology industry.

The support provided has resulted in investments worth hundreds of millions of Czech crowns into unique research and technological development, hundreds of research studies focused on nanotechnologies, the development of more than ten globally unique devices for nanofibre production, and dozens of new products, patents, and utility models. Shared open-access centres were also established, equipped with unique technologies for the preparation and analysis of functionalised nanofibre structures and composites, which significantly contributed to technology transfer and the commercialisation of jointly developed results.

Thanks to the support of the Nanoprogress cluster, more than 30 intellectual property-protected solutions were created, with Nanoprogress being a co-owner of 17 of them, including two globally protected patents: EP3394328 and PS4063WO. Based on these achievements, member entities have expanded their technological and product bases, resulting in innovations such as air and water filters, water treatment and purification systems, filters for food applications, facial masks, smart textiles, and protective equipment.

Companies supported by Nanoprogress include:  Bioinova, a.s.; Sintex, a.s.; Nanopharma, a.s.; Technická univerzita v Liberci; Filtrex s.r.o.; Vysoká Škola Báňská; Univerzita Tomáše Bati; Centrum organické chemie s.r.o., SUJCHBO, a.s.; VÚTS, a.s.; BIOENERGO - KOMPLEX, s.r.o.; Teramed, s.r.o.; EPS Biotechnology s.r.o., KPL invest s.r.o., Univerzitní centrum energeticky efektivních budov, and others.