# Speakers – Innovation Week 2026 > Speakers, panelists and moderators, A–Z, with their appearances in the programme. - Canonical page: https://www.innovationweek.ai/speakers - Language: en (Czech version: https://www.innovationweek.ai/cs/speakers.md) - Conference programme: https://www.innovationweek.ai/programme.md - Tickets: https://www.innovationweek.ai/tickets - Site index for AI assistants: https://www.innovationweek.ai/llms.txt --- ### Abdul Kamyar - Position: CEO & Founder of SheConnects - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, She=Business - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdul-kamyar/ Abdul Kamyar is an Afghan entrepreneur and the CEO and founder of SheConnects, a mission-driven startup that connects Afghan women who lost their right to work under the Taliban regime with global freelancing opportunities. With background in marketing, innovation management, cross-cultural communication, and experience in the nonprofit sector in Afghanistan, he works at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and society. He attributes the creation of SheConnects to a personal responsibility to respond to severe women’s rights violations in his country and to use technology as a tool to address them. Abdul holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Balkh University in Afghanistan and a Master’s degree in Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Insubria in Italy. He advocates for ethical innovation that expands economic opportunity and empowers marginalized communities. ### Adam Böhm - Position: AI competency Leader at Enehano Solutions - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, Digitalization & Transformation, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: The Rise of Agentic AI - From Artificial Intelligence to Collective Intelligence (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:50) Adam Böhm is a Senior Business Consultant at Enehano Solutions, a Salesforce consulting firm. He leads the company's internal AI transformation. Adam served as chief AI architect on Enehano's largest AI initiative to date. It was an Agentforce implementation for a major European manufacturing company, and it is now used by Salesforce as a reference implementation. Before Salesforce and AI became his focus, Adam spent over a decade in engineering and IT leadership roles. He ran a 150-person global delivery center for Diebold Nixdorf and later led a services division at Actum Digital, where he was part of a company-wide AI working group. This combination of technical depth and large-team leadership shapes how Adam approaches agentic AI. He sees it not just as a technology question, but as a shift in how teams are organized, motivated, and held accountable. Adam has spoken about practical AI adoption at multiple industry events in 2026. He holds multiple AI related certifications by Salesforce and Anthropic. ### Adam Borovec - Position: AI Adoption Specialist at TV Nova - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: TV Nova Presents: Learn How to Create AI Skills (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Johnson) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-borovec-3b462a167/ Adam Borovec is an AI Adoption Specialist at TV Nova, ensuring that AI is actually used across the company rather than merely tested. He works with teams to identify where it makes sense, builds internal tools and agents for those use cases, and integrates them into everyday work. In the first month and a half, this resulted in a casting database for Love Island that production now uses in regular operations, while the rollout of AI-assisted coding began across departments. He also evaluates tools to clarify what is permitted when working with data. What he enjoys most are the moments when a half-day routine becomes a five-minute task that no longer requires conscious attention. ### Adam Hanka - Position: Director of Data&AI - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation, Social Impact - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahanka/ Director of Data&AI AI and Data Science leader with 15 years in research and development of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Works on AI adoption and change management in a wide range of industries, leads the R&D department, explores the influence of AI on our society, and educates future leaders of the AI adoption. Recently, Adam started a podcast about AI called Uhlík vs Křemík. ### Adam Kulhánek - Position: Addiction treatment expert & lecturer at Soulmio - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Human 2.0: Expanding the Human Mind Through AI and Neurotechnology (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dradamkulhanek/ Adam Kulhánek is a leading Czech expert in addiction treatment, who bridges scientific knowledge with hands-on experience in the corporate environment. As a recognized addiction specialist, he is dedicated to both research and clinical practice while also teaching at a medical faculty. In companies, he applies his deep understanding of the human brain and psychology to the development of managers in soft skills and wellbeing. Within Soulmio, a startup focused on online mental health care for companies, his workshops on stress management, corporate wellbeing, and workaholism prevention are among the most sought-after. ### Adam Rajnoha - Position: Co-Founder & CEO of YORD - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software, Technologies & Hardware, Next-Gen Media - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamrajnoha/ As CEO of YORD, I lead one of the world’s leading AI and XR experience studios, helping global brands turn emerging technologies into meaningful real-world impact. We go beyond demos and one-off activations. We design intelligent experiences where AI, immersive technology, and interaction design come together to transform physical and digital environments. What started as a founder-led vision in Prague has grown into an award-winning global studio of nearly 40 specialists across strategy, creative technology, AI, design, and delivery, working across Europe, the U.S., and the Middle East. In just a few years, we’ve delivered 200+ immersive projects worldwide, achieved 477% growth, ranked among Clutch’s Top 10 global VR & AR studios, and been recognized by Deloitte as a Company to Watch and as Story Entrepreneur of the Year. ### Alejandro Albi - Position: CRO at Trackdesk - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: How to Acquire Partners That Acquire Customers (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandroalbi/ Alejandro Albi works at the intersection of partnerships, affiliate growth, and performance marketing, helping businesses turn partner programs into measurable revenue channels. At Trackdesk, he works with companies across industries and markets, giving him a rare view into what happens behind the scenes of thousands of partnership and affiliate programs. With Trackdesk supporting more than 3,000 customers worldwide, Alejandro has seen firsthand what separates partnerships that generate real business from those that look promising on paper but never deliver. His perspective is grounded in patterns across real businesses, not generic growth advice or one-off success stories. He has seen companies build affiliate programs from scratch, scale them to seven figures, recruit and activate partners, and use performance data to understand what is actually driving growth. At Innovation Week, Alejandro will take that industry knowledge and turn it into a practical playbook for one of the most overlooked growth questions: how do you find and acquire partners who can acquire customers for you? If you're building a business, leading growth, or responsible for partnerships, expect fewer buzzwords and more of what actually works (and what doesn't) when partnerships become a serious growth channel. ### Alena Miklová - Position: Ředitelka školy at Magic Hill - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: A System for Developing Soft Skills in Primary School Students (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alena-miklov%C3%A1-232197268/ She graduated in Primary Education from Palacký University Olomouc and studied English language teaching at Akcent College. Throughout her teaching career, she taught at both primary and lower-secondary school levels, specialized in special education, and completed a range of professional courses focused on critical thinking, Montessori pedagogy, and Hejný mathematics. In 2023, she also completed a year-long mentoring program for educators at Akademie Libchavy, along with an MBA degree. ### Aleš Blažek - Position: CEO of ČSOB - Categories: Homepage 2026, Keynote - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Aleš Blažek + Karin Van Hoecke: From the Innovation Index to Kate: How the Banking of the Future Is Born (Thu 1 Oct 14:50–15:10) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ales-blazek/ Aleš Blažek began his professional career as a lawyer at the Prague office of White & Case. From 2000 to 2007, he worked at Citigroup in Prague and London in various legal management roles in corporate and investment banking. He then joined GE Capital, serving as chief counsel for GE Capital International with responsibility for GE Capital legal services in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, and as a member of executive management. He joined ČSOB in 2014 as head of the legal department, responsible for legal and regulatory services and corporate governance. From April 2019 to April 2021, he served as Director of Data and Strategy and contributed to preparing and reviewing ČSOB Group strategy. From 2021 to 2022, he was CEO of KBC Bank Ireland. Since 6 May 2022, he has been Chairman of the Board and CEO of ČSOB and a member of the KBC Group Executive Committee. Aleš Blažek holds a master's degree in law from the Faculty of Law of Charles University in Prague. ### Aleš Stuchlík - Position: Leader, Neurocoach at Mendeor Institute - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Social Impact - Appearances: The Human Limit: Success, Burnout & Well-being in an Always on world (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neurovedec/ Aleš Stuchlík, PhD, DSc, is a leading Czech neuroscientist and professor at Charles University who specializes in learning, memory, and brain science. With more than twenty years of experience, he is involved in academic research focused on improving human behavior and cognition. He has received numerous awards, published more than 100 scientific papers, and co-authored international patents. Professor Stuchlík also serves on the editorial boards of several scientific journals and brings his neuroscience expertise into his personal-development practice through the Neurokouc.cz platform. ### Alexandr Smutný - Position: CEO at Composers Summit Prague & Soundsgate - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Entertainment & Creative AI - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandr-smutný-283a6861 Alexandr Smutný is the CEO of Soundsgate, a company providing 360° audio services for the audiovisual industry, including composer management, original music production, dubbing, localization, voice production, and post-production for film, television, video games, advertising, and digital media. He also plays a leading role in the development of Composer Summit Prague, one of Europe's leading events dedicated to film, television, and video game music. Through the summit, he connects world-renowned composers, filmmakers, game developers, producers, studios, and emerging talent, creating an international platform for collaboration across the creative industries. Alexandr specializes in building strategic partnerships that connect creativity, technology, and business. His work focuses on expanding international cooperation, developing innovative industry formats, and creating opportunities for composers and audio professionals to collaborate with global studios, production companies, and content creators. Under his leadership, Soundsgate has evolved into a comprehensive audio partner for the audiovisual industry, supporting projects from creative development and composer representation through recording, localization, and final audio delivery. With extensive experience in entrepreneurship, international business, and the creative industries, Alexandr is passionate about strengthening the global audiovisual ecosystem while positioning Central Europe as a destination for world-class audio production, film music, and creative innovation. ### Amit Grinvald - Position: Communication Strategist & Public Speaking Coach - Categories: Moderator - Verticals: Social Impact, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Entertainment & Creative AI - Appearances: TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 1 (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–14:05) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-grinvald-0655066a/ Amit Grinvald is a communication strategist and public speaking coach who helps leaders, experts, and founders turn complex ideas into clear, compelling narratives. He works with leaders preparing for high-stakes moments, from conference keynotes and major industry stages to investor pitches and leadership communications. He has been trusted by leaders from organisations such as Microsoft, NVIDIA, Deloitte, and Rolls-Royce. Leveraging his operator experience in the startup ecosystem, he mentors international founders through Google for Startups and the Founder Institute. In parallel, he works with VCs on fund narratives and positioning and has supported companies through €80M+ fundraising rounds. Amit is also the founder of TEDxUNYP, one of Europe's most recognised TEDx events, home to multiple TED Editor's Picks and several talks ranked among the global Top 100. As a speaker, host, and moderator, he has led conversations at TED, SXSW London, South Summit, and Digital Business World Congress. ### Amit Jain - Position: Partner at StartupBay - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Robotics & Automation, Software, Digitalization & Transformation, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Build Global from Day One: How to Design a Startup for International Markets (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Startup Room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitj00/ Has spent his time at the intersection of corporate scale and venture speed. He ran enterprise growth at major telcos where he built business models adopted across global markets, then went the other way: co-founded two tech companies, exited both. Over the last decade has nurtured more than 500 early stage ventures. He works closely with funds, corporates, and innovation programs that need to commercialise AI and DeepTech or expand into new markets ### Andrea Dudaško - Position: Coach, Lecturer & Founder of NLPmind.cz - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: The Skills You’ll Need to Avoid Being Replaced by AI, Your Neighbor, or Even Your Child by 2030 (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Curie-Skłodowská); The Human Limit: Success, Burnout & Well-being in an Always on world (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:50); Brain-Based Change = Change That Lasts: What No One Has Told You Yet (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, Johnson) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-duda%C5%A1ko-44b06a2a/ I know you already know WHAT you want to change. But it's hard to figure out HOW to actually change it. And that's exactly my field. I'm a neurocoach and founder of NLPmind, where I combine NLP, coaching, and neuroscience into an approach that isn't built on motivational slogans, but on how the human brain actually works. Before I got here, I completed two university degrees, earned a PhD in applied physics, worked at the Czech Academy of Sciences, and held management positions in international companies – and I discovered that what holds people back most isn't a lack of knowledge, but fear and ingrained patterns of thinking that can be changed. I help leaders and first-time managers across Europe and India navigate the shift from "I'm good at my job" to "I lead people who do that job for me" – exactly the transition that, for most, no one ever prepares them for. I teach them how to make decisions with clarity, handle conflict, and lead with respect instead of fear. ### Andrea Havelková - Position: Content Creator & Reality Show Participant on Farma Česko - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Entertainment & Creative AI, She=Business, Social Impact My name is Andrea Havelková, and I publicly go by the nickname Fallenka. I joined social media back in 2012 and have been creating content ever since. Today, I am a full-time content creator. On my social media channels, I primarily share my life, travels, experiences, and projects that are part of my everyday life. One of the most significant experiences for me was taking part in the reality show Farma Česko on TV Nova, which gave me the opportunity to experience the television environment from a completely different perspective. Spending several weeks under the constant watch of cameras showed me just how intense it can be when your private life suddenly becomes a public part of a television show. I will be sharing my perspective on life both in front of and behind the camera – what it is like to be part of a reality show, what comes after it ends, and how one deals with public attention. ### Andrej Kiska - Position: Founder of Dobrý Anjel - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: The most important innovation of the future is not technology: Gutenberg, Facebook, AI — and Dobrý Anděl (Fri 2 Oct 11:15–11:35) Andrej Kiska is a Slovak entrepreneur, philanthropist, startup investor and former President of Slovakia, whose career has combined business, social impact and public service. Born in Poprad in 1963, Kiska studied microelectronics at the Slovak University of Technology. In 1990, shortly after the fall of communism, he moved to the United States, where he experienced the challenges of starting from scratch, working long hours at a gas station in New Jersey. After returning to Slovakia, he built a successful entrepreneurial career and co-founded Triangel and Quatro, two major hire-purchase companies that provided financial services to more than one million people. In 2005, he sold his shares and decided to focus on philanthropy. In 2006, Kiska co-founded the Good Angel Foundation (Dobrý Anjel), using his entrepreneurial experience to build a transparent and effective model of public giving that supports families facing serious illness. The foundation later expanded its activities into the Czech Republic. In 2014, Kiska was elected President of Slovakia, serving until 2019. He became the first Slovak head of state without a communist political background and made restoring public trust and bringing greater humanity into politics central themes of his presidency. In 2023, Kiska co-founded ROMADE, a social-impact fashion project created to promote Roma culture and create employment opportunities for young Roma women. After ROMADE concluded at the end of 2025, he returned to Dobrý Anjel. Since 2025, he has been actively involved in its activities, supporting its mission and helping shape its future development. ### Anežka Hladíková - Position: Nutrition and Longevity Consultant at Orgánový Věk - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, Health & Biotech - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anežka-hladíková-24132218a/ Anežka is a certified nutrition consultant and longevity specialist. She focuses on holistic lifestyle optimization and strategic healthy longevity—what decisions made today will still work ten or twenty years from now. At Healthy Longevity Club and Healthy Longevity Café, she helps clients understand how their daily decisions affect their health today and in the future. She guides senior managers and their people through long-term programmes—where it becomes clear that a measurement alone is not enough. That is the harder part. Everyone receives diagnostic results; few achieve a change that lasts more than three weeks. Anežka stands precisely between data and everyday decision-making, translating one into the other. At Innovation Week, she will show what this work with a client actually looks like and what a company can observe in its people’s performance. ### Angeley Mullins - Position: Founder & CEO of Aetheris Ventures - Categories: Investors - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: The Human Limit: Success, Burnout & Well-being in an Always on world (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:50); ANGELEY MULLINS: Go-to-Market in 2026: How Startups Actually Win Today (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:20); Scaling Without Chaos (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45); How to Build Your Personal Brand in the Age of AI (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–14:45, Networking Lab) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angeleymullins/ Angeley is the Founder & CEO of Aetheris Ventures, working with forward-thinking Founders & CEOs to build and scale their AI Marketing & GTM engines. Angeley is also a seasoned Marketing & Commercial Executive (CMO / CCO / CGO) with leadership roles across the US, EMEA, UK, and APAC. Angeley has broad scaling experience, having scaled five scale-ups, one of them a unicorn, and three Big Tech companies including Amazon, Intuit, and GoDaddy. She has been recognised by Crunchbase as one of the most influential women in sales, highlighting her ability to use an inbound demand-generation engine to scale digital revenue growth. Angeley has a passion for brand awareness to drive revenue in B2B SaaS and has been featured in Forbes, VentureBeat, The Drum, and other leading media and publications. She is also a sought-after keynote speaker and podcaster with communities including HubSpot, SaaStock, SaaSiest, Innovation Week, Turing Fest, SheCanCode, CMO Alliance, Cognism, and many others. She has a special interest in advancing the conversation around women in leadership and diversity at the executive level. ### Anna Nebeská - Position: Development Manager at the TEREZA Educational Centre - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Wellbeing as a Path to Resilience in the Age of Digital Overload: Who Is Responsible for Our Stress and How Can We Work with It? (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-nebeska-18210510a/ Anna Nebeská has more than 15 years of experience in the cultural and nonprofit sectors in the Czech Republic and abroad. She worked independently for many years and led the programming and production of major festivals such as Maker Faire Czech Republic. She currently supports the development of the TEREZA educational center as Partnerships Manager. She connects the corporate world with civil society, communicates with the media, and looks for opportunities to grow together sustainably. Anna believes that a healthy organizational culture is built on interdisciplinary cooperation, openness within teams, and care for wellbeing. ### Anna Ševčíková - Position: Senior Researcher at Masaryk University - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Love, Sex & Robots: Intimacy in the Digital World (Sat 3 Oct 11:30–12:20) Anna Ševčíková, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Psychology at the Faculty of Social Studies, Masaryk University, Czech Republic. Her research focuses on human sexuality across the lifespan, with particular attention to sexuality in later life, online sexual behavior, digital media use, online risks, and behavioral addictions. She has been actively involved in psychological research and has led several nationally funded research projects examining the intersections of sexuality, intimate relationships, well-being, and digital technologies. She currently serves as Principal Investigator of the research programme On Our Own: Opportunities and Risks in the Individualization of Society (PRINS), a multidisciplinary initiative exploring how ongoing processes of individualization shape people's relationships, identities, well-being, and life trajectories. ### Anna Starkova - Position: Head of Legal Department at Myriad AI - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory - Appearances: AI-Powered Regulatory Intelligence: Turning 10,000 Regulatory Updates into One Decision (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annastarkova/ Anna Stárková is a tech attorney and legal engineer at Myriad AI, a Prague based company building an AI powered platform for regulatory compliance. After eight years in Big Law at White & Case, advising on technology law, intellectual property, and data privacy across national authorities and the European Commission, she moved from writing legal analysis to designing the systems that generate it, building software that determines what gets documented, who approves what, and how decisions hold up under audit or regulatory review. Anna holds a law degree from Charles University in Prague and an LL.M. in law, science, and technology from Stanford, where she studied under professors Paul Goldstein and Mark Lemley. She remains involved with Stanford Law School's AI Initiative Speaker Series, helping organize conversations between leaders working at the intersection of AI, law, and policy. At Myriad, she works alongside engineers with backgrounds at Google, NVIDIA, and Airbnb to build compliance tooling for banks, asset managers, insurers, and healthcare organizations navigating fast moving regulation. ### Avi Rosenblatt - Position: Expert on cybersecurity, AI & digital trust - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Vibe Coding: A Quick Start Guide (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avi-rosenblatt/ Avi Rosenblatt is a software developer, technology entrepreneur, and e-commerce strategist with more than 16 years of experience building digital commerce systems. A graduate of McGill University in computer science, he began his career as a programmer before moving into development management at a Fortune 200 company, where he led large-scale e-commerce initiatives in highly regulated industries. Avi is the technical co-founder of FutureEcom, an advanced B2B and direct-to-consumer commerce platform designed to give growing businesses enterprise-level speed, security, flexibility, and control. His work combines hands-on software architecture with product strategy and a deep understanding of the operational challenges facing online sellers. He is also the creator of BrickZap, a marketplace and inventory platform for LEGO enthusiasts. Developed from the ground up, BrickZap grew from Avi’s personal interest in LEGO into an ambitious community-centered platform intended to improve how collectors, buyers, and sellers manage projects, inventory, and transactions. Alongside his e-commerce ventures, Avi actively explores artificial intelligence as both a development tool and a business capability. His work includes experimenting with custom language models, integrating AI into commerce experiences, and using AI-assisted workflows to move rapidly from concept to working product. He has also participated in public discussions about AI, innovation, and leadership. Across his projects, Avi focuses on turning complex technology into practical products, challenging established platforms, and building systems that give their users greater choice, ownership, and opportunity. ### Barbara Paldus - Position: Founder & CEO of Codex Labs - Categories: Keynote, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Women’s Health Is Not a Niche: AI, Data Gaps & the Future of Care (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:50); Innovation vs. Reality in Healthcare: Can AI Make Healthcare More Sustainable and patient centric? (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:50); BARBARA PALDUS: The future of medicine is integrative (Fri 2 Oct 14:30–14:50); Women's Health Without Myths (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–13:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbara-paldus-332a421/ Barbara Paldus is a scientist, entrepreneur, and investor who has spent her career turning breakthrough technologies into global businesses. She has been at the forefront of innovations ranging from climate monitoring to biotechnology, holding more than 50 patents across analytical tools, bioprocessing, personalized medicine, and integrative health. In 1998, she founded Picarro, which developed the solid-state Cyan laser (488 nm) for flow cytometry and pioneered cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) for ultra-sensitive gas analysis. In 2001, she became the first woman to receive the Adolph Lomb Medal for her contributions to spectroscopy. Barbara went on to co-found and lead Finesse Solutions (2005–2017), a global supplier of automation and measurement systems for single-use bioprocessing. Its technologies were instrumental in large-scale vaccine manufacturing during the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. In 2017, she successfully sold the company to Thermo Fisher Scientific. Today, she serves on the board of ADVA Biotech, advancing automation for personalized medicine and CAR-T therapies. In 2018, she founded Codex Labs, a biotech company developing microbiome-based solutions that support immunity and hormonal balance for skin longevity and health. Codex Labs launched the first intelligent and integrative teledermatology platform in 2026. Through her family office, Sekhmet Ventures, Barbara also invests in technologies shaping the future of healthcare. ### Barbora Šmídová - Position: Head of Marketing at Targito - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation, Technologies & Hardware, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: From CRM to an AI Agent: Connecting Company Data, Tools and Automation with MCP and CDP (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Křižík) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbora-%C5%A1m%C3%ADdov%C3%A1-798590152/ Project and Marketing Manager at Targito.com, where she focuses on developing email marketing strategies for companies such as Bonami, Tescoma, Feedo, Cityzen, and others. For the past six years, she has been creating campaigns that deliver strong results through the smart use of data and automation. ### Barbora Štětinová - Position: AI Consultant, AI Adoption and Data Analytics Specialist at 100UPAT s.r.o. - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation, She=Business - Appearances: AI F*ckups, or AI as FOMO: Why Even the Best AI Initiatives Fail Without Direction (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbora-s-19304910b/ Hi, I'm Barbora. I help companies use artificial intelligence so that it brings not just another technology, but a genuine change in how people work. I operate at the intersection of finance, data analytics and generative AI, combining corporate experience with the practical introduction of AI into companies' everyday operations. I focus on designing AI agents, automating processes, developing employees' AI literacy and supporting AI adoption across organizations. I collaborate on educational programs and training focused on using tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot and Power BI in business practice. I believe the greatest obstacle to AI is rarely the technology itself, but a lack of direction, unclear expectations and insufficient trust in change. That is why I am interested not only in what AI can do, but above all in helping people and companies use its potential meaningfully, safely and with measurable impact. ### Barbora Tyllová - Position: Director of Customer Solutions Center at Mastercard Czech Republic & Slovakia - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, AI & Machine Learning, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: AI-Native Commerce: Do Brands Still Need Shops? (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barboratyllova/ Barbora Tyllová is Director, Customer Solutions Center Lead for Czechia and Slovakia at Mastercard, helping businesses navigate the future of commerce through innovation, technology, and customer-centric digital experiences. She works closely with retailers, financial institutions, and technology partners to identify emerging trends and translate them into real-world business solutions. With extensive experience across digital commerce, payments, and business transformation, Barbora focuses on how technology is reshaping consumer behavior and redefining the relationship between brands and customers. Her expertise includes digital commerce, retail innovation, customer experience, and the practical application of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. At Mastercard, she helps organizations understand and capture the opportunities created by evolving consumer expectations and the increasing convergence of AI, data, and commerce. She is particularly interested in how AI-powered experiences are transforming product discovery, purchasing journeys, and customer engagement, creating new possibilities for brands in an increasingly digital world. As a speaker and industry expert, Barbora shares insights on the future of retail, commerce innovation, and the role of technology in building more personalized, connected, and seamless customer experiences. ### Barbora Wachtlová - Position: Head of Startup team at the Central Bohemian Innovation Centre (SIC) - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: She=Business, Social Impact - Appearances: Scaling Without Chaos (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45); 60 Seconds Pitch (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–14:45, Startup Room) Barbora Wachtlová runs the startup programmes at the Central Bohemian Innovation Centre (SIC), a public innovation agency in Prague, Czech Republic. Her work covers the whole path a founder takes with SIC: from a first conversation about an untested idea, through acceleration, to scouting deal flow for the agency's investment arm. Those programmes range from idea validation with no company required, to an accelerator forlaser and photonics run with partners in Lithuania and Ukraine. She designed SIC's seventeen-module acceleration curriculum and the intake process behind it, and she works with the founders who go through it. Every company gets an individual plan rather than a fixed track. The design question behind all of it is one she keeps returning to: what should a founder have to prove and at what point. That gives her an unusual vantage point. She meets the same startups at four different stages, which means she rarely sees a scaling problem as a single event. She sees what the founders were doing in the months before it broke and how often the break was already visible. On the Scaling Without Chaos panel she argues that most chaos is not a growth problem. It is an unresolved early decision arriving late. ### Blake Wittman - Position: Co-Owner & Chief Growth Officer of GoodGroup - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakewittman/ Co-Owner/Chief Growth Officer Blake Wittman has spent more than 25 years in Europe, shaping a career at the intersection of HR, recruitment, and startups. His path has taken him from global Fortune 100 giants to fast-moving tech ventures and entrepreneurial projects — always driven by a passion for people, purpose, and shaking up the status quo. Today, Blake is Chief Growth Officer and co-owner of GoodGroup, the Central European innovation company driving GoodCall and Recruitment Academy. He focuses on strategy, growth, and helping companies hire smarter, strengthen their employer brands, and rethink how they approach talent. GoodGroup’s mission is clear: to wake up the recruitment industry. ### Branislav Zigo - Position: PhD Student at Comenius University Bratislava - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Software - Appearances: Embodied AI: When Robots Leave the Lab and enter Reality (Thu 1 Oct 11:30–12:20); How Robots Learn: From the First Step to Understanding Humans (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–11:30) He is affiliated with the Department of Applied Informatics at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University Bratislava. His research focuses on human–robot interaction and Vision-Language-Action models, which integrate natural language, visual perception, and sensor data with robotic actions. His main interests include robots’ understanding of their surrounding environment, precise robotic manipulation, and safe human–robot collaboration in environments involving frequent physical contact. Before returning to academia, he spent more than two decades working in industry and entrepreneurship in the fields of IT and consulting. In his lectures, he combines a technical perspective on AI and robotics with practical aspects of deployment, risks, and regulation. ### Bruno Dvorský - Position: Co-Founder of MrRizz.cz - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Robotics & Automation, Digitalization & Transformation, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: The AI-Native Generation: How GenZ and Gen Alfa thinks, works and creates (Thu 1 Oct 14:30–15:20) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruno-dvorsk%C3%BD/ Bruno Dvorský is a young Czech entrepreneur who began building businesses while still at secondary school. At an age when his peers were only deciding what to do next, he was already launching companies, pitching investors and turning bold ideas into projects with real customers. He is the co-founder of MrRizz, a fast-growing fragrance e-commerce brand serving customers across five European markets. In 2025, MrRizz won first place in Komerční banka’s Nastartujte se competition for emerging businesses. Behind the company, Bruno focuses on strategy, systems, technology, finance and the processes needed to support growth. Bruno is also the founder and CEO of GrowSmart, a Prague-based digital marketing agency specialising in paid advertising, performance campaigns and measurable results. His work has connected him with innovative clients and experienced entrepreneurs, helping him build a strong network based on trust and long-term relationships. His passion for ambitious and unconventional concepts is also reflected in Cybertruck.eu. After developing a business plan and securing an investor, Bruno brought one of the first Tesla Cybertrucks to Europe and transformed it into a distinctive mobile advertising platform. The project has since expanded from a single vehicle into a fleet delivering campaigns across Europe. Across his ventures, Bruno combines creativity with a strong focus on execution. He is particularly interested in artificial intelligence, marketing automation and the practical use of emerging technologies. As a speaker, he shares a hands-on perspective on starting young, validating ambitious ideas, attracting the right partners and turning limited resources into momentum. ### Carol Constant - Position: Founder & CEO of WhomLab - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation, She=Business - Appearances: Bias by Design: Women, Power & Leadership in the AI Era (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-constant/ Carol Constant has experience in education and employee development as well as human resources, having worked for Fortune 500 companies across six countries and three continents. As a member of the G100 Council for Pay Equity and Corporate Transformation, she founded WhomLab, an HR technology consultancy that helps companies build gender-balanced executive teams. Recent achievements: In 2025, she spoke at the United Nations on new EU directives affecting corporate leadership. In 2025 and 2026, she was recognized as the Most Influential HR CEO in Central Europe by AI GM. In 2025, WhomLab received the Technology and Innovation Award at AIMS London. She was also behind the creation of the EU Women Leaders 2026 program, funded by the European Commission to support the implementation of the EU directive on gender representation on corporate boards. The program went viral on LinkedIn and received more than 1,500 applications for just 20 places. ### Cristina Sancho - Position: Cofounder & CEO of initIA - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 1 (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–14:05) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristinasanchocastro/ Cristina spent 18 years in leadership positions at Amazon, Netflix and Taringa launching Netflix across Southern Europe, growing subscriber bases to millions, and leading the biggest LATAM social media network through an ownership transition. Today she cofounded initIA, and AI Operations studio that deploys AI agent systems in production running inside the real operations of their clients. Her principles: protect human criteria and understand how work actually gets done before touching any technology. ### Dan Rosendorf - Position: CEO of ICZ Group - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory, Software, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, ICT & Municipality, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Has Europe Missed the AI Race? Regulation, Sovereignty & the New Tech Order (Thu 1 Oct 10:30–11:20) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-rosendorf-99086085/ Dan Rosendorf graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University and then graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in mathematics. Already during his studies, he was interested in information technology and cybersecurity. After his studies, he joined ICZ Group as an Information Security Specialist, where he focused on cybersecurity and the development of cryptographic tools. After some time, he took over the management of the Security division in the ICZ Group. In the yer 2022, he was appointed CEO of the ICZ Group. He continues to participate in the development of modern technologies, especially in the practical development of AI, including with regard to cybersecurity aspects. ### Danial Hasan - Position: Senior Project Manager at Deutsche Telekom Services Europe - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 1 (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–14:05); TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 2 (Sat 3 Oct 14:20–16:00) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danial-hasan/ Danial Hasan is a project manager, leadership facilitator, and certified coach with a deep curiosity about people—how we think, behave, lead, and improve ourselves and those around us. His journey began in Damascus, Syria, where he studied medicine before changing direction to Finance and later moving to the Czech Republic on a full scholarship. Starting his career in customer support, Danial progressed into people leadership and eventually found his passion in developing leaders, teams, and organizations. Danial is a Results-Certified Coach and a certified Leadership Engagement & Impact Coach with Neuroscience Foundation. He believes good leadership starts with curiosity, self-awareness, courage, and a genuine interest in people. Today, he works at DTSE CZ in Transition & Transformation, combining project management with his experience in people leadership, coaching, operations, and crisis management. His work is shaped by a long-standing interest in neuroscience, psychology, and human behavior, particularly how these disciplines can help leaders navigate change, build psychologically safe and high-performing cultures, have better conversations, and enable people to grow. ### Daniel Dočekal - Position: PR & Digital Consultant at Antenna Group - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Next-Gen Media - Appearances: Wind Turbines or Data Centers? Crisis and Influence Communications in the AI Era (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieldocekal/ ### Daniel Espejo - Position: Founder & CEO of Omnia - Categories: Panel discussion - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: How to Measure and Improve Your Brand’s Visibility: Does Timing Matter? (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, Networking Lab) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielespejo/ Daniel Espejo is the founder and CEO of Omnia. Omnia helps brands increase their visibility in IA engines or LLMs with AI agents. Daniel Espejo is the founder and CEO of Omnia, a company helping brands increase their visibility in AI engines and large language models (LLMs) through AI agents. As more consumers discover products through AI assistants, Omnia enables companies to understand, monitor, and optimize how they appear in these new discovery channels. Before launching Omnia, Daniel built his career in product and tech. In 2016, he joined Klarna in Stockholm as a product manager and steadily advanced within the company. In 2020, he returned to Spain to launch Klarna in Spain and Portugal, building the business from scratch and scaling it to over 200 employees and 5 million customers, establishing Klarna as a leading fintech player in the region. ### Daniel Franc - Position: Human Networks & AI Adoption Consultant - Categories: Homepage 2026 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielfranc/?originalSubdomain=cz An architect of human ecosystems that translate corporate strategy into real behavioral change, whether through internal transformation or work with external clients and communities. In the context of AI, he helps organizations overcome the point where most AI strategies fail — with people — and move from a defined strategy to effective, real-world adoption. He has more than 20 years of experience designing and leading programs built around human networks and communities, including 13 years as a Global Program Manager at Google, where he drove grassroots adoption of developer technologies worldwide, from Android and Chrome to Google Assistant. Earlier in his career, he also worked as a Chief Technology Officer at several smaller technology companies he co-founded in the US and Czech Republic. Today, as an independent consultant, he helps companies develop strategies that turn employees from passive users into active drivers of change, building on real networks within organizations while connecting them to top-level business objectives. Over the past two years, alongside his consulting work, he has also been developing his expertise in human networks and communities within the People & Culture and Brand teams at Česká spořitelna. ### Daniel Stach - Position: Moderator of Hyde Park Civilization & popularizer of science - Categories: Moderator - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielstach/?originalSubdomain=cz Science communicator and member of the Science Editorial Team at Czech Television, and moderator of Hyde Park Civilizace as well as special broadcasts on a wide range of topics (including parts of the Election Studio and the special series Planet in Emergency during the COVID-19 pandemic). He has conducted interviews with 45 Nobel Prize laureates (including His Holiness the Dalai Lama), world-renowned scientists from various disciplines, two astronauts who walked on the Moon, and even with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station — the first “extraterrestrial” broadcast in Czech history. He also focuses on key societal topics, such as filming in the former Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp and interviewing Holocaust survivors. A former junior national team member in canoe slalom, he also comments on sports events. An asteroid (93256) has been named after him. He is the recipient of several awards, including the Ferdinand Peroutka Prize, the Vojtěch Náprstek Medal, the Medal for Merit in the Development of Science from the Learned Society of the Czech Republic, and the Silver Medal of the President of the Senate for his “ability to inspire and clearly communicate complex ideas.” He is married, has a son and a daughter, and a cat named Pan Rozárka. ### Daniel Wood - Position: Founder & Innovation Architect of INSO and INSO.world - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, Social Impact - Appearances: Scaling Without Chaos (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45); AI as Creator: Who Owns Culture Now? (Fri 2 Oct 11:30–12:20); TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 2 (Sat 3 Oct 14:20–16:00) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danvvood/ Dan is a weird fusion of engineer, army, finance, inventor, innovator, and community builder - a life fuelled by endless experimentation, curiosity, creativity, and most importantly, fun! More conventionally, Dan is an innovation strategist, entrepreneur, and public speaker. Founder of INSO and INSO.world - a boutique innovation consultancy and global network - Dan unites a diverse community of innovators, creators, and leaders to help organisations design smarter solutions, move faster, and navigate complex change with confidence and momentum. In short, INSO translates bold ideas into practical products, services, and strategies through the power of collective intelligence. As a TEDx speaker on “The Innovation Equation” - defining innovation as a holistic system where Innovation = Leadership + People + Technology + Context - Dan shares a battle-tested approach rooted in real-world constraints. He helps audiences connect leadership, culture, tools, and environment into a repeatable framework for progress. He also co-hosts The Good Ideas Club podcast, sparking candid, cross-disciplinary conversations with founders, operators, creatives, and experts to draw out lessons that bridge creativity, experience, and action. Grounded in a civil engineering degree, a decade as a Captain in the British Army’s Parachute Regiment, and years building FinTech systems in offshore finance, Dan fuses engineering rigour with elite leadership and product thinking. His career thrives on parallel experiments - from inventing fishing products to developing a current affairs prediction app - always driven by curiosity, creativity, and decisive action to deliver tangible results. ### Daria Hvížďalová - Position: AI & education expert, co-instructor at MIT Professional Education - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, AI & Machine Learning - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariahvizdalova/ Daria has two passions in life – technology and education. She works as the Director of AI Skills & Learning at 42 London and also serves as the Head of AI EduLab at SFÉRA Pardubice. She co-founded Mainware, a software company for industrial maintenance management. Daria is also the academic director of the MBA AI in Business program at Newton University and, in 2025, serves as an AI course instructor at MIT Professional Education (USA). She is a public speaker on technology, innovation, and AI, and has presented at numerous international conferences, including TEDx, Hannover Messe, and World Summit AI. In 2023, Daria was included in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list, which highlights inspirational personalities from the fields of art, business, sports, and medicine. ### David Bečvařík - Position: CTO at Etnetera - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: How to Transform Companies into AI-First Organizations (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:45, AI Academy room) He is responsible for the technology strategy of the entire group at a time when AI is fundamentally changing how companies deliver software. He spent nine years at Red Hat, progressing from DevOps Engineer to leading Solution Architecture for the Czech Republic and Slovakia, where he designed technical solutions for major enterprise clients. At Heureka, he consolidated three monolithic platforms operating across nine countries into a single shared architecture and migrated them to the cloud. He has long advocated for secure agentic automation as a key part of how companies should approach technology—and this will also be the perspective he brings to the workshop. ### David Durman - Position: CEO & Founder of Appmixer - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software - Appearances: AI Agents and Automation Inside Your Product: How to Offer Them to Customers Without a Year of Development (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddurman/ I enjoy creating software products. I have spent most of my career developing them—from APIs and user interfaces to process automation, visual tools, AI, and IoT. My entrepreneurial journey began in 2010 with the JointJS project. Today, it is among the most widely used libraries for building interactive diagrams and is used by companies such as IBM, Oracle, NATO, Airbnb, and Boeing. We later applied our experience of building a bootstrapped company and an international team to the creation of Appmixer. It helps software companies embed native integrations, automation, and AI agents directly into their products—without having to develop everything from scratch. When I am not focused on the product and team, I spend time with my wife and our three sons on our family farm, where we care for an orchard and make our own cider. ### David Graham - Position: Managing Partner at Dyrectli Capital - Categories: Investors - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dguk/ David is a serial founder and investor with more than 20 years of experience building and exiting early stage ventures. As Managing Partner of Dyrectli Capital he bridges the fundraising gap for founders through a three pillared approach consisting of a proprietary advisory framework for institutional readiness strategic hands on support and a capital syndicate focused on the alternative asset space. To date David has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs navigate their first and most difficult fundraising rounds. Beyond advisory David is a founder of RezonateOne an operating system designed to empower music artists in building sustainable and independent careers. David’s commitment to the ecosystem extends through his roles as a mentor advisor and active investor. A frequent speaker and industry panelist David is a vocal advocate for founder centric leadership. He shares his insights through YB4I a Substack and resource platform focused on establishing your why before seeking investment dedicated to founders who lead with conviction not ego. ### David Křivanec - Position: Hybrid Cloud Specialist at Hewlett Packard Enterprise - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: AI Applications: From Idea to Production in 45 Minutes — Locally Too! #1 (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Křižík); AI Applications: From Idea to Production in 45 Minutes — Locally Too! #2 (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-krivanec/ David works at HPE as a hybrid cloud solutions specialist. He helps organizations connect their on-premises infrastructure with the cloud and focuses on deploying AI platforms, machine learning, and advanced analytics in enterprise environments. ### David Škrobánek - Position: Founder of the Good Dad (Dobrý táta) Initiative - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Fatherhood in Times of Change: The Hidden Potential of Working Fathers (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, ELAI); Fatherhood in the Age of AI: What Will Our Children Really Need? (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–11:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidskrobanek/ Coach, mentor, keynote speaker, former HR director, and founder of the Good Dad initiative. David Škrobánek addresses topics that fundamentally influence our lives and work: modern fatherhood, relationships, men's mental health, leadership, and the future of our children. He explains why what we experience at home cannot be separated from how we function at work, and why strong relationships, psychological resilience, and the ability to manage different life roles are prerequisites for the long-term performance of both people and companies. He spent almost 20 years in HR at international companies, including his final four years as HR Director for Northern Europe, based in London. He led teams across multiple countries and focused on leadership development, corporate culture, and employee engagement. He founded the Good Dad initiative, which helps men become the fathers they themselves would want to have. He organizes the Father in the 21st Century conference, runs an academy for fathers, delivers corporate seminars and workshops, and hosts his own podcast, Good Dad — Conversations Not Only for Fathers. As a coach, mentor, and speaker, he combines business experience with insights from psychology, leadership, and parenting. His work is also grounded in his personal story as a father of five who went through major life changes and learned that true resilience is not only about handling work, but life as a whole. He received the Creative Hero award and was a finalist in the ESG Awards. His appearances include the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, Czech Television, DVTV, Trochu jinak s Adélou, Radiožurnál, and Frekvence 1. ### David Tucapsky - Position: Patent Attorney at Plasseraud IP - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Travel, Transport & Logistics, Legal & Regulatory, Space & Beyond, Energy & Resources - Appearances: AI Patents: Landscape, Protection Strategies, and Impact on Practice (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-tucapsky-93a9941b7/ David Tucapsky is a European and Czech Patent Attorney, and UPC Representative at Plasseraud IP. He advises public institutions, SMEs, and large international groups in the protection and defense of their patent portfolio, from filing to granting, as well as opposition and litigation procedures. His portfolio includes clients in the aerospace, automotive, optics, energy, and electronics fields. He studied at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Technical University of Ostrava, and his field of study was focused on Aviation Technology. David joined Plasseraud IP early after his studies in 2015. ### Dean Brabec - Position: Experience Director at ČSOB - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: From Customer Feedback to Innovation: Managing Customer Experience Across a Large Organization (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanbrabec/ Dean Brabec is Director of Customer Experience at ČSOB. He leads customer experience management and customer insights initiatives aimed at helping the organization better understand customer needs and translate them into meaningful business action. His focus is on driving customer-centric transformation, improving end-to-end experiences, and embedding the voice of the customer into decision-making across the organization. ### Diana Kosová - Position: Head of AI Personality and Interaction at DiusAI - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: The Human Limit: Success, Burnout & Well-being in an Always on world (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-kosova-13469099/ Diana Kosová is Head of AI Personality and Interaction at DiusAI, responsible for the human side of how Jarvis, the company's personal AI assistant, behaves, remembers and communicates. Since September 2026 she has also led DiusAI's SOFON Lab, a circle of psychologists, neuroscientists, cognitive scientists and sociologists translating human behaviour into something AI can understand. Her route into AI runs through mathematics and psychology. She holds a master's degree from Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica in teaching mathematics and physical education, including a state examination in psychology, then trained in coaching with sports psychologist Tomáš Gurský and in solution-focused child coaching (Kids' Skills, Dalet Institute). She worked as a mental coach, co-authored Kouč 21. storočia, a sports-psychology handbook for hockey coaches and parents, and taught self-development and communication to MBA students and International Ice Hockey Federation coaches and managers. After nine years in energy education at the Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency, she directed the Projects and Development Department of Hockey Slovakia and served as CEO of SZĽH Infra, leading hockey development and building new ice arenas. She later directed the Slovak Olympic and Sports Museum and trained coaches in the Coaches in School programme; today she is chief methodologist of Pohybom k pohode, the Ministry of Education's national programme for more physical activity in children's lives. A 2011 women's ball hockey world champion and gold-medal-winning coach at the 2020 Youth Olympics, she brings hands-on understanding of how people learn, decide and change to building AI that understands humans. ### Dušan Vystrčil - Position: Product Manager at Apify - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: How to Feed Your AI Agents with Data (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dusanvystrcil/ Product Manager on Apify's AI team, working on AI agents, MCP, and Agent Skills. For the past few years he's been bouncing between product, AI engineering, and data architecture. ### Edwin Haschka - Position: Presales Consultant and Solution Architect at Asseco Solutions - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software, ICT & Municipality, Digitalization & Transformation, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Helios Is Much More Than ERP: Discover the Open Ecosystem of Business Applications of the Future (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwin-haschka-93793b8a/ Edwin Haschka pracuje jako Presales Consultant a Solution Architect se zaměřením na digitalizaci výrobních společností. Během své pětileté kariéry se podílel na široké škále úspěšných implementací systému Helios, kde kombinuje své technické znalosti s hlubokým porozuměním potřebám výrobních firem. ### Elena Berendeeva - Position: Product Manager at Jetbrains - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software - Appearances: What happened when we let non-devs into the codebase (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berendeeva-elena/ Elena is a Product Manager at JetBrains who spent the last few years building 0-to-1 AI products – through pivots, sunsets, and a lot of uncertainty. She explores AI-native workflows and the evolving role of developers and PMs in agentic product development. ### Elena Simciuc - Position: CEO of LevelUP Academy & Founder of NGO IMPULS - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory, Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation, She=Business - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elena-simciuc/ Elena Simciuc is CEO of LevelUP Academy, PhD in Economics. Expert with 15+ years of experience in managing innovation projects (budgets exceeding €3.5 million). Specialist in attracting non-reimbursable EU funding for digital projects. A practitioner who personally implements AI bots and agents for HR, education, and marketing. International speaker and Web Summit participant. ### Eleni Gkouti - Position: Director & Technical Architect at Mastercard - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation, IoT, Security & Privacy - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleni-gkouti-010614108/ Eleni Gkouti is a Director, Technical Architect at Mastercard and a recognized expert in digital payments, emerging commerce technologies, and financial innovation. She works across Central Europe to help financial institutions, fintechs, acquirers, and merchants navigate the rapidly evolving payments landscape and unlock new growth opportunities through technology-driven transformation. Specializing in Agentic Commerce, digital identity, tokenization, and stablecoin-enabled payment ecosystems, Eleni focuses on bridging innovation with practical business applications. She works closely with industry partners to design and implement next-generation payment experiences that are secure, seamless, and scalable. Her expertise spans both the technical and strategic dimensions of payments innovation, helping organizations translate emerging technologies into tangible customer and business value. Throughout her career, Eleni has contributed to initiatives that connect traditional financial services with the next wave of digital commerce. She is passionate about the role of artificial intelligence, digital identity, blockchain-based technologies, and tokenization in shaping the future of payments and commerce. Her work enables organizations to better understand technological change and leverage it to enhance security, customer experience, and operational efficiency. As a frequent speaker and industry representative, Eleni shares insights on the future of commerce, payment innovation, digital transformation, and the opportunities created by emerging technologies. She is particularly interested in how trusted digital ecosystems can support more intelligent, personalized, and connected consumer experiences. Through her work at Mastercard, Eleni is helping shape the future of secure, intelligent, and inclusive digital commerce, driving innovation at the intersection of technology, payments, and customer experience. ### Elizabeth Doran - Position: AI & Transformation Strategist at Impact Edge - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Entertainment & Creative AI, She=Business, Digitalization & Transformation, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: The AI-Native Generation: How GenZ and Gen Alfa thinks, works and creates (Thu 1 Oct 14:30–15:20) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizdoran07/ Elizabeth Doran is a catalyst for transformation with over two decades of leadership at the intersection of art, strategy, and innovation. As a former CEO of renowned theater organizations, she has overseen hundreds of productions that captivated global audiences, collaborating with Oscar, Tony, and Grammy-winning talent. Passionate about social impact, she has created art in diverse settings—from prisons and recovery centers to Broadway stages and international festivals. Offstage, Elizabeth is known for driving bold strategies that redefine organizations and inspire communities. In 2023, Elizabeth made a major leap, uprooting her family from the US to Europe. Now based in Belgium, she runs her own management consulting firm and conducts research at VUB’s ArtScience Group in Brussels. Combining expertise in storytelling, community-building, and systems design, Elizabeth helps teams navigate complex transitions—from adopting new technologies to fostering collaborative cultures. She specializes in guiding individuals and companies to release limiting structures, creating space for meaningful change. Her upcoming book, How to Leave Just About Anything, offers a humorous and compassionate roadmap for navigating life’s transitions. Combining personal insights with actionable advice, it empowers readers to break free from limiting mindsets, habits, and environments. A Herman Fellow for Women in Entrepreneurship, Elizabeth earned her MBA from Rensselaer (a US university steeped in space research and technological innovation), where she honed a strategic, future-focused approach to leadership. She sees strong parallels between the journeys of artists, entrepreneurs, and scientists, and her work explores the intersections of art, innovation, and human potential. Elizabeth equips individuals and organizations to shed outdated systems and embrace opportunities for transformation. ### Eva Hájková - Position: Founder of the Institute of Functional Medicine and Nutrition (IFMV) & Founder and Co-owner of Puravia - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, E-commerce & Retail, Social Impact - Appearances: Nutrition & Supplements: Science or Marketing? (Sat 3 Oct 14:00–14:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgr-eva-hajkova-mph-mba-27400118?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios Eva Hájková, Mgr., MPH, MBA, is a Czech public health and prevention specialist, entrepreneur, and educator with more than 15 years of international experience in preventive health, functional medicine, and nutrition. Her professional journey has taken her from epidemiology and public health within the NHS in London to several years of work and study in Australia. She is the founder of the Institute of Functional Medicine and Nutrition (IFMV), established in 2018, where she brings together healthcare professionals and educates physicians, pharmacists, nutritionists, and the public. She is also the founder and co-owner of Puravia and serves as the expert guarantor for Puravia LABS, helping to develop evidence-based, clean-label supplements. Eva’s work connects science, prevention, education, and entrepreneurship. She focuses on translating complex health data and scientific knowledge into practical strategies that help people and organisations function sustainably—without sacrificing health for performance. ### Eva Mária Kotorová - Position: Regulatory Expert at PsychedelicsEUROPE - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, Health & Biotech - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eva-mária-kotorová-3b3373107/ Eva Kotorová is a regulatory affairs expert at PsychedelicsEUROPE, a Brussels-based platform that brings together policymakers, regulators, researchers, and businesses to foster collaboration, disseminate best practices, and facilitate the implementation of a new regulatory framework across Europe. Eva advocates for evidence-based policies that support the medical use of psychedelic substances for those in need, driving the innovation and helping to shape the future of mental healthcare. In addition to her policy expertise, Eva is the co-founder of Corridor Citoyen Suisse, an NGO dedicated to providing humanitarian aid and facilitating evacuations for individuals fleeing war zones. ### Eva Šťastná - Position: Head of Partnership at AC Sparta Praha - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: She=Business, Social Impact - Appearances: Sparta as You’ve Never Seen It Before. (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:20) Eva has been working in the sports industry for more than 25 years. Throughout her career, she has gained extensive experience across a wide range of sports sectors, from Paralympic sport to the personal management of elite individual athletes. She has built significant expertise in developing strategic partnerships, leading effective communications, and creating business opportunities that contribute to the growth of both sports organizations and their partners. She entered the world of professional football in 2021 when she joined AC Sparta Praha. Today, she leads the Partnership Care Department and is responsible for developing and managing the partnership ecosystem of one of Central Europe's most prominent sports clubs. Together with her team and colleagues across the club, she creates innovative partnerships built on long-term value, commercial impact, and authentic connections between brands and Sparta's fan community. Eva actively contributes to advancing the standards of sports sponsorship in the Czech Republic. Her focus is on developing strategic collaborations, maximizing the commercial potential of club assets, and identifying new ways to deliver measurable value to partners through sport, content, digital platforms, and fan experiences. Her work is founded on the belief that modern partnerships should be built on shared values, mutual trust, and the long-term development of all stakeholders involved. ### Fabrizio Morgera - Position: Senior EIB Investment Officer at the European Investment Bank - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Space & Beyond, IoT, Security & Privacy, Robotics & Automation, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: EIB Growth Financing (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fabrizio-morgera-06a137/ Fabrizio Morgera, Senior Investment Officer, European Investment Bank. Over 25 years of experience in both private equity and venture capital industry. He has worked for both mid-sized buy-out and growth capital private equity funds, covering the information technology and industrial sectors. In 2016 he joined the EIB’s Growth Capital & Innovation Finance team to further develop the Bank’s Venture and Quasi-Equity strategy. He is a graduate of the University of Roma Tre, Masters in Corporate Finance in Bocconi University and Executive Course in Space at ISU. ### Fergus O'Sullivan - Position: Chief editor of Startup Kitchen - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Technologies & Hardware, AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation Fergus is a journalist at Startup Kitchen who currently covers Czechia, Poland, and Ukraine. He has a keen interest in the startup ecosystems of Central and Eastern Europe, and has travelled extensively throughout the region. Before coming to Prague, he wrote about startups in Western Europe, and likes to compare his old and new beats. ### František Benko - Position: CTO at Binturonix - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: The Modern Hybrid Company in the AI Era: Three Migrations, a Rebrand and Our Own Sales Tool (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frantisek-benko/ A systems administrator and cloud architect who connects SRE and DevOps with team and project leadership. He builds strong technical teams, streamlines processes and designs stable, scalable solutions that support high availability and company growth. ### František Jungr - Position: Head of Product at Visa for Central & Eastern Europe - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, IoT, Security & Privacy, Digitalization & Transformation, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: Beyond Bitcoin: Digital Identity, AI & the Future of Trust (Thu 1 Oct 15:10–15:55); The Agents Are Ready. ARE WE READY? Trust, Payments, and the Future of AI Beyond the Chat Window (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Newton) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frantisek-jungr-a35ab514/ František Jungr is Director of Product Division at Visa for Central and Eastern Europe. He has been with Visa since 2013 and in his current role he is responsible for the overall product area from debit and credit cards, benefits, premium products, digital services, APIs to innovation and collaboration. At Visa, František has led, for example, the introduction of contactless payments on public transport in Central and Eastern Europe. Thanks to him and his team, we can also use new payment methods in e-commerce such as Click to Pay or Visa Mobile in Poland. In the past, he worked for UniCredit Bank or served as chairman of the Czech Bank Card Association. ### František Mičánek - Position: Senior Advisor for Defence at EY - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Defence Tech & Cybersecurity Since summer 2026, he has been working as a Senior Advisor for Defence at EY, where he joined the Business Consulting team. He also serves as a security analyst/expert and Executive Director of CEBES at CEVRO University. Between 1988 and 2013, he held a range of command and staff positions, eventually serving as Director of the Capability Planning Division of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. From 2016 to 2019, he worked at the NATO Defense College in Italy, where he served as Dean. His areas of expertise include security risk management, emerging technologies in defence and security, and strategic communications. ### Galeno Chua - Position: Founder of Optomize.io, HowLegit & Leading with Empathy - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026, Moderator - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Social Impact, Entertainment & Creative AI - Appearances: Humanity 2030: Who Really Benefits from Progress? (Thu 1 Oct 09:05–09:55); AI & Carbon Footprint: How Technology Is Transforming Energy (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mr-g-galeno-chua-7692b792/ Mr. G is an ai and greentech startup founder, and business coach for startups for the New Zealand Government, United Nations Development Programme in Cambodia and for the Social Tides programme for AI and impact startups across the EU. His sustainable business approach has won him the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation's Green Business Awards and helped push the sustainable business agenda for organizations such as the United Nations and Oxfam to the Royal Government of Cambodia. He has a strong belief that empathy, great design and tech-fluency are key life skills to both personal and professional success, and is currently on a mission to solve real world issues through empathy, entrepreneurship and principled leadership. ### Gašpar Nagy - Position: CEO & Founder of Techmates - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Agentic AI: How AI Stopped Answering and Started Acting (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaspar-nagy/ Gaspar leads Techmates – a rapid-response unit for AI transformation and IT revitalization. He helps companies separate real value from hype and implement artificial intelligence in a way that delivers measurable business impact. In addition to AI, he focuses on IT revitalization—identifying weak spots, eliminating technical debt, and building solid technological foundations for the future. ### Gedeon Drapák - Position: Founder of Eden Makers - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Entertainment & Creative AI, Next-Gen Media, Software - Appearances: A Commercial in 45 Minutes: We’ll Make It Right Here, Right Now (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–14:45, Křižík) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gedeondrapak/ Gedeon Drapák is among the most respected Czech AI creators and is regarded as the leading AI video specialist in the Czech Republic. He leads the Edenmakers studio, which, under the motto DIRECTED. NOT GENERATED., produces the country’s most advanced AI productions for brands, companies and international film studios. He is the creator of Mindfall Protocol, the largest AI film made in the Czech Republic. For brands such as Allwyn, BMW and Planeo, he produces campaigns in which AI replaces the crew, location and post-production, but never the direction. He works internationally and has more than 50 AI projects and 30 clients from the Czech Republic and abroad to his name. Alongside production, he also trains companies, from full-day workshops to his own courses. He is not a theorist. He is a filmmaker who controls AI, not the other way around, combining traditional filmmaking craft with the latest generative tools. According to clients, this is precisely what makes the difference between generic AI content and a production that can stand alongside conventional advertising. He prefers presenting live, with his laptop open. Instead of slides about the future of AI, he demonstrates on the spot what can be produced now, including prices, workflows and the limits where the technology still fails. Audiences leave his seminars with a ready-to-use process, not just notes. ### Gerd Bommer - Position: Deep Tech Angel Investor & Former Silicon Valley Enterprise Software Executive at Zoenora - Categories: Investors - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Green Tech & Environment, Health & Biotech, IoT, Security & Privacy, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Travel, Transport & Logistics, Legal & Regulatory, Robotics & Automation, Software, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Entertainment & Creative AI, ICT & Municipality, Space & Beyond, Digitalization & Transformation, She=Business, Technologies & Hardware, Energy & Resources, E-commerce & Retail, Next-Gen Media - Appearances: How Startups Grow Before They Scale (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Startup Room); GERD BOOMER: Mindset Before Skillset. Purpose Before Process (Thu 1 Oct 15:25–15:45) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerdbommer/ Gerd Bommer is a business angel, founder first investor, and international business builder with more than 25 years of global experience. He delivers high energy keynotes including his signature talks on Female Founders and on Mature Minds. Young Hearts. He helps founders, leaders, and investors scale organizations and ventures without sacrificing the creativity, speed, and daring that made them successful. Gerd invests early in pre seed and seed stage founders with a strong sense of purpose. He does not invest from the sidelines but with real skin in the game. He creates safe and demanding environments where founders are challenged to think more clearly, decide faster, and lead more strongly. Gerd encourages audiences to pause, reflect, and make more conscious and disciplined decisions about growth, funding, and alignment, blending untamed energy with deep purpose. His talks inspire leaders and founders to see scaling not as a trade off but as a continuum of mindset evolution, clarity, and long term value creation. ### Gerhard Knop - Position: Transformation Consultant, Partner to CEOs and Leadership Teams at 100UPAT s.r.o. - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: AI F*ckups, or AI as FOMO: Why Even the Best AI Initiatives Fail Without Direction (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerhard-knop-04449221 Hi, I'm Gerhard. For more than 20 years, I have helped companies manage changes that affect their operations, culture and management. I work with business owners, CEOs and management teams on transformation programs, reorganizations, new ways of working, system implementations and leadership development. Throughout my career, I have seen dozens of projects intended to change a company. Some succeeded. Many did not. The deciding factor was almost never the technology itself; it was whether people understood the purpose of the change, believed in its direction and were willing to follow it. In recent years, the same patterns have emerged in AI projects. Companies invest in new tools but often underestimate the hardest parts: decision-making, leadership, managing expectations and earning people's trust. I am therefore most interested in why some transformations succeed while others end as expensive lessons without real impact. I believe technology can be a powerful accelerator of change. But it can never replace clear direction, accountable leadership and the ability to make decisions even when we do not have all the answers. ### Gioia Arieti - Position: Analog Astronaut, AI Transformation Expert & Founder of Wide Time - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Space & Beyond, AI & Machine Learning - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gioia-arieti/ Gioia Arieti leads large-scale digital transformation and AI adoption projects that disrupt traditional business models. As an analog astronaut, TEDx speaker, and award-winning designer, she brings an unconventional lens to organizational change. She is also the founder of Wide Time, a methodology born in space exploration and built for Earth: helping leaders apply astronaut-inspired principles to drive innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable change. ### Hana Čepová - Position: Co-founder of the organization of Právě teď! o.p.s. - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Social Impact - Appearances: The Greatest Technological Challenge of the Next 20 Years Will Not Be AI. It Will Be Us—An Ageing Society (Sat 3 Oct 12:00–12:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanacepova/ For more than 20 years, she ran an advertising agency. Today, she focuses on ageing and the activation of older adults—work that can save society considerable resources. Her perhaps somewhat unusual hobby is cybersecurity. ### Hana Kučerová - Position: Former CEO of Opero and CEO of Matika Česku - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner: How to Network #1 (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Networking Lab); Nobody Puts Baby in a Corner: How to Network #2 (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Networking Lab) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hana-ku%C4%8Derov%C3%A1-35ba3574/ Hana Kučerová, former CEO of the Opero business hub, was involved in developing its community and business programs from the very beginning. She has long focused on connecting people across industries and making sure every meeting has a clear purpose and tangible outcome. She currently leads the Matika Česku project. ### Hana Müllerová - Position: CEO of Baby Office - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, She=Business, Energy & Resources - Appearances: Parents in the Workplace Aren’t a Problem—They’re a Competitive Advantage (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanamullerova/ Hana Müllerová has long been dedicated to promoting family-friendly workplace cultures and developing the Baby Office concept. She helps organizations create environments where parents can balance their professional and family lives without compromising their career ambitions. Her company provides childcare facilities at events and workplaces, organizes day camps for employees’ children, and creates family-focused events. She is also a coach, mentor, and mental health ambassador. Together with her daughter, Jana Krejčí, she leads workshops focused on mental wellbeing and the intergenerational transmission of family patterns. Her work combines experience in HR, education, and personal development, helping companies build environments where people can grow and thrive. As a mother of three, Hana draws inspiration not only from her professional experience but also from everyday life. This gives her a strong understanding of the needs of both parents and employers and helps her identify solutions that work for both sides. In her free time, she enjoys sports, reading, and writing. She is passionate about connecting people, ideas, and new opportunities, exploring deeper connections, and opening conversations that contribute to healthier workplace relationships and more fulfilling lives. ### Hana Nechvátalová - Position: Nutrition & Regulatory Manager at HERO Czech - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, Health & Biotech, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: Who Can We Trust Today? Truth, Myths and Half-Truths in the World of Nutrition (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hana-nechvatalova-8a301b17/ Ing. Hana Nechvátalová graduated from the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague and has worked in nutrition, food quality and food legislation throughout her professional career. As a nutrition expert, she connects the worlds of science, regulation and consumer needs—from nutritional product assessment to interpreting specialist topics in the context of everyday nutrition. For her, nutrition is not merely a professional field; she also devotes her free time to the subject. She shares her many years of experience as an instructor for NutriAcademy courses, helping educate future nutrition professionals, and also serves as a member of the examination board. This allows her to bring both an expert and practical perspective to nutrition in everyday life. ### Helena Čížková - Position: Sales at Datlab - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Robotics & Automation, IoT, Security & Privacy, Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Business partner risk monitoring without AI (almost) - how and why (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helenacizkova/ Helena is a member of Datlab’s sales team. With a strong customer focus, she connects companies’ needs with smart solutions that simplify and improve the efficiency of risk management. ### Horst Treiblmaier - Position: University Professor at Modul University Vienna - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Beyond Bitcoin: Digital Identity, AI & the Future of Trust (Thu 1 Oct 15:10–15:55) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/treiblmaier/ Professor at Modul University Vienna Horst Treiblmaier is a Full Professor, VP for Teaching and Artificial Intelligence, and Head of the School of International Management at Modul University Vienna. Previously, he was a Visiting Professor at Purdue University, UCLA, and UBC. His research interests include the business implications of blockchain and artificial intelligence, the evolution of Web3, and digital transformation in general. He teaches blockchain-related topics and frequently speaks at academic conferences and industry events. He participated in various EU programs and worked for the European Technology Platform ALICE (Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe). His work has appeared in leading academic journals such as Information Systems Journal, Structural Equation Modeling, Business & Information Systems Engineering, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Internet Research, Information & Management, Communications of the AIS, Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Electronic Commerce Research, and Schmalenbach Business Review. He is a research associate at the UCL Centre for Blockchain Technologies and a member of the INATBA Academic Advisory Body. In 2022, he won the Blockchain Frontier Award from the Blockchain Research Institute (BRI). Currently, he serves on the academic advisory board of DLT Austria and the Digital Asset Association Austria (DAAA). ### Ilona Mančíková - Position: Partner at Armstrong Studio and Founder of Moje plíce - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Health & Biotech - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilonamancikova/ After a lung cancer diagnosis in 2021 Ilona Mančíková transformed her personal challenge into a mission to improve patient care. She founded the nonprofit organization Moje plíce focused on supporting lung cancer patients and raising awareness about the disease especially its occurrence among nonsmokers and the importance of early detection. Early diagnosis significantly increases the chances of survival. X ray and CT screening supported by artificial intelligence help detect lung cancer in its earliest stages which allows less invasive treatment faster recovery and lower healthcare costs. Under Ilona’s leadership Moje plíce explores new technologies with the goal of improving patient care and making healthcare processes more efficient. She also launched the campaign Nekašli na to to support lung screening and modern diagnostic tools. Thanks to her professional experience in real estate development Ilona also advocates for clean air and a sustainable lifestyle because she recognizes their direct impact on health. Through public speaking and community initiatives she encourages responsible decisions for individuals and for the planet. At Týden inovací she will share her insights on modern technologies patient care and sustainability to inspire others to use innovative solutions for a healthier future. Today she is also a partner at Armstrong Studio where she invests in AI driven startups that transform the entrepreneurial journey of first time founders and significantly increase the efficiency of startup accelerators. ### Iman Lamrani - Position: Founder & CEO of Eximium - Categories: Panel discussion - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, IoT, Security & Privacy, Software - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imanlamrani/ Iman is the Belgo-Moroccan founder of Eximium, based in London and active in the Belgian tech ecosystem. With over a decade of experience in talent acquisition and international scaling, she has helped 20+ startups and scale-ups build high-performing teams. Iman partners closely with founders from Seed to Series B, aligning talent strategy with business goals to drive sustainable growth. Her expertise lies in hiring the right people at the right time, ensuring teams are not only skilled but also culture-fit and future-ready. ### Ivan Doboš - Position: Head of Quantum technologies at Aricoma - Categories: Homepage 2026, Panel discussion - Verticals: Technologies & Hardware, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Quantum Computing: When Will the Revolution Become Business? (Fri 2 Oct 13:30–14:20) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivan-dobos-8864919 Ivan Doboš is an IT leader with more than 30 years of experience in the IT sector. He holds the position of Technology Evangelist & Head of Quantum at Aricoma. He has worked in several leading IT companies in Slovakia and abroad and has extensive experience in team leadership, strategic planning and technology innovation. He has implemented IT solutions for major organisations and managed multi-million-dollar programs and projects. Currently, he focuses on quantum computing, particularly its practical application and popularisation. ### Ivana Šedivá - Position: Board Member, Executive & Startup Mentor, Keynote Speaker - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026, Keynote - Appearances: Pitch Is Not the Point: How Startups Win the Decision (Thu 1 Oct 12:25–12:45); Are We Getting Smarter — or Just More Dependent? Life, Leadership & AI Agents (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:50); Leadership Toolbox: Decide What Matters—Influence What Happens (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, Archimedes); TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 2 (Sat 3 Oct 14:20–16:00) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanasediva/ Ivana Sediva is a board member, executive and startup mentor, keynote speaker and executive educator working with boards, executives, startup founders and emerging leaders. She has nearly 30 years of experience in C-suite and board roles, including Johnson & Johnson and McDonald’s, with a strong track record in leadership, strategy, growth, transformation, communication and turning strategy into results. Ivana has mentored more than 1,000 startups globally and cooperates with Google for Startups and Plug and Play. She also supports senior leaders, business owners and speakers in high-stakes communication, public speaking, influence, negotiation and decision-making. Her work connects clarity, influence and impact. She helps people and teams ask better questions, decide what matters and communicate in a way that creates trust, alignment and action. Ivana studied Artificial Intelligence, Business and Journalism. ### Ivo Kadlic - Position: Chief Business Officer at ANYCOIN - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto - Appearances: Beyond Bitcoin: Digital Identity, AI & the Future of Trust (Thu 1 Oct 15:10–15:55) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivo-kadlic-780763100/ Chief Business Officer in the biggest czech crypto exchange ANYCOIN, focusing on business development, marketing, and strategic partnerships. He actively contributes to the company’s management and strategy while identifying new growth opportunities. By connecting commercial objectives with the needs of clients and partners, he helps turn new ideas into successful projects and measurable results. ### Jaime Alcaide - Position: Head of the Economic and Commercial Office, Embassy of Spain in Prague at ICEX Spain Trade & Investment - Categories: Homepage 2026, Panel discussion - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Deep Tech Now: What’s Next for Europe? (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:45) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-alcaide-arranz/ Jaime Alcaide is a Spanish State Economist and Trade Expert, representing ICEX in Czechia. He has developed his career across the public sector and the private financial sector, with experience in international trade, investment, economics and finance. His work focuses on strengthening bilateral trade, investment and business cooperation, particularly in strategic and innovative sectors. ICEX supports companies and startups in their internationalization, promotes the country’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem, and attracts international investment, connecting companies, investors and partners across markets. ### Jakub Bakule - Position: Managing Director at NMS - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: The AI Gap: Segmenting Czech Employees in the AI Era (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:45, Archimedes); AI and the Future of Research: What If We Stop Asking People? (Fri 2 Oct 14:30–14:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakub-bakule/ Jakub Bakule is Managing Director at NMS, a leading Central European research agency specializing in quantitative and qualitative studies across consumer, B2B, and public affairs sectors. He holds a PhD in Political Science and is a President of the Cultural and Creative Federation of the Czech Republic. Currently his primary focus is on building AI literacy across the research workforce. The goal is to enable researchers in NMS to leverage AI effectively. He priorities AI-driven researchers over AI products. Beyond commercial research, Jakub focuses on societally relevant topics, e.g. democracy, digital wellbeing of children or culture. ### Jakub Havel Skala - Position: founder, lector, manager of HW Lab Praha - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Robotics & Automation, Software, Entertainment & Creative AI, ICT & Municipality, Digitalization & Transformation, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Try 3D Printing for Yourself #1 (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–11:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #2 (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–15:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #3 (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–11:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #4 (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–15:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #5 (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–11:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #6 (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–14:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #7 (Sat 3 Oct 15:00–16:45, HW Lab - 3D printing) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakub-havel-skala-855b66206/ Jakub is an architect, but instead of buildings, he is building a community of makers, DIY enthusiasts, and repairers in Prague. He focuses on developing public workshops and creating accessible spaces where people can work on hardware and bring their own projects to life. Through repair and hands-on experimentation, he aims to help people better understand how machines work while developing their own practical skills. In doing so, he contributes to a broader culture of making, improving, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Prague. ### Jakub Koudelka - Position: CEO of Mo.one - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: E-commerce & Retail, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Legal & Regulatory - Appearances: Who Controls the Future of Money? (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:50); Pay by Instant Transfer. No Card, No Terminal. Tap Your Phone and It’s Paid. (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakub-koudelka-moone/ Jakub Koudelka is the CEO of Mo.one, a licensed Czech payment institution — and an attorney who never left the law, still a partner in his firm. The combination is the point: he reads payments regulation as a product specification rather than a compliance chore. He co-authored the analysis that led the Czech National Bank to issue Opinion RS2025-28, which defines the minimum user experience banks must deliver when a customer pays through someone else's app, and names the obstacles they may no longer put in the way. It applies to every bank in the country. Flows that had quietly kept open banking unusable for years — extra consent screens, detours, needless steps between a merchant and the customer's banking app — were reclassified from security measures into regulatory defects. The Czech market is now rebuilding them, and because the same obstacles exist across the single market, supervisors elsewhere are reading the same argument. His work since has been the other half of the problem: a compliant interface only matters if paying through it is genuinely fast. He is building a way to pay straight from a bank account that works not only in e-commerce but at the checkout counter, where account-to-account payments have never seriously challenged cards. At Innovation Week he will explain how a single regulatory opinion moved an entire banking market — and what it takes to do that anywhere else in Europe. ### Jakub Varvařovský - Position: Head of Strategy, Projects and Project Management; Manager of the Čitelná Praha Unified Information System at ROPID - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Travel, Transport & Logistics, Social Impact - Appearances: The AI-Driven City: How Smart Infrastructure Will Shape Urban Life (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:50) Jakub Varvarovsky is Head of Strategy, Projects and Project Management at ROPID, the Prague Integrated Transport Authority. He focuses on innovation in public transport, digital passenger services, information systems, mobility hubs, and cross-sector collaboration between public institutions, technology companies, and research organizations. He leads strategic initiatives aimed at improving the passenger experience, accessibility, and the integration of new technologies into urban mobility. Prior to joining ROPID, he served as an advisor to the Czech Government Commissioner for Human Rights, where he worked on communication, education, sustainability, and public policy. He also managed projects focused on social and environmental transformation at Re-set: Platform for Socio-Ecological Transformation and has extensive experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and organizational development across the public, academic, and non-profit sectors. Jakub is a recipient of the Gratias Tibi Award for civic engagement and social innovation. Throughout his career, he has combined technology, innovation, public service, and community-led approaches to address complex societal challenges. ### Jan Andrle - Position: Head of Architecture Design at CAPEXUS s.r.o. - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Space & Beyond - Appearances: A Workplace That Won’t Drive You Crazy (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, Newton) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-andrle-38998459/ Honza has worked in architecture and workplace design for more than ten years. At CAPEXUS, he serves as Head of Architecture Design, leading a team of architects and helping create innovative workplaces. During his career, he has worked on projects for companies such as UniCredit Bank, Siemens and Pfizer. His approach is based on a detailed understanding of the client’s identity and corporate culture, with an emphasis on sustainable and biophilic design. ### Jan Brotánek - Position: Chief Financial Officer at Creatity s.r.o. - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, Legal & Regulatory, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: AI Without Illusions: The Risks Companies Overlook (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-brot%C3%A1nek-79a4aa16a/ Jan Brotánek is the co-founder of Creatity and an expert in connecting technology with business needs. He specializes in project management, low-code development, the Mendix platform, artificial intelligence, and business process automation. He helps organizations accelerate digital transformation, modernize legacy systems, and replace routine tasks with smart, practical, and scalable IT solutions that deliver measurable business value. ### Jan Čurn - Position: CEO of Apify - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Software, Technologies & Hardware, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jancurn/ Jan Čurn is the founder and CEO of Apify – the world’s largest and most trusted marketplace of tools for web data extraction and automation. Jan founded the company in 2015 with Jakub Balada. He started his entrepreneurial career in 2009 with the co-founding of VirtualRig™ Studio, a motion blur software for car photographers. Jan possesses a deep expertise in software engineering, data, startups, product development, and AI. After receiving MSc. in computer science at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University in Prague, he also earned a Ph.D. in artificial intelligence from Trinity College Dublin. Jan is known in the Bay Area and Prague tech circles, where he often talks about software, startups, and AI, and regularly hosts community events. ### Jan Difko - Position: Cloud Data Architect at Billigence - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Unlock Your Company Know-How Hidden in Legacy Systems (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-difko-ba615314a/ Jan Difko is a Cloud Data Architect at Billigence, where he leads the modernization of enterprise data platforms, including cloud migrations, target architecture design and data governance. At Česká spořitelna, he led the adoption of Snowflake in a regulated banking environment. He is a Snowflake Data Superhero, one of the leaders of the Snowflake User Group Czech Republic and a co-host of the Czech Snowflake podcast. He speaks at professional conferences and is a guest lecturer in the MBA program at the Prague University of Economics and Business. ### Jan Hanuš - Position: Founder of mindevity.com - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/honza-hanu%C5%A1-1b209029/?originalSubdomain=cz A long-standing CEO of international companies and a crisis manager. Appointed as CEO by the PPF Group, he turned the long-term loss-making MALL Group profitable and subsequently sold it to the Polish company Allegro. Prior to that, he spent nearly three years as CEO of the Hungarian telecom operator Telenor Hungary, also part of the PPF Group, for which he simultaneously coordinated the acquisition and takeover of mobile operators in four European countries. In the past, he led several FMCG companies, including Emco and Kostelecké Uzeniny. He also launched the vegetarian chain Vegg-Go, which ultimately ceased operations under the strain of the pandemic. He has additionally been involved in the management of food companies such as Douwe Egberts, Vitana, and Yoplait. Currently, he focuses on interim management of change and transformation projects for international companies, primarily in the e-commerce sector. He is also building the platform mindevity.com, dedicated to everyday steps for a healthy and fulfilling life. ### Jan Hruška - Position: Product Director & Head of Consumer Solution CEE at Visa - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, IoT, Security & Privacy, Robotics & Automation, Digitalization & Transformation, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: Do You Understand Today’s Affluent Customers? (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–14:45, Newton) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-hruska-534645a2/ Jan Hruška is Product Director – Head of Consumer Solution for Central and Eastern Europe at Visa. In his role, he leads Visa’s product team across eight CEE markets, focusing on payment products, digital transformation, and the deployment of innovative solutions across the region. His responsibilities also include collaboration with key partners across banking, technology, and fintech, as well as leading strategic projects. With more than ten years of experience in banking and payments, he has a strong background in product innovation and developing customer-focused solutions that connect emerging technologies with evolving consumer needs. ### Jan Hušák - Position: Technical Director of Digital at Škoda Group - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Technologies & Hardware, Travel, Transport & Logistics - Appearances: The AI-Driven City: How Smart Infrastructure Will Shape Urban Life (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/husak/ Jan is an accomplished technology leader with more than 20 years of professional experience in the development of advanced communication, railway, and industrial automation technologies. He holds several patents in the fields of energy-efficient communication and wireless networks, reflecting his long-standing focus on innovation and practical technological solutions. In 2023, he accepted the prestigious Česká hlava – Industrie Award on behalf of the Škoda team for the development of an anti-collision system for trams. The award recognized the team’s contribution to improving the safety and reliability of urban rail transportation through the application of advanced digital technologies. He is a graduate of the Department of Computer Science at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering of Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), where he specialized in programming real-time safety-critical systems and communication networks. His academic background has provided a strong foundation for his subsequent work at the intersection of software, communications, and safety-critical technologies. Throughout his career, he has successfully established and led several development teams, bringing together technical expertise and effective project leadership. He has also headed major programs focused on the digitalization of railway infrastructure and industrial automation. His experience combines deep technical knowledge with proven leadership in delivering complex technology solutions and driving innovation in highly demanding industrial environments. ### Jan Ježek - Position: Investor & Founder of Longessa - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Energy & Resources - Appearances: Live Longer, Live Better: How Technology Is Changing Our Bodies, Food and Health (Sat 3 Oct 14:00–14:50) Jan Ježek is an entrepreneur with more than three decades of experience building businesses around technology, energy and innovation. He founded ENERGON over 30 years ago, growing it from a small garage-based operation into an established energy company working across power infrastructure, renewable energy and solutions that optimize the relationship between energy production and consumption. His curiosity has always extended beyond his own industry. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jan has spent years exploring the science of health, recovery and human performance, following new research and testing how emerging technologies can meaningfully support the way we feel and function. This curiosity became the foundation for Longessa, a private health club in Prague bringing together science-backed regenerative technologies, experience design and daily rituals for physical and mental wellbeing. His approach is simple: stay curious, question assumptions and turn innovation into something people can actually use in their everyday lives. ### Jan Kyselý - Position: Co-founder and Head of Strategy at Future Sales - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Next-Gen Media, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Anatomy of the LinkedIn Ecosystem: How to Make the World’s Largest Professional Network Work for You (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jankysely/ ### Jan Maňásek - Position: Product Manager at ERTEA SE - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Travel, Transport & Logistics, Energy & Resources, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Automotive at a Crossroads: Electric, Hydrogen or What Comes Next? (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:50) Jan Maňásek works at ERTEA SE as a Product Manager, where he combines business, technology and marketing perspectives on products and their successful market launch. His work focuses on developing a portfolio of premium accessories for mobile devices, identifying new opportunities and finding solutions that bring real added value to customers and business partners. During his professional career, he has gained extensive experience in the field of consumer electronics and mobile accessories. He specializes in market analysis, monitoring technology trends and selecting innovative products that meet dynamically changing user needs. An important part of his work is also cooperation with international manufacturers, business partners and internal teams, helping them to translate technical innovations into successful business projects. ### Jan Moravec - Position: Senior Account Executive at Salesforce - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software - Appearances: Claudeforce: The #1 AI Meets the #1 CRM (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Křižík) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moravec-jan Jan Moravec is a seasoned sales and business development professional with over 15 years of experience across the technology and aviation sectors. He currently serves as a Senior Account Executive at Salesforce, where he helps clients transform their businesses using an AI-first Customer 360 platform. Before joining Salesforce, Jan spent over a decade with Emirates, progressing from Corporate Sales Executive to Senior Sales Executive. In this role, he managed key accounts, developed sales strategies for niche markets, and led corporate contracting and promotional initiatives. Jan holds a Master’s degree in European Political and Administrative Studies from the College of Europe and studied European Studies at Charles University. ### Jan Pich - Position: Cyber Security Director at EY - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Defence Tech & Cybersecurity - Appearances: When an Attack Succeeds: How to Ensure Resilience in the Age of AI (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-pich-152129119/ Cybersecurity Director with more than 13 years of experience in cybersecurity operations, security architecture, threat monitoring, and regulatory compliance. He specializes in helping organizations in highly regulated industries, particularly financial services, energy, and critical infrastructure, strengthen their cyber resilience and meet evolving regulatory requirements. He holds a Master's degree in Security Technologies and Management from Tomas Bata University in Zlín and is a certified CISSP and Microsoft Azure Security Specialist (AZ-500). Throughout his career, he has led complex cybersecurity initiatives across Europe, Asia, and the United States, combining deep technical expertise with strategic advisory capabilities. Prior to joining EY, he spent more than five years leading cybersecurity monitoring, operations, and security architecture teams within a global financial institution operating across ten countries. His responsibilities included the management of Security Operations Centers (SOC), implementation of security technologies, incident response processes, and enterprise security architecture aligned with DevSecOps principles. At EY, he serves as Cybersecurity Director, leading large transformation and compliance programs related to DORA, NIS2, ISO 27001, cloud security, cyber resilience, and security operations. He has successfully delivered cybersecurity assessments, regulatory compliance projects, SOC transformations, and security architecture initiatives for banks, energy companies, pharmaceutical organizations, and critical infrastructure operators. He is a frequent speaker, trainer, and advisor on cybersecurity regulation, cyber resilience, threat detection, and security governance. ### Jan Procházka - Position: Process Automation Specialist at Kyndryl - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Software, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Integrating AI Agents into Business Processes (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hon-prochazka/ Jan Procházka is an IT solution architect with thirteen years of experience automating business processes in large regulated organizations, particularly in banking. He works at Kyndryl (formerly IBM), where he designs and delivers process-automation solutions from the first client conversation through architecture to production operations. Much of his work is devoted to building a platform that serves as the foundation for business-process automation. The goal is to ensure that process management does not remain limited to a single project or team but can scale across the organization. He builds environments in which independent teams can automate their own business processes. He likes bringing automation closer to the business. For example, he created a solution in which business users assemble a process in a simple UI wizard and the result is automatically converted into an executable process — without programming or knowledge of process tools. He currently focuses on integrating AI agents into processes. He builds solutions for client screening and KYC in which AI agents work alongside people: the agent prepares part of the decision, while key steps remain with a human. He is equally at home in development, working with architecture diagrams and presenting to company leadership. ### Jan Rosenthaler - Position: Non-equity Partner at Legitas advokátní kancelář - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory - Appearances: Due Diligence for Investor Entry (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–10:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/ Jan Rosenthaler focuses his practice on start-ups, helping with investments, intellectual property, GDPR, and ESOPs. He is a non-equity partner at the Legitas law firm, which co-founded the Czech Association of Artificial Intelligence. He therefore also helps companies introduce AI safely. Jan is also a doctoral student at a law faculty, specializing in investment in start-ups. ### Jan Smrčka - Position: Director of Development and Strategy at the TEREZA Educational Centre - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Wellbeing as a Path to Resilience in the Age of Digital Overload: Who Is Responsible for Our Stress and How Can We Work with It? (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jancapsmrcka/ Jan Smrčka has long focused on education for sustainable development, climate education, and helping schools implement change in practice. He is Director of Strategy and Development at the TEREZA educational center, which has worked in education for more than 45 years, and for ten years he led the Czech national office of the international Eco-Schools program. He is currently developing the Eco-Campus program for universities and works as a lecturer, methodologist, and mentor to educators and school leaders. He connects sustainability, climate literacy, participation, and innovative forms of education. He has also designed several strategy games and serves as an ambassador for the European Climate Pact. ### Jan Štěpánovský - Position: Chief Information Officer (CIO) of CETIN Czech Republic - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: The Rise of Agentic AI - From Artificial Intelligence to Collective Intelligence (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-štěpánovský-6477389?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android Jan Štěpánovský is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of CETIN Czech Republic and a leader in digital transformation focused on harnessing artificial intelligence, data, automation, and modern digital platforms. He is responsible for strategic programs including AI Governance, Data Governance, OneNetwork, and the development of the Data-Centric Platform, all of which support CETIN's transformation into a data-driven technology company. Throughout his career, he has focused on bridging technology, business, and innovation to create measurable value and sustainable competitive advantage in the digital economy. ### Jan Tomíšek - Position: Attorney-at-law, Partner at the Law Firm at ROWAN LEGAL - Categories: Homepage 2026, Startups - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory, Software, Technologies & Hardware, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: Your Product Isn't Yours. Until You Have It in Writing. (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Archimedes) Jan specializes in IT law, construction law, and legislation. Within IT law, he focuses primarily on cybersecurity, personal data protection, digitalization, electronic signatures and identification, software law, and support for startups. For startups, he particularly assesses innovative business models and helps set up contractual relationships. ### Jan Tyl - Position: CEO & AI Architect of Alpha Industries s.r.o - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Health & Biotech, Software, Social Impact - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyljan/ Jan Tyl is a Czech expert in artificial intelligence and the founder of Alpha Industries, a company behind the development of digital personalities – so-called digital humans. In his projects, he combines AI with emotional intelligence, psychology, and education. His work focuses on creating ethical and emotionally resonant AI avatars that assist in schools, therapy, as well as in the fields of digital identity and coaching. Among his most well-known projects is DigiHavel – a digital version of Václav Havel – and DigiMetodik, a tool for teachers that uses AI to generate interactive and competency-based lesson plans. He is also the creator of the Hyperprostor platform, which enables the creation of digital humans and experiments with multi-agent systems. His goal is to develop AI that is not only computationally powerful but also emotionally sensitive. Honza has also long been involved in areas such as mental health, longevity, and the future of human relationships in the digital world. He has spoken at dozens of conferences and appeared in the media (Czech Television, Prima, Trend.sk), and regularly publishes articles on the societal impact of AI. In his approach, he combines technical expertise with deep insight into psychology and ethics. He believes that the future of AI lies not only in its performance, but above all in its ability to understand humans – and to help them grow. ### Jana Lvová - Position: General Manager for Mastercard Czechia & Slovakia - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, Technologies & Hardware, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: JANA LVOVÁ: Your Next Customer Might Not Be Human (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:25) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-lvova-6b07518/ Jana Lvová is General Manager for Mastercard Czech Republic and Slovakia, leading the company’s strategy, business growth, and partnerships across both markets. In her role, she works closely with banks, fintechs, merchants, governments, and technology partners to accelerate digital transformation and drive innovation in payments and commerce. With extensive experience in financial services and technology, Jana focuses on helping organizations navigate rapidly changing customer expectations, emerging technologies, and the growing importance of digital ecosystems. Under her leadership, Mastercard continues to support the development of secure, inclusive, and innovative payment solutions that enable businesses and consumers to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Jana is passionate about the intersection of technology, innovation, and business leadership. She actively supports initiatives that foster digitalization, financial inclusion, data-driven decision making, and collaboration between established institutions and emerging innovators. Her work spans traditional banking, fintech partnerships, e-commerce, cybersecurity, digital identity, and the future of payments. As a frequent speaker and industry representative, Jana shares insights on innovation-led growth, digital transformation, evolving consumer behavior, and the opportunities created by new technologies across the financial sector. She believes that successful innovation requires not only technology, but also trust, collaboration, and a strong focus on delivering tangible value for customers and society. Today, she represents Mastercard’s commitment to advancing the future of commerce and helping shape a more connected, secure, and inclusive digital economy. ### Jaroslav Kačmarčík - Position: Product developer at Brainmarket s.r.o. - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Nutrition & Supplements: Science or Marketing? (Sat 3 Oct 14:00–14:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brainmarket-cz/posts/?feedView=all Jaroslav Kačmarčík is a trained chemist who has always been interested in understanding things in depth – how individual processes work in the body at the cellular level and why optimizing them is important for health. This led him to explore how physical and mental performance can be improved, how regeneration can be supported, and how to create optimal conditions for the body to function. At BrainMarket, he works as a Product Developer, contributing to the development and formulation of dietary supplements and creating internal educational materials for employees focused on a healthy lifestyle. He studied chemistry at Charles University and is a certified nutrition and supplementation advisor. He helps people support their performance and health based on their individual goals. ### Jasmína Henni - Position: Investor Relations Manager at JIC - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto - Appearances: 10 Ways to (Not) Get an Investor (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasm%C3%ADna-henni-12662575/ Jasmína Henni has more than 10 years of experience in the startup and investment ecosystem across Europe. She began her career in Vienna, where she built a community of leading tech startups and partnerships with VC funds (Pioneers, 3TS Capital Partners), and later moved into an investment role. She also experienced entrepreneurship first-hand by co-founding and operating the Rafinerija specialty coffee shop and craft beer bar in Slovenia. Today, she builds and develops JIC’s investor network and connects startups with investors. She is an experienced moderator and panel host, having led stages and discussions at events including 4GAMECHANGERS in Vienna, Pioneers Festival and UNTOLD Stories in Budapest. ### Jason Attwood - Position: Solutions Engineer at Cloudflare - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, IoT, Security & Privacy, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity - Appearances: Putting AI into production without losing control of your data (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-attwood/ Jason Attwood is a Solutions Engineer at Cloudflare, working with organisations to architect and validate solutions across network security, Zero Trust, application performance and AI. He began his career as a developer, and that hands-on foundation still shapes how he works: starting from how systems are really built and run, rather than how they look on a diagram. Jason focuses on the point where security and performance requirements meet engineering reality, helping technical and business stakeholders reach designs they can commit to. ### Jiří Guth Jarkovský - Position: Quantum Application Engineer at IQM Quantum Computers - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Quantum Computing: When Will the Revolution Become Business? (Fri 2 Oct 13:30–14:20) - LinkedIn: https://de.linkedin.com/in/guthjarkovsky/cs Dr. Jiri Guth Jarkovsky is a quantum computing specialist. He completed a Master’s degree in Theoretical Physics at the University of Cambridge before pursuing a PhD in Quantum Information Theory at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, where his research focused on the mathematical properties of quantum entanglement. After completing his doctoral work, Dr. Guth Jarkovsky moved into industry and has spent the past four years working as a Quantum Application Engineer at IQM Quantum Computers. In this role, he develops and analyzes quantum algorithms for emerging quantum hardware, working at the intersection of theory, software, and experimental constraints. His work focuses not only on algorithm design but also on identifying and developing practical use cases for quantum computing, including optimization problems such as scheduling and routing. He is the main developer of IQM’s optimization algorithm library. Dr. Guth Jarkovsky is interested in the interface between classical and quantum computation and in developing hybrid algorithms that combine the strengths of both paradigms. He is motivated by uncovering the mathematical structure hidden within real-world challenges and by recognizing how seemingly complex practical problems can often be traced back to elegant fundamental formulations. ### Jiří Holinger - Position: Technical Director at STARMON s.r.o. - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, Travel, Transport & Logistics - Appearances: Digitalization of Railway Signaling Technologies (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, Křižík) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiří-holinger-94b73725 While studying at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague, he began collaborating with Jablotron, where he joined the applied research department. The applied development team was responsible for new GSM technologies. After eight years in Jablonec, he moved to STARMON, a company developing technologies for railways and metro systems. Over fifteen years, he progressed from programmer through head of development to Technical Director. ### Jiří Holub - Position: Practice Lead – AI, Data & Analytics, Software & Application Development at Akkodis - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: The Future of Enterprise AI Has Four Steps. You Can Climb Three of Them Right Now (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiriholub/ Jiří Holub leads the AI, Data & Analytics and Software & Application Development practices at the global engineering and technology company Akkodis. He is responsible for the company’s digital capabilities in the Czech Republic and for turning technological potential into measurable business value. Over two decades in engineering and digitalization, he has built and led multidisciplinary teams of dozens of specialists serving automotive, defence, healthcare, energy and industrial manufacturing. Today he focuses on selecting economically viable AI use cases, moving them from pilot projects into real operations and connecting them to the systems people use every day. He developed a four-stage model of enterprise AI, ranging from personal assistants through knowledge AI and agentic automation to Physical AI and humanoid robotics. He graduated with honours in technical systems development from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen. In his talks and writing, he translates complex topics into language understood by both management and operational teams. He speaks Czech, German and English. ### Jiří Jambor - Position: Co-founder & Business Director, Future Sales - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Next-Gen Media, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Anatomy of the LinkedIn Ecosystem: How to Make the World’s Largest Professional Network Work for You (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jirijambor/ Jirka se posledních 15 let věnuje B2B salesu a obchodním strategiím. Prošel neziskovým sektorem, SMB i korporacemi. V roce 2017 spoluzaložil FUTURE SALES kde působí na pozici obchodního ředitele. Aktuálně pomáhá firmám digitalizovat a zefektivnit obchod i marketing přes sociální síť LinkedIn. ### Jiří Krejčí - Position: manager, content creator at HW Lab Praha - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, ICT & Municipality, Technologies & Hardware, Next-Gen Media - Appearances: Try 3D Printing for Yourself #1 (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–11:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #2 (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–15:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #3 (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–11:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #4 (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–15:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #5 (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–11:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #6 (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–14:45, HW Lab - 3D printing); Try 3D Printing for Yourself #7 (Sat 3 Oct 15:00–16:45, HW Lab - 3D printing) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ji%C5%99%C3%AD-krej%C4%8D%C3%AD-155ab554/ Circular Economy Expert ### Jiří Kubeš - Position: Director of the Healthcare Division, Proton Therapy Center Czech - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Treating Malignant Tumors with Ionizing Radiation: From Tumor Destruction to Immune System Activation (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, Edison) Assoc. Prof. Jiří Kubeš, MD, PhD, is a radiation oncologist, Head Physician and Medical Director at the Proton Therapy Center Czech. He has been with the Prague Proton Therapy Center since it began operations in 2012 and has since been involved in the treatment of thousands of cancer patients. With more than 30 years of experience in radiation oncology, his clinical practice focuses primarily on proton therapy for head and neck cancers and prostate cancer. Alongside his clinical work, he is actively involved in research, publishing, and teaching, and also holds an academic position at the Faculty of Biomedical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU). ### Jiří Kuchyňa - Position: CEO Aireen & Executive Director Channel Lab - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Innovation vs. Reality in Healthcare: Can AI Make Healthcare More Sustainable and patient centric? (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:50) Jiri is long-term active in the innovation environment, supporting start-ups on their way to success. Last years focuses on the area of HealtTech / MedTech to bring the innovations to the real life in this area. Jiri is currently CEO of Aireen, the company bringing the certified medical device to the market with the screening of human retina for the chronic diseases. He is a part of leadership team of Channel Lab Group - company specializing on building the new products in area of personalized medicine. ### Jiří Mach - Position: CEO of Qest technologies - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory, Robotics & Automation, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: AI in Insurance Claims: Governance, Audit and Operational Accountability (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiri-mach/ Jiří Mach stojí od července 2016 v čele Enehano Solutions jako CEO a zakladatel. Enehano přes deset let buduje jako konzultační společnost zaměřená na Salesforce a AI, s ambicí stát se globálním hráčem, s působením v Německu, severských zemích a USA, a klienty jako KBC Group, O2, T-Mobile, productboard nebo Kiwi.com. Firma se věnuje konzultacím a implementaci Salesforce platformy, marketingové automatizaci, zlepšování výkonu obchodu a budování omnichannel zákaznické zkušenosti. Staví AI Laby přímo ve firmách klientů a do projektů přináší AI-Driven SDLC přístup. Tým čerpá z patnácti let zkušeností s enterprise projekty. Od prosince 2023 zároveň jako President vede celý holding Synequs, pod který patří Qest, Enehano i BeHive Data. Zodpovídá za strategii a dlouhodobou vizi holdingu, vede výkonné týmy napříč jednotlivými firmami a vyhledává nové příležitosti, partnerství a akvizice pro rozšíření portfolia. Cílem je propojit CRM, vlastní software a data pod jednu střechu a vytvořit mezi jednotlivými firmami synergii. Od června 2026 je navíc CEO Qest Technologies, AI first softwarové společnosti, která staví digitální produkty a AI řešení pro firmy jako DPD, Heureka, Direct nebo Allegro. Na Innovation Weeku představí spolu s Pavlem Lukešem, Head of Information Technology Department Direct pojišťovny, jak se AI z pilotního nasazení v likvidaci pojistných událostí dostala do provozu, kde se rozhoduje o reálné výplatě. Popíše, co musela firma připravit z pohledu governance, auditu a odpovědnosti, aby AI mohla nést roli v procesu s reálným dopadem na zákazníka. ### Jiří Musil - Position: Senior Sales Manager at AC Sparta Praha - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Sponsorship at AC Sparta Praha (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiri-musil Jiří Musil is a Senior Sales Manager at AC Sparta Praha, one of the most successful and recognized football clubs in Central Europe. He is responsible for developing strategic partnerships with leading national and international brands that help brands connect with one of the most passionate sports communities in the Czech Republic. With extensive experience in sports marketing and partnership sales, he specializes in building long-term, value-driven collaborations that deliver measurable results for both partners and the club. At AC Sparta Praha, he works across sponsorship strategy, partnership activation, hospitality, digital platforms, and business networking initiatives. ### Jiří Skuhrovec - Position: CEO - Datlab - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Robotics & Automation, IoT, Security & Privacy, Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Business partner risk monitoring without AI (almost) - how and why (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiri-skuhrovec-8ba3953/ Data analyst and economist. He specializes in data analysis of public procurement, transparency, and economic security. ### Jiří Tobola - Position: CEO, Logmanager - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: IoT, Security & Privacy, Software - Appearances: From Your First Customer to an Exit: What Didn’t Make It into the Press Release (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jiritobola/ Jiří Tobola is a technology entrepreneur and CEO of the cybersecurity company Logmanager. As co-founder and former CEO of Flowmon Networks, he transformed university technology into a global product and led the company to its acquisition by the US-based Kemp Technologies. In 2024, he took over the leadership of Logmanager, which subsequently accelerated its growth significantly and was acquired by the Danish company Guardsix in 2026. Jiří also works as a mentor and guide for scaleups at JIC. ### Jozef Chebeň - Position: CEO of Binturonix - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: IoT, Security & Privacy, Legal & Regulatory, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Entertainment & Creative AI, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: The Modern Hybrid Company in the AI Era: Three Migrations, a Rebrand and Our Own Sales Tool (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jozef-cheben-a3083a37/ A product manager with more than nine years of experience who helps companies manage their IT and cybersecurity. He has led strategic projects in software development, integrations and partnerships, connecting technical detail with market needs and business goals. ### Jozef Maudry - Position: Managing Partner & Head of Effectivity Labs - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Beyond the Hype: Operational AI (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maudry/ ### Juraj Forgacs - Position: Founder & CEO of Fumbi - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto Juraj Forgacs is the Founder and CEO of Fumbi, a Slovak fintech company with a growing presence across the European Union, focused on digital asset investing. He has played a key role in shaping the local crypto investment landscape and making cryptocurrency investing more accessible, transparent, and secure. Under his leadership, Fumbi has grown into one of Slovakia’s leading crypto investment platforms and became one of the first MiCA-licensed Crypto-Asset Service Providers (CASPs) in the country. ### Juraj Kočar - Position: Healthy lifestyle advocate - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, E-commerce & Retail Juraj Kočar is a founder and technology-minded operator focused on making health and wellbeing more accessible through better products and systems. His interest in health began in 2012, when he started exploring the relationship between food, lifestyle, and wellbeing. This eventually led him to build and support companies across wellness, digital health, and healthcare technology. He is the founder of Wyse Earth, a functional-food company combining modern product development with concepts inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine and natural health. He previously co-founded Attune Health, a digital-health venture exploring accessible methods of health measurement, and served as CEO and business lead of Somavedic Technologies, an international wellness business. Today, Juraj works with Medevio, a healthcare communication platform designed to reduce friction between patients, clinics, and medical staff. His work includes commercial strategy, market expansion, workflow improvement, and the practical use of AI and voice technology in healthcare. He holds a master’s degree in Computer Science, and across his entrepreneurial career, Juraj has worked across product strategy, branding, marketing, operations, partnerships, and international growth. ### Kamil Kunc - Position: Research & Insights Partner at NMS Market Research - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: KAMIL KUNC: One Year On: What Changed When AI Stopped Being New (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–14:20) - LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kamilkunc Kamil Kunc is a senior research leader at NMS Market Research, where he heads strategic projects, designs innovative research concepts, and provides consultancy to clients across industries. With over 25 years of experience in marketing and opinion research, he has worked with commercial companies, public institutions, and the non-profit sector, while also leading a team of account managers and sharing his expertise with students of sociology through seminars and lectures. Graduating in 2000 from the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University with a focus on political-economic sociology, Kamil has witnessed and shaped the transformation of the research field over more than two decades. Today, he sees artificial intelligence as the defining challenge and opportunity of the industry. According to him, AI and advanced language models will not only accelerate data processing but also anticipate human responses in unprecedented ways. Kamil emphasizes that the researcher of the future must be a polymath: combining knowledge across disciplines, creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning. Beyond technical mastery of data models, success will require critical thinking and the ability to interpret insights within broader contexts. Confident in NMS’s tradition of embracing innovation, Kamil is prepared to help steer the research profession into the AI era. ### Kamil Rain - Position: Peer Specialist and Lecturer at Institute Zahrada pro duši - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Wellbeing Doesn’t Happen by Chance (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–10:45, Křižík) He is a senior peer consultant, mentor, and lecturer focusing on mental health and destigmatization, as well as a social worker. He studied social and pastoral work at the ETF (Protestant Theological Faculty) of Charles University. He began his professional career in direct care for children, adolescents, and adults with combined disabilities. He led the Peer Club at the Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital and worked as a destigmatization specialist for the "Na rovinu" (Straight Talk) initiative. He currently works at the Zahrada pro duši Institute, where he supports user-led activities and works to change perceptions of mental illness. Drawing on his own lived experience, he brings an authentic perspective to mental health issues and connects professional knowledge with practical strategies for coping with difficult situations. He runs support groups for university students and trains a wide range of professions – from healthcare workers and public administration staff to people with lived experience of mental illness and their loved ones. He leads seminars for primary schools, secondary schools, and university students on building psychological resilience, focusing on recovery, crisis management, burnout syndrome, mental illness prevention, well-being, and assertiveness. ### Kamila Dvořák - Position: CTO at Neurona Lab - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Software, Technologies & Hardware, AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Behind the Scenes: The Reality of AI Product Development in Healthcare (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:50) Kamila Dvořák works at the intersection of medicine, artificial intelligence, and biomedical engineering, with a focus on turning advanced technologies into practical tools that can support better clinical decision-making and improve patient care. She currently serves as Head of Research and Development at Channel Lab, a group bringing together several Czech health-tech startups, including Aireen, Neurona Lab, Molecula, and Genome X. Across these projects, she leads research and development activities in precision medicine, spanning the full journey from early-stage research and technology development to certified medical software used in clinical practice. She is also CTO of Neurona Lab, where she leads the development of AI-powered tools for the screening, diagnosis, and management of neurodegenerative diseases. Her work focuses on translating complex biomedical data and machine learning methods into solutions that can be meaningfully integrated into real-world healthcare. Her academic background combines biomedical engineering, bioinformatics, and medicine. She studied at Brno University of Technology in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine at Masaryk University, earned her master’s degree from the University of Eastern Finland, and is currently pursuing a PhD at the Czech Technical University in Prague in collaboration with Mayo Clinic in the United States. She has been recognized in Forbes 30 Under 30 and received the AI Personality award. Her work is driven by one central question: how can cutting-edge technologies become truly useful for doctors and patients—not only in research, but in everyday clinical practice? ### Karel Havlíček - Position: Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Trade - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Appearances: Welcome & Opening Remarks (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:05) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karel-havl%C3%AD%C4%8Dek-64021b2a7/ Karel Havlíček is a Czech economist, manager, academic, and politician with extensive professional and public-sector experience. He graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), earned an MBA from Prague International Business School, and received his PhD from the Faculty of Business Administration at Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE). He also habilitated as an associate professor at the Faculty of Finance and Accounting at VŠE. Professionally, he led the Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Craftsmen of the Czech Republic and spent nearly two decades managing the Sindat industrial group, where he was also a co-owner. He has served on numerous government advisory bodies, including as Vice-Chair of the Government Council for Research, Development and Innovation, and was the author of the Czech Innovation Strategy “Czech Republic: The Country for the Future.” He has served as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Industry and Trade, and Minister of Transport. In opposition, he has focused on economic policy, served as Chairman of the ANO shadow cabinet, and is the author of the economic strategy “Czechia: The Country for the Future 2.0.” He is a long-standing university lecturer, founder of the Faculty of Economic Studies at the University of Finance and Administration (VŠFS), and author of dozens of academic publications. His interests include rock and folk music. He is married and has two children. He speaks English, German, and Russian fluently, and has passive knowledge of Spanish, French, and Chinese. ### Karin Van Hoecke - Position: Member of the Board responsible for Innovation and Daily Banking, ČSOB - Categories: Homepage 2026, Keynote - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Aleš Blažek + Karin Van Hoecke: From the Innovation Index to Kate: How the Banking of the Future Is Born (Thu 1 Oct 14:50–15:10); Are We Getting Smarter — or Just More Dependent? Life, Leadership & AI Agents (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-van-hoecke-2233772/ Karin Van Hoecke is a manager with 28 years of experience in banking and insurance, specialising in digital transformation and innovation. She studied political and social sciences at Ghent University and earned an MBA at RUCA Antwerp, supplementing her education with executive programmes at Vlerick Business School and INSEAD. She joined KBC in 1998, gaining extensive experience in commercial roles, SME banking, trade finance and strategic advisory, and contributing to KBC's long-term digital strategy. This diverse experience formed a strong basis for her later leadership roles and focus on innovation. In 2021, Karin became a member of the KBC Belgium Executive Committee, responsible for transformation, innovation, data and end-to-end digitalisation. Under her leadership, KBC Mobile became Belgium's most recognised banking app and earned numerous global awards. She also made a significant contribution to developing Kate, KBC's AI-based digital assistant. Her achievements have brought international recognition, including Chief Digital Officer of the Year 2024 in Belgium and the Women in Technology Award 2023 in London. Beyond digital innovation, she actively supports diversity, inclusive leadership and strong corporate-governance principles. Since 1 November 2025, she has been a member of the ČSOB Board of Directors. ### Karla Mateo - Position: Global Sustainability Leader - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation Karla Mateo is a global sustainability and transformation leader with 12+ years of experience driving large-scale programs across multinationals. She has led supplier engagement initiatives to strengthen sustainability across supply chains, and shapes and executes strategy through governance, digital enablement and operating model design. She moved from the Dominican Republic to Prague nearly 10 years ago, with no network, no Czech, and a career plan she had to rebuild from scratch. She has been leading sustainability programs for some of the world's largest pharma and consumer goods companies, owning a significant share of the sustainability commitments of the organizations she works with, and doing most of it without formal authority. Along the way she has also led volunteer employee resource groups in the areas of leadership, communication and sustainability, is a speaker at sustainability and leadership forums, and mentors professionals navigating leadership and career growth. She brings a practical perspective on how leadership is built and careers evolve in complex organizations. She currently works as an independent consultant and is based in Prague. ### Karolína Karešová - Position: Lead Instructor at HW Lab Praha - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: She=Business, Green Tech & Environment ### Katarína Šeniglová - Position: Team Manager for Kate – the virtual assistant, ČSOB - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Appearances: Beyond Chatbots: The Future of Digital Assistants in Banking (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seniglova/ Katarína leads the team responsible for Kate’s development, performance and delivery. She drives Kate’s business strategy and AI transformation and led the rollout of its new LLM-powered experience, bringing more natural and contextual conversations to clients. ### Kate Douskova - Position: Confidence, Communication & Pitch Coach at Pitch Kate - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, She=Business, Software, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Say It So They Fund It (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:45, Křižík) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-douskova/ Kate helps founders turn nervous, unclear pitches into bold, confident stories that investors remember. She spent over a decade in tech, rising to executive roles as CPO, CIO and CEO, where she led product strategy, innovation and internal ventures, worked closely with founders and enterprise clients across the globe, and oversaw the development of more than 300 digital products. Along the way she became the person people called in when a great idea wasn't landing. The founder losing the room, the team that knew its stuff but couldn't say it. Her job was to find the story, simplify it, and get the person confident enough to tell it. She has built her own startup ideas from zero, so she knows what it feels like to pitch with everything on the line. For over nine years she has mentored women in tech and leadership, coached founders in startup programmes and accelerators, judged and spoken at startup and product events, and led workshops on storytelling, pitching and confidence. Today she runs pitch workshops for incubators and accelerators and 1:1 Pitch Refinement Sprints with founders preparing to raise. Her approach is practical, not theoretical, with a little bit of tough love. Czech-born and Canadian-raised, Kate moved back to Prague to work with the founders building here, and still coaches across Europe, Canada and the US. ### Kateřina Boháčová - Position: Customer Service Manager at Newton Technologies - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software - Appearances: Innovation vs. Reality in Healthcare: Can AI Make Healthcare More Sustainable and patient centric? (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katerinabohacovanewton/ Kateřina Boháčová studied linguistics at Charles University in Prague and began her career in human resources, focusing mainly on recruitment, training, and people development, before moving into technology. She now leads customer support, workflow coordination, and subtitling teams at Newton Technologies, a Czech company specializing in speech recognition and language technology. At Newton Technologies, Kateřina works at the intersection of product and everyday practice: she helps resolve user issues, evaluates automatic speech recognition performance, coordinates between developers, editors, and clients, and supports organizations in putting speech-to-text technology to practical use in their daily workflows. Newton Technologies is driven by a simple belief: technology should make people's lives easier. The company sees healthcare as one of the fields with the most to gain from automation and from what AI has to offer. Building on many years of experience developing software for hospitals and clinics, Newton offers an AI-powered solution built on its on-premise speech recognition engine, customizable across a wide range of medical specializations, that helps doctors pre-fill clinical reports and forms directly from dictation, reducing the administrative burden that keeps physicians from patient care. Kateřina brings a practitioner's perspective to the panel: not that of a data scientist, but of someone who works daily with the people and processes AI is meant to support. Her focus is on what speech and language technology can realistically deliver today, and where the gap between innovation and reality still lies in real healthcare settings. ### Kateřina Young, Ph.D. - Position: IFSA Academic Director for Czech Republic Programs - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact IFSA Academic Director for Czech Republic Programs. Katerina Young is an education professional with extensive experience spanning multiple countries, educational systems, and age groups. She currently leads academic programming in Prague for an American study abroad organization, where she oversees educational quality, curriculum development, and student success initiatives for American computer science students studying in the Czech Republic for a semester. Katerina spent 15 years in the United States where she worked as a certified public school teacher, gaining firsthand experience in American education and student development. Prior to that, she taught at both the secondary school and adult education levels in the Czech Republic while completing her undergraduate studies. She also worked in Turkey as a Cambridge examiner, further expanding her expertise in international education and assessment. Academically, Katerina holds a Bachelor's degree in English and German from Czechia, a Master's degree in Education from the United States and a PhD in the field of educational assessment and testing fro the United Kingdom. Her research and professional interests focus on student learning, assessment practices, and educational quality. After returning to Prague, she joined the Faculty of International Relations at the Prague University of Economics and Business, where she taught and worked with university students from diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition to her leadership role in higher education, Katerina is an education coach, helping 9th grade and high school students navigate important decisions about high school and university pathways so that they make informed choices about their academic and professional futures. ### Kristýna Cetkovská - Position: Corporate Psychologist & Coach - Mendeor Institute - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Health & Biotech - Appearances: When Change Becomes the Norm: How Micro-Moments Strengthen Employee Adaptability (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristynacetkovska/ Kristýna is an occupational psychologist, coach and, last but not least, a doctoral student at Charles University in Prague. Her focus is on the work and corporate environment, where she focuses on employee development and engagement. Her efforts and activities are aimed at helping people feel better and develop more easily at work. At the research level, she focuses on the topic of employees' mental health, along with factors that can strengthen it in the long term. She thus meaningfully connects her practical and research areas. Kristýna is a member of an international research team collaborating with the Salutogenesis Center at the University of Zurich and holds an ICF certificate in coaching. ### Kristýna Vagner - Position: Founder & CEO of OOBS - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: She=Business, Social Impact Kristýna Vagner is the founder of OOBS, a Czech brand creating absorbent nursing bras made with natural materials. A mother of three, she turned her own breastfeeding experience into practical solutions for everyday comfort. She advocates for breastfeeding and greater awareness of its role in the long-term health of both mothers and children. Her studies in Scandinavia shaped her commitment to sustainability, which she brings to OOBS through local production and thoughtful material choices. ### Kumar Amitesh - Position: Partner at StartupBay s.r.o - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, IoT, Security & Privacy, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Robotics & Automation, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Build Global from Day One: How to Design a Startup for International Markets (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Startup Room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kumar-amitesh/ Kumar Amitesh has spent most of his career building and scaling global, customer-facing delivery organizations—across BPO, infrastructure, and more recently SaaS consulting. A big part of his focus has been making globally distributed delivery models actually work in practice—reducing friction with onshore teams, improving visibility into performance, and ensuring consistent outcomes for customers. ### Lenka Kosmatová - Position: Moderator & Speaker - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Next-Gen Media Lenka Kosmatová Msc. is a multilingual moderator and speaker working in English, German, Spanish, and Czech. She brings an international perspective, natural energy, and confident communication to events, conferences, interviews, and panel discussions. ### Lenka Novotná - Position: Managing Director at Plastia - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Wellbeing as a Path to Resilience in the Age of Digital Overload: Who Is Responsible for Our Stress and How Can We Work with It? (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenka-novotn%C3%A1-7165351b/ Lenka Novotná is a co-founder of the manufacturing company Plastia, which has built a reputation over more than 30 years for its vermicomposters, outstanding design, and consistent application of sustainability principles. Lenka led design and development at Plastia, shaped their direction, and now works with her team on special projects in the circular economy. ### Libor Bešenyi - Position: Group CEO and CTO at Xolution - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Has Europe Missed the AI Race? Regulation, Sovereignty & the New Tech Order (Thu 1 Oct 10:30–11:20); Neuro-Symbolic Approaches in Enterprise AI (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Johnson) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/libor-be%C5%A1enyi/ Libor má více než 20 let zkušeností s vývojem digitálních produktů a platforem a více než deset let zkušeností s budováním a vedením technologických společností. Specializuje se na návrh a implementaci AI řešení pro automatizaci procesů, se zvláštním zaměřením na zpracování nestrukturovaných dat, komplexní obchodní workflow a systémy založené na ontologiích. V Xolution pracuje na pomezí základního a aplikovaného výzkumu AI a převádí vznikající technologie do praktických řešení reálných obchodních výzev. Xolution spolupracuje s univerzitami a výzkumnými institucemi a získala uznání jako strategická společnost EU. Libor byl v soutěži INOVATO Awards 2023 oceněn jako Inovátor roku za svůj přínos k rozvoji a využití inovativních technologických řešení. ### Libor Mattuš - Position: Guide at Longevity & Biohacking - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Social Impact - Appearances: Performance on Paper, Exhausted People in Reality—and How to Change It (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, ELAI) - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/libor-mattuš-6610a489 An expert in biohacking, longevity and workplace performance for leaders and teams working in demanding, high-pressure environments. He is the academic lead of the MSc programme in Biohacking and Longevity at Newton University and a certified neuro-language coach. He has delivered programmes for companies such as ČSOB, Raiffeisenbank, AstraZeneca and Škoda Auto. Over the past 12 years, more than 20,000 people from the Czech Republic and abroad have attended his open courses. As the author of the bestseller Chladová terapie (Albatros Media, 2022) and co-author of Odolnost (First Class Publishing, 2024), he teaches evidence-based methods for managing energy, stress and long-term performance. Having overcome serious health problems in childhood, he went on to lead expeditions up Sněžka and Lysá hora wearing shorts, run mountain marathons using breathing exercises, and coach elite athletes, entrepreneurs and managers. He combines personal experience, expert knowledge and practical tools that can be used in everyday life and at work. ### Louis Lavigne - Position: Patent Attorney at Plasseraud IP - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Health & Biotech, Legal & Regulatory, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Energy & Resources - Appearances: AI Patents: Landscape, Protection Strategies, and Impact on Practice (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-lavigne-3694b894/ Louis is a patent attorney at Plasseraud IP, a leading European intellectual property firm. Before joining the firm, he gained first-hand experience in industry, giving him a practical understanding of the challenges his clients face. His practice spans a broad range of technical fields, including medical devices, artificial intelligence, and quantum technologies. He works with clients of all sizes — from startups and SMEs to large corporations — helping them protect and capitalize on their innovations. From drafting and prosecuting patent applications to building strategic IP portfolios, his goal is to turn intellectual property into driver of competitive advantage and business value. ### Lubos Chovan - Position: Senior Solutions Engineer at Cloudflare - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: IoT, Security & Privacy, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: The Rise of Agentic AI - From Artificial Intelligence to Collective Intelligence (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:50) Lubos has been navigating the IT and cybersecurity landscape since 2024, building deep expertise across a powerhouse roster of industry-leading vendors. His journey spans key roles at ESET, Juniper Networks, F5 Networks, Palo Alto Networks, and SentinelOne—leading up to his current work at Cloudflare. Driven by the rapid evolution of modern security, Lubos is particularly passionate about the intersection of artificial intelligence and cyberspace. He focuses on leveraging advanced AI capabilities to proactively detect, analyze, and neutralize modern cyber threats before they strike. ### Lucie Geislerová - Position: Head of International, AI Visibility & GEO Strategist at NEWTON Media - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: AI and the Future of Research: What If We Stop Asking People? (Fri 2 Oct 14:30–14:50) - LinkedIn: https://cz.linkedin.com/in/luciegeislerova Lucie has spent most of her professional career in media intelligence and international business. At NEWTON Media, she leads the international team and works with clients and partners across multiple countries, helping organisations understand what is being said about them - and what it actually means. In recent years, her focus has expanded to AI Visibility and Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO). She explores how AI is changing the way people access information, how brands and organisations are represented in AI-generated answers, and what sources shape these narratives. ### Lucie Hudák Malá - Position: Head of Workplace Consultancy at CAPEXUS s.r.o. - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Space & Beyond - Appearances: A Workplace That Won’t Drive You Crazy (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, Newton) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucihmala/ Lucie has more than ten years of experience in office design and creating workplaces. She began her career at CAPEXUS in 2013 and has worked there again since 2021 as Head of Workplace Consultancy. She has contributed to projects for companies such as Direct, Amazon, Citrix and Generali. She specializes in workplace strategies, workshop facilitation and project management. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Architecture at the Czech Technical University in Prague. ### Luděk Linduška - Position: CEO of Ertea - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Why You Can Choose an AI Tool but Not a Charger (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, Faraday); Why You Can Choose an AI Tool but Not a Charger (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludek-linduska/ Luděk Linduška is CEO of ERTEA SE, headquartered in Czechia with branches in Slovakia, Poland and the United States. The company distributes the ZAGG, mophie, GRX and Adam Elements brands and is a member of the Wireless Power Consortium. Its own ERPOWER brand received the Red Dot Award 2026 and was named an IFA Innovation Honoree 2026. He has worked in import and export for 33 years. He began entirely in ICT, later working as an SQL database developer and a programmer in Delphi and C++. For the past 18 years, he has focused on innovation in ICT accessories, and for the last six years on developing proprietary products under the ERPOWER brand. ### Luděk Slouka - Position: Luděk Slouka Director, Products & Solutions, Digital, Mastercard Europe - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Agentic Commerce in Action (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:45, Newton) Luděk Slouka is Director, Products & Solutions, Digital at Mastercard Europe, based in Prague. In his role, he is responsible for driving digital payment innovation across Central Europe, with a focus on tokenization, digital wallets, payment acceptance, and emerging payment technologies. Working closely with banks, fintechs, merchants, and technology partners, he helps shape the adoption of secure and seamless digital payment experiences. His expertise spans payment innovation, digital transformation, tokenized payments, and the future evolution of the payments ecosystem. ### Lukáš Altman Kousal - Position: Expert manager of pressing process and digitalization at ŠKODA AUTO a.s. - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: IoT, Security & Privacy, Robotics & Automation, Energy & Resources, Health & Biotech, Digitalization & Transformation, AI & Machine Learning Expert manager of pressing process and digitalization. His main job is to find and integrate new technologies into production at ŠKODA AUTO a.s. especially in the Press Shop. He focuses on artificial intelligence, digital twins, condition monitoring of machines, humanoids and equipment, as well as augmented and virtual reality. It seeks out technologies to increase the usability of industrial machinery and to make the work of employees in production more efficient through digitalisation. ### Lukáš Barda - Position: Digital Skills Expert and Tutor at LukasBarda.cz - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: IoT, Security & Privacy, AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: The End of Privacy? What Will the Future of the Digital World Look Like? (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:50); LUKÁŠ BARDA: How Much Does the Internet Know About You? (Sat 3 Oct 13:30–14:00) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-barda/ Lukáš Barda is a digital-skills educator, mentor and speaker focused on practical AI, cybersecurity, digital productivity and digital wellbeing. Drawing on experience in consulting, banking, project management, agile transformation and IT architecture, he helps organisations use technology effectively while managing its impact on work and health. ### Lukáš Benzl - Position: Director at Česká asociace umělé inteligence - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory, Social Impact, IoT, Security & Privacy, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: AI Workshop – How prepared are we for AI in the Czech Republic? (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–12:00) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benzl/ Lukáš Benzl has more than 18 years of experience in technology companies and startups. He has worked in both product and project management. In recent years, he has specialized in AI and its impact on companies and individuals. In 2023, he founded the Czech Association of Artificial Intelligence, which, with more than 400 corporate members, is now the main platform for AI development in Czechia. The association actively and systematically connects the private, public, academic and nonprofit sectors. ### Lukáš Kačena - Position: Government Commissioner for AI - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Digitalizing Government: What Will Public Administration Look Like in the Future? (Fri 2 Oct 11:45–12:30) A graduate of Charles University's Faculty of Social Sciences, Lukáš Kačena started his career at Ernst & Young before serving as Director of the Program Development and Management Division at the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic. From 2022 to 2026, he concurrently led the local AI ecosystem as Managing Director of prg.ai and Chairman of the Czech National AI Platform. In January 2026, he was appointed Government Envoy for AI. ### Lukáš Němčík - Position: Vice Chairman of the Board at COOP Group Czech Republic - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: E-commerce & Retail, Digitalization & Transformation, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Who Will Own the Future of Convenience? (Fri 2 Oct 10:20–11:05) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luk%C3%A1%C5%A1-n%C4%9Bm%C4%8D%C3%ADk/ Lukáš Němčík is a retail and business transformation leader with extensive experience in modernizing customer experiences and driving innovation in the convenience sector. As a member of the leadership team at COOP Czech Republic, he focuses on developing new retail formats, digital services, and technology-driven solutions that respond to changing consumer expectations. Throughout his career, Lukáš has worked on initiatives that combine physical retail with digital innovation, helping traditional retail businesses adapt to rapidly evolving market conditions. His work includes the adoption of automation, data-driven decision making, new customer engagement models, and technologies that improve convenience and operational efficiency. He is particularly interested in the impact of artificial intelligence, autonomous retail concepts, and emerging consumer behaviors on the future of shopping. As a speaker and industry expert, Lukáš shares practical insights on how retailers can remain relevant in an increasingly digital world and how technology is reshaping the relationship between customers, brands, and physical stores. ### Lukáš Peter - Position: Vice-Dean for Cooperation with Industry at VSB – Technical University of Ostrava - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, Software, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Behind the Scenes: The Reality of AI Product Development in Healthcare (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-peter-3643b65b Lukáš Peter, PhD, MSc, is a biomedical engineer, researcher, and expert in healthcare innovation, medical device regulation, and technology transfer. He serves as Vice-Dean for Industry Cooperation at the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, VSB – Technical University of Ostrava, where he focuses on connecting academic research with industry, healthcare providers, and the development of new medical technologies. He is also involved in education and research activities spanning biomedical engineering, innovation management, regulatory science, and the translation of research outcomes into clinical and commercial practice. In parallel, Lukáš works as a Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs Expert at Stimvia, a Czech medical technology company developing innovative non-invasive neuromodulation therapies. His work includes regulatory strategy, quality management, clinical and technical documentation, and the preparation of medical technologies for European and international markets. He also collaborates with the Czech Ministry of Health as an expert in medical device regulation, market access, digital health, cybersecurity, and emerging European healthcare legislation. His activities include topics related to the European Health Data Space, artificial intelligence in healthcare, and the responsible implementation of new technologies into healthcare systems. His professional work sits at the intersection of academia, industry, healthcare, and public policy, with a strong focus on creating practical pathways that enable innovative health technologies to move from research and development through validation and regulation into real-world use. ### Lukáš Sedláček - Position: Founder of Innovation Week - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Welcome & Opening Remarks (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:05) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukassedlacek/ Lukáš Sedláček is the founder of Innovation Week (Týden inovací) and the European Leadership & Academic Institute (ELAI). He is the author of the intellectual bestseller Naked in the Age of AI, which has received positive recognition from representatives of the United Nations, the University of Cambridge, and OpenAI. He studied at the University of Cambridge and Charles University and previously led the Czech Oxbridge Alumni Association. ### Lumír Boureanu - Position: Managing Partner at compacer GmbH - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Digitalizing Finance for Millions? Those Days Are Over (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lumirb/ Lumír Boureanu is Managing Partner of the German company compacer GmbH, which specializes in the integration and automation of critical business processes. He holds degrees in computer science and economics as well as an MBA — precisely that rare combination of a technologist who understands business. He does not view digitalization as a tool implementation project, but as a question of what it will do to the process, the client and the company’s economics. He has long focused on the digital transformation of accounting, payroll and tax advisory services across Europe, and promotes the idea that virtual CFO-type tools should no longer be a privilege reserved for large companies. ### Magdaléna Foltýnová - Position: Investment Director & Partner at Ambeat Group - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Digitalization & Transformation Magdaléna Foltýnová serves as Investment Director and Partner at Ambeat Group, a leading Czech investment group dedicated to senior care and healthcare services. In her position, she oversees all acquisition and investment processes, including greenfield developments, facility reconstructions, and strategic expansion across senior homes, post-acute care centers, and specialized rehabilitation clinics. Magdaléna brings a rare, interdisciplinary perspective that bridges advanced technology with international business strategy. Her professional journey began after graduating from the Austrian Grammar School in Prague. Driven by a cross-border ambition, she moved abroad for her first university degree, earning a Bachelor of Science in Informatics from the University of Augsburg in Germany. Joining Ambeat Group’s IT division, she spearheaded the development of e-Sestřička: a custom-built software that significantly streamlines daily administrative tasks for healthcare field nurses across the country. To expand her global commercial expertise, Magdaléna completed a Master of Science in International Business at the prestigious Korea University in Seoul, South Korea. Following her studies, she returned to Ambeat Group to transition into executive leadership within the acquisition and investment division. Today, Magdaléna combines her technical background with investment management by actively leveraging proprietary, in-house data models. These analytical tools allow her to evaluate investment opportunities, predict regional demands for care, and shape data-driven strategies for the future of senior healthcare in the Czech Republic. ### Magdalena Horánska - Position: CEO, NEWTON Media, a.s. - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: GEO and AI Visibility: Who Will Speak for Your Brand in the AI Era? (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://cz.linkedin.com/in/horanska/cs Magdalena Horánská is CEO of NEWTON Media and Secretary General of FIBEP, an international association of media intelligence companies. At the seminar, she will offer an international perspective on GEO and AI visibility—a trend already fundamentally changing the rules of PR, marketing, and brand visibility. She will explain why AI is becoming a new information and communication channel and why companies will increasingly need to address how AI talks about them, which sources it draws on, and in what context it recommends them. ### Marcel Däppen - Position: Principal Solutions Engineer at Snowflake - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Transforming Business with AI: From Token Consumption to Business Value (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marceldaeppen/ Marcel has 25 years of IT experience in financial services, including significant leadership roles. As CTO for global asset and wealth management for 8 years, he led the strategy and development of their global core banking and holistic analytics platform. Building on this foundation, he has spent the last 6 years as a Principal Solutions Engineer in Big Data and AI, advising clients across EMEA. ### Marcel Duits - Position: Entrepreneur, Angel Investor & Startup Resilience Expert | Founder of Dubrink & The Kickstart Company - Categories: Panel discussion - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, Social Impact - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelduits/ Marcel Duits is a Dutch entrepreneur, investor and author based in Prague. He has founded and managed companies across Europe and advises entrepreneurs and corporations on business development, international expansion and building resilient organisations, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. ### Marcela Lonková - Position: CEO and Founder of This One s.r.o. - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Digitalizing Finance for Millions? Those Days Are Over (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcela-honsov%C3%A1/ Marcela Lonková is the founder and CEO of This One, a Prague-based accounting and tax advisory firm that she has been building as a digital alternative to a traditional practice since 2015. In addition to accounting and taxation, the firm focuses on the accounting and taxation of crypto assets, automation, reporting and outsourced CFO services. Marcela is one of the more outspoken critics of how the industry operates. She has long written about why the accounting profession resists change and what AI will do to it. She won the Digital Age Manager category in the 2022 Manager of the Year competition. She talks about numbers in a way that even people who hate accounting can understand. ### Marek Bartoš - Position: AI Evangelist v coalbrain - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning Marek Bartoš is an AI Evangelist at coalbrain, a team of specialists dedicated to the practical use of artificial intelligence in business. Coalbrain was founded within coalsoft, a company with a long track record in enterprise software development, process automation, and digitalization — a background that lets coalbrain not only recommend AI, but successfully implement it in real business environments. At coalbrain, Marek helps organizations navigate the entire journey with AI, from a first introduction to the technology through to deploying concrete solutions that save time, reduce administrative work, and increase efficiency. His focus spans AI training, opportunity analysis for AI adoption, process automation, and tailored solution development, with particular attention to document processing, administrative automation, and embedding AI into everyday company workflows. Marek and the coalbrain team have delivered projects for companies across manufacturing, logistics, services, and education, including Siemens, CEE Logistics, and Kayser. He also works closely with coalbrain's own product line, which includes tools for automated document processing, secure on-premise AI meeting transcription, and coalshift, an application for smart shift planning and employee communication. By combining consulting, implementation, and in-house products, Marek and coalbrain offer clients a complete path from initial analysis to everyday use of a working AI tool. His goal is to demystify artificial intelligence and present it as a practical, results-driven tool that delivers measurable value and real efficiency gains for businesses — not just a passing technology trend. ### Marek Loula - Position: Member of the Board responsible for Technology and Sustainability, ČSOB - Categories: Homepage 2026, Panel discussion - Verticals: IoT, Security & Privacy, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Who Controls the Future of Money? (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marek-loula/ Marek Loula began his banking career in 1997 at Belgium's Kredietbank, now KBC Bank. Following KBC's acquisition of ČSOB, he moved to ČSOB in 1999, initially responsible for developing its international client base and corporate cash-management projects. From 2003 to 2008, he was Director of the Brno regional corporate branch. He then worked in the credit-approval and management division until the end of 2014, serving as its Executive Director from 2010. In January 2015, he was appointed Executive Director for Information and Communication Technologies at ČSOB. From 2018 to 2021, he was Senior Executive Director of Corporate and Institutional Banking. From 2021 to 2024, he was a member of the ČSOB Slovakia Board of Directors, responsible for financial management, data and IT. Since 1 September 2024, he has been a member of the ČSOB Board of Directors, currently responsible for technology and sustainability. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Administration at Masaryk University in Brno in 1997. ### Margaux Miller - Position: Global Tech Event Host, TED Speaker & Community Builder in the AI Era - Categories: Moderator - Verticals: Next-Gen Media, AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margauxmiller/ Margaux Miller is an international technology-event host, moderator and community builder with more than a decade of experience in technology and startup ecosystems. She specialises in making discussions about AI, innovation, the future of work and online community accessible and engaging for global audiences. ### Marie Skalská - Position: Physician at the Centre for Sports Medicine - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Living Longer, Performing Better: Data, Food & the Future of Human Health (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marieskalska/ Marie Skalská is a physician specializing in prevention, nutrition, and exercise medicine. After graduating from the First Faculty of Medicine at Charles University, she worked in cardiology at IKEM. Today, she runs an outpatient practice at the Centre for Sports Medicine, where she focuses on exercise physiology, personalized nutrition, and the prevention of lifestyle diseases for everyone from recreational athletes to elite medalists. She has extensive practical and teaching experience. Since 2010, she has taught internal medicine, nutrition, and active lifestyle at the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Charles University. She has helped develop educational programs and has long led cognitive behavioral therapy courses for obesity through STOB. In 2013, she co-founded Pro Fit Institute, whose mission is to deliver clinically grounded, practical approaches tailored to the needs of busy clients. Alongside her medical practice, she holds numerous certifications in fitness and functional training, including FISAF and FACE Czech, complemented by mindfulness courses and continuing medical education. She is a member of Czech and European professional societies in cardiology, obesity medicine, and sports medicine. ### Markéta Černoušková - Position: Founder, Head, and Content Curator of the Body Mind Unity Academy - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Social Impact - LinkedIn: Academy.BodyMindUnity.com Markéta Černoušková is the Founder, Head, and Content Curator of the Body Mind Unity Academy. Before retraining as a therapist, she worked as a political analyst, tracking the strain and collapse of geopolitical systems on a macro level. Today, she does the same job on a micro level—tracking the systemic overload and collapse of the human nervous system. As a certified therapist in Dr. Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry approach and a Confidential Advisor to corporate leaders, founders, and helping professionals, Markéta works with high-achievers who are quietly locked in clinical survival mode. She helps them safely dismantle the exhausting scaffolding of hyper-independence and relentless performance before it breaks their biology. Through the Body Mind Unity Academy, Markéta curates world-class educational content on neurobiology, psychosomatics, and trauma-informed care. By bringing globally renowned experts to her audience, she builds a much-needed bridge back into the body. Markéta firmly believes that in an accelerating, AI-driven world that increasingly views humans as mere "biological processors," the most radical innovation is not technological, but somatic. Her mission is to fundamentally redefine resilience. She teaches leaders how to decode the language of their nervous systems, regulate their own "inner weather," and ultimately drop the mask of fake steadiness to become genuine, embodied safe harbors for their teams, their families, and themselves. ### Markéta Lőrinczy - Position: CEO of Phonexia - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: IoT, Security & Privacy, Software - Appearances: From Your First Customer to an Exit: What Didn’t Make It into the Press Release (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark%C3%A9ta-l%C5%91rinczy-646b1525/ Markéta Lőrinczy is the CEO of Phonexia, a global technology company specializing in voice biometrics and speech recognition. Her journey within the company has taken her from people development and corporate culture through global sales management to its leadership. Under her direction, Phonexia expanded into new markets and was acquired by South Korea’s Crescendo Equity Partners in 2025. Markéta also previously worked at JIC, where she supported early-stage technology companies. ### Markéta Přenosilová - Position: Deputy for Startups and Innovation at CzechInvest - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory - Appearances: Deep Tech Now: What’s Next for Europe? (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:45) Markéta Přenosilová is a startup and innovation ecosystem leader with 15+ years of experience at the intersection of government, technology and venture capital. At CzechInvest, she progressed from project manager of the first national accelerator (since 2011, focused on internationalization and US partnerships) to Head of Internationalization, Director of the Startup Department, and finally Director of the Startup & Innovative SME Division. Under her leadership, startup support grew from a small pilot into a core pillar of the agency: she created and launched a national startup programme (budget ~CZK 200M), introduced a new sector specialization (2020), contributed to the Czech Innovation Strategy, founded CzechStartups.org, and launched CzechInvest’s first paid service, CzechLink Startup. She is an advisor, mentor and EU Startup Ambassador appointed by the European Commission, co authors the Startup Act, co founded the Coordination Council for Investors and Startups (KRIS), and served as President of ESNA (European Startup Nations Alliance) in 2022–2023. In 2017, she was named among the Top Women of the Czech Republic (Startup category). Markéta holds a degree in Regional Development from the Czech University of Life Sciences. ### Markéta Šetinová - Position: Founder & Lead Therapist at Institut Moderní láska - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Social Impact, She=Business, Entertainment & Creative AI - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketasetinova/, 608512203, marketa@modernilaska.cz Markéta Šetinová is a sociologist, psychotherapist at Institut Moderní láska, an educational and therapeutic centre focused on dating and relationships. She holds a degree in sociology from the University of Oxford and a PhD from Charles University, and currently collaborates with the National Institute of Mental Health. Her research focuses on the changing nature of relationships in Czechia. She lectures regularly on dating and relationships and is the author of a podcast on relationship skills (youtube.com/@marketasetinova). ### Marko Göls - Position: Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer at ONONO AI AG - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning Marko Göls is Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of ONONO AI AG, a Swiss AI deep-tech company operating from Zurich and Vienna. At ONONO, he leads the business side of the company, spanning strategy, positioning, partnerships and the translation of foundational AI research into products and real-world applications. Together with the ONONO team, Marko is working to establish Progressive AI as a distinct category beyond static, pre-trained models. His role is to connect the company’s technical and philosophical foundations with the challenges faced by organizations, researchers and decision-makers. The ONONO Time Machine is one example of this approach: a tangible product that makes a broader technological shift visible and accessible. Marko brings more than two decades of experience across digital strategy, product development, entrepreneurship and consulting. Before ONONO, he led Digitalsunray Media, most recently as CEO, and earlier worked in strategy and operations consulting at Deloitte. He studied Business Informatics in Vienna with a specialization in International Management. He is particularly interested in how genuinely new technology categories are created. Not through terminology alone, but through ideas, systems and products that change what people expect technology to do. His perspective combines commercial pragmatism with a deep curiosity about intelligence, meaning and the relationship between technology and human understanding. ### Martin Cvrkal - Position: Psychologist, Psychotherapist - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Why Willpower Isn’t Enough: Understanding Obesity and Changing Our Approach (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, Visionaries) He is a psychologist, psychotherapist, trainer, supervisor, and creator of the ICDT method. His work focuses on helping people manage weight loss and obesity in a way that reflects the complexity of the issue—from the triggers of emotional eating to long-term behavioral patterns that persist despite good intentions. His therapeutic approach explores how stress, emotions, relationship dynamics, and habits influence everyday decision-making and the ability to sustain long-term change. His goal is to provide clients with practical tools for emotional regulation, managing cravings, and coping with pressures in everyday situations, while helping them understand why cycles of “trying–failing–giving up” tend to repeat. Beyond immediate challenges related to food and weight, his work addresses deeper underlying factors, including relationships, long-term stress responses, and learned coping strategies that can reinforce unhelpful patterns of behavior. ### Martin Košťál - Position: Chief Growth Officer at COINMATE a.s. - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto - Appearances: Calm in Crypto: Why Czech Banks Have Stopped Fearing Crypto and What It Means for Your Business (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cio-martin-kostal/ Martin began in the traditional world of banking and consulting. He helped streamline IT processes at Raiffeisenbank and managed projects at major financial institutions across Europe. Over time, however, he decided that he wanted to work where things move faster—in the world of cryptocurrencies. Today, he serves as CGO at Coinmate, the first Czech cryptocurrency exchange. He transforms his experience from large corporations into practical solutions, from security and regulation to customer experience. He helps the exchange grow and strengthens its credibility because he believes cryptocurrencies have a future—but only if they are safe, fair and understandable for ordinary people. ### Martin Podařil - Position: CEO & founder of Elementa Labs - Categories: Seminar, Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Health & Biotech - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/podaril/ Martin grew up in the Český Krumlov region, surrounded by deep forests and a landscape steeped in centuries of alchemy and natural remedies. Wandering the woods with his grandfather to forage mushrooms kindled a lifelong bond with nature. That passion eventually guided his journey through academia, where he specialized in medicinal mushroom cultivation, extraction research, and compound analysis alongside leading scientists and mycologist. Today, Martin runs his own forest mushroom farm in Prague, a unique space combining cultivation, education, and community gathering. He also co-founded Elementa Labs, where they produce premium medicinal mushroom extracts. His work seamlessly bridges the worlds of science, entrepreneurship, and nature into one cohesive vision. ### Martin Schirlo - Position: Sales Director at MycoMedica - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-schirlo-8248b366/ My name is Martin Schirlo, and I am the Sales Director at MycoMedica. In my role, I focus on building long-term relationships with our business partners and identifying new opportunities for the company’s growth. I enjoy combining business with meaningful products that can truly make a positive difference in people’s lives. Medicinal mushrooms are not only part of my professional journey but also one of my greatest personal interests. I continuously follow new developments, expand my knowledge, and keep educating myself because I believe there is always more to discover in this field. I am fascinated by the connection between modern science, the centuries-old tradition of medicinal mushroom use, and the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In my free time, I love traveling. China is my favorite destination – I am fascinated by its culture, history, cuisine, and its deep connection with Traditional Chinese Medicine. I prefer active holidays that allow me to explore new places, meet new people, and experience different cultures. I enjoy playing Czech foot tennis (nohejbal), which helps me stay active, and I also appreciate good food. Asian cuisine is especially close to my heart, and I am constantly inspired by its diversity, variety of flavors, and authentic culinary traditions. I believe that continuous learning, an open mind, and an honest approach to both work and people are the foundation of long-term success. ### Martin Seget - Position: Information Systems Architect at ICZ Group - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory, Software, ICT & Municipality, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: AIDA – AI-Based Text Content Search and Exploration Assistant – Practical Operational Experience (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-seget-25a4313/ Martin Seget graduated from the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Charles University. While still studying, he became involved in information technology, primarily in the development of software solutions. After graduation, he briefly worked in teaching and the development of educational applications before moving into software engineering. Since 2005, he has worked for the ICZ Group as a solution architect for information systems in banking and insurance. He is actively involved in applying modern technologies to information-system design, focusing on processes with strong potential for automation using AI technologies. ### Martin Skalický - Position: B2B Sales Consultant at Saleskit - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software - Appearances: The Future of Sales: From Selling to Consulting Through Smart Data (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinskalicky/ Martin Skalický is a senior B2B sales professional who combines extensive experience across IT, finance, and media with modern tools and data-driven strategies. Throughout his career, he has helped hundreds of companies optimize their sales processes, strengthen customer relationships, and identify new market opportunities. His cross-industry experience enables him to understand the specific challenges of different sectors and adapt sales strategies to deliver measurable results. He currently works as a B2B Sales Consultant at Saleskit, where he has built his own team and focuses on helping sales organizations use data and AI to acquire new clients and strengthen relationships with existing customers. Under his leadership, Saleskit projects demonstrate how smart data can streamline the sales cycle, uncover hidden opportunities, and reduce business risks. Martin regularly speaks at conferences and workshops, sharing practical insights on lead generation, data-driven sales, and modern B2B sales strategies. ### Martin Srb - Position: CEO of B-Tree Consulting - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Autonomous AI in Companies: Why the Three Laws of Robotics Are Not Enough (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-srb/ Over the course of my professional career, I have progressed from integrated circuit development through programming DSP processors and microcontrollers to designing and implementing large-scale enterprise systems. For more than twenty years, I have worked at the intersection of technology, architecture, and the operation of large organizations. Today, I focus primarily on how companies can safely and meaningfully integrate autonomous AI into their everyday work. At AyDEO, I contribute to the development of a platform for autonomous digital employees, and at B-Tree Consulting I help companies adopt AI and carry out technological transformation. ### Martin Šťastný - Position: Innovation Consultant at Ayming Czech Republic - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation, Technologies & Hardware - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-stastni/ Martin Stastny is part of Ayming’s expert team specialising in R&D incentives and innovation funding. A former researcher at CTU, he worked within the AMBEATion team on advancing IC design automation and applying machine learning to analog and mixed-signal chip design. His international experience includes collaborations with STMicroelectronics, Synopsys, Infineon, and the Taiwan Semiconductor Research Institute. At Ayming, Martin combines his technical background with the company’s extensive experience in innovation funding to help software and electronics companies identify eligible R&D activities, secure R&D tax deductions, and integrate automation—including AI-powered tools—into their everyday operations. Outside work, he continues to follow the latest research and restores vintage electronics. As Laplace wrote: “We may regard the present state of the universe as the effect of its past and the cause of its future." ### Martin Švík - Position: Chief Technology Officer for Northern, Central & Eastern Europe - Categories: Homepage 2026, Panel discussion - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Quantum Computing: When Will the Revolution Become Business? (Fri 2 Oct 13:30–14:20) Martin Švík has been working at IBM since 2007. He has been Chief Technology Officer for the Northern, Central and Eastern Europe region since January 2023. From 2012 to 2022, he was the manager of the Watson iLab. Prior to 2012, he held several positions within IBM, where he fully applied his technical expertise and talent in customer care. Since joining IBM, he has been involved in implementing IBM solutions for clients across a wide range of industries. Since 2015, he has also served as an IBM Executive IT Architect with a global remit, working on the strategic development of innovation for IBM’s largest clients. He graduated from the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) with degrees in Economics and Management of Electrical Engineering and in Computer Science. He earned an MBA from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom and a PhD from the Czech Technical University in Prague. ### Martina Mikesková - Position: Psychologist & Psychotherapist & Lector - Mendeor Institute - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Health & Biotech - Appearances: AI and Self-Worth: How to Stay Yourself in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinamikeskovapsycholog/ A psychologist, psychotherapist, and lecturer with fifteen years of experience in the field of mental health care. She studied psychology at the Faculty of Arts at Charles University and has since combined individual psychotherapeutic practice with supporting companies and professional communities. In her private psychotherapy practice, she guides clients through challenging personal and professional periods — from long-term stress and burnout to anxiety, identity crises, and the search for healthy self-worth beyond performance. She has extensive experience working with people from a wide range of professional backgrounds: managers and specialists from the corporate world, as well as teachers, clergy members, and social workers — professions where caring for others and coping with psychological demands are an inherent part of the work. As an expert collaborator with Soulmio, she contributes to corporate wellbeing programs, online psychological counseling for employees, and workshops for HR professionals and team leaders. She is also part of the multidisciplinary lecturer team at the Mendeor Institute, an educational platform focused on supporting managers and leaders in caring for their teams’ mental health. Her work there includes topics such as empathic distress, healthy boundaries in leadership, and sensitive communication in difficult situations. She regularly speaks at professional conferences and leads long-term educational programs and webinars. In her work, she emphasizes practical, actionable tools — including burnout prevention, mental hygiene, building psychological resilience, and developing authentic self-worth. ### Matěj Koudelka - Position: PR Consultant at Botticelli - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar ### Matěj Procházka - Position: Founder & CEO of snaprime - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Entertainment & Creative AI, Software, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: I Built OKTAGON’s Online Marketing and Generated CZK 1.2 Billion for Companies. In 15 Minutes, I’ll Show You How. (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, Křižík); Who Will Own the Future of Convenience? (Fri 2 Oct 10:20–11:05) For four years, Matěj Procházka was responsible for OKTAGON MMA’s online marketing. He then founded the marketing agency eLead and generated more than CZK 1.2 billion in revenue for clients. Using the same expertise in Meta advertising and lead generation, he made his next company, Vše Pro Tvůj Dům, the market leader in blown-in insulation. Today, he is the founder and CEO of snaprime—an app that is ending the era of buying leads. It writes the ad, creates the graphics and landing page, launches campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, and collects enquiries directly in the app. ### Matouš Vrba - Position: Product Manager at Appmixer - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software - Appearances: AI Agents and Automation Inside Your Product: How to Offer Them to Customers Without a Year of Development (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matousvrbagrowth/ Matouš Vrba moves AI beyond the category of a “nice conference demo” to a stage where companies can confidently integrate it into their core systems. At Appmixer, he leads the AI strategy and is building a Copilot that assembles complex system integrations from a simple sentence in a chat. He believes technology must serve people first and make business sense—not merely look good in a presentation. His path from growth to building complex products gives him a view of the entire customer journey. Above all, he likes asking incisive questions and listening, because he believes the best features most often emerge from clients’ passing remarks in the final minutes of a call. ### Meagan Loyst - Position: Founder & CEO of Gen Z VCs - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Next-Gen Media, E-commerce & Retail - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meaganloyst/ Meagan Loyst is the Founder & CEO of Gen Z VCs, the world's largest community of Gen Z investors and founders globally with 30,000+ members from 80 countries. Through her advocacy work and writing, she has become the leading voice on reaching the next generation of consumers across industries, writing a monthly column for The Times & consulting for Fortune 500 companies from UEFA and FIFA to Sony Pictures. Meagan is a creator herself with 300K+ followers and has been named on the Forbes 30U30 list as well as the National Venture Capital Association's "Rising Star" award winner. Meagan is now leading social media at ClassDojo, an EdTech unicorn, as a preeminent expert on marketing to Gen Alpha and has spoken on next-gen innovation and marketing at the world's top conferences (Slush, TechBBQ, Bits & Pretzels, Money 20/20, London Tech Week and more). ### Mgr. Ing. Tereza Vágnerová, Ph.D. - Position: Nutritional Therapist at Healthy Longevity Clinic and Assistant Professor at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terezavagnerova?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_android Dr. Vágnerová is a dietitian, researcher, and Assistant Professor at the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University. Her work connects clinical nutrition, preventive medicine, and the science of healthy aging – from everyday choices on the plate to the question of how we can preserve muscle mass, independence, and quality of life for as long as possible. At the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, she teaches both Czech and international students and conducts research into nutrition, sarcopenia, geriatrics, and longevity. Since 2026, she has served as the Scientific Coordinator for the nutrition component of the Czech SHARE study, which monitors health, living conditions, and aging across European populations. She is also a member of the EFAD ESDN Older Adults European expert group. At the Healthy Longevity Clinic, she translates scientific knowledge into personalized preventive care. She works with laboratory results, continuous glucose monitoring, body composition analysis, imaging methods, and microbiome analysis. More than ten years of clinical practice have also taught her that no biomarker exists in isolation from the real person, their story, and their circumstances. Her professional journey has taken her from hospital-based nutritional care and leading a team of 30 to interdisciplinary projects bringing together medicine, epidemiology, data technologies, and behavioral change. She regularly communicates about nutrition and health in the media, podcasts, and at conferences, advocating for prevention that is not only modern, but also accessible and easy to understand. She also has a long-standing focus on nutritional care for older adults and people living with dementia in residential care settings. She is particularly interested in the point at which innovation stops being measured by the number of new technologies and starts being measured by whether it actually helps people live longer and healthier lives. At Innovation Week, she brings a perspective on nutrition without miracle shortcuts – technologically open, scientifically critical, and deeply human. ### Michael Londesborough - Position: Research Scientist & Science Communicator at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences - Categories: Moderator - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-londesborough-8140211b/ Dr. Michael Londesborough MBE (b. 1978, London) is a Czech-based British chemist and science communicator working at the Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences. A graduate of the University of Leeds, he earned a first-class degree in Chemistry (1999) and completed his Ph.D. in 2002, winning the JB Cohen Prize for the most outstanding doctoral thesis. Since 2003, Dr. Londesborough has led research on boron hydrides, with interests spanning luminescent borane species, boron-based fuels for p-11B fusion, and applications in microelectronics. In 2015, he pioneered the world’s first borane laser, advancing studies in the photophysics of borane clusters. He is currently Principal Investigator of a Czech Science Foundation project on borane plasmas and a Key Investigator in the European Vortex-4-Fusionconsortium, exploring innovative laser-fusion technologies. An author of over 80 scientific papers (1,000+ citations, h-index 19), two book chapters, and an international patent, he has presented widely at international conferences. His achievements include multiple young chemist awards, the Crytur Prize (2015), and major recognition for science communication, including the Vojtěch Náprstek Medal, the SCIAP Prize, and the Czech Academy of Sciences President’s Medal. Beyond the lab, Dr. Londesborough is active in science outreach through collaborations with the British Council, Czech Television, and educational initiatives (author and presenter of award-winning Science-popularization series), while also serving as Acting President of Vinohrady Cricket Club and Chairman of the Czech Cricket Board. In 2024, he was appointed MBE by HRH Prince William for services to British–Czech scientific relations. ### Michaela Černochová - Position: AI Adoption Specialist at TV Nova - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: TV Nova Presents: Learn How to Create AI Skills (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Johnson) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaela-%C4%8Dernochov%C3%A1/ Michaela Černochová works at TV Nova as an AI Adoption Specialist and is responsible for AI adoption across the company. She maps processes with teams and identifies where AI can genuinely save time. She leads the AI ambassadors program and, together with the Adoption team, advances the entire company’s ability to work with AI. She considers it the greatest success when colleagues approach her with their own ideas for using AI. ### Michaela Malatín - Position: Senior Technical Program Manager and Country Leader in Red Hat - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Health & Biotech, Social Impact, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 1 (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–14:05); TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 2 (Sat 3 Oct 14:20–16:00) Strategic program and change leader with a track record driving organizational transformation, AI adoption, and employer branding across Red Hat's organization. Combines technical program management with hands-on cryptography expertise, including postgraduate research into post-quantum cryptography and active involvement in the Web3 and blockchain space. Recognized speaker and award-winning mentor on technology leadership and career development, leading enterprise-wide initiatives and executive stakeholder engagement. ### Michal Janda - Position: Shop and Gastro Director at ORLEN - Categories: Keynote, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: MICHAL JANDA: The Future of Convenience: Building the Next Generation Mobility & Service Hub (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:20); Who Will Own the Future of Convenience? (Fri 2 Oct 10:20–11:05) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michal-janda-44b41aa/ Retail leader specialising in convenience and gastronomy within filling-station networks. His work sits at the intersection of commercial strategy and operational execution — turning customer insight into practical, scalable retail propositions across shop and gastro. The last decade spent in the Czech downstream market, working across convenience retail, marketing and operating-model change ### Michal Konkol - Position: Machine Learning Team Lead at Tipsport at Tipsport - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: How We Use AI at a Betting Company (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michal-konkol-a2a08095/ Michal Konkol studied software engineering at the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, where he also completed a doctorate in machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP). Together with two university colleagues, he then founded the startup SentiSquare, which uses AI to help companies process user feedback. Today, he works at Tipsport as the team lead for ML and AI specialists. ### Michal Kučera - Position: CEO of WIRED magazine - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Next-Gen Media, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Humanity 2030: Who Really Benefits from Progress? (Thu 1 Oct 09:05–09:55) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkprague/ Michal Kucera is the founder and editor-in-chief of WIRED magazine in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. He studied at Charles University and the University of Amsterdam. An experienced media professional and entrepreneur, he has led several editorial teams and worked in communications and government affairs across Europe and Africa. He has also taken part in election observation missions in Asia, Europe, and the United States. His work focuses on the intersection of innovation, society, and storytelling in the digital age. Through WIRED, he works closely with entrepreneurs, scientists, and community leaders, helping them translate complex ideas into compelling public narratives. ### Michal Kunstovný - Position: Head of the DDM Technical Section at HW Lab Praha - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Software ### Michal Stepanek - Position: CEO, Cleverbee solutions - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Digital Innovation Without the Licensing Trap (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mstepanek/ Michal has been involved in business and technology since the 1980s, when he founded his first company in Switzerland. Since the 1990s, he has also been active in the Czech Republic, focusing on process-driven ERP systems, business process analysis, and their subsequent digitalization. Building on this experience, he gradually developed Cleverbee, a company that today helps organizations with digitalization, automation, and the development of enterprise systems. As business processes and technologies have become increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity and the protection of digital environments have also become an important part of the company’s focus. Michal is the founder of Cleverbee, which operates in both the Czech Republic and the DACH region. In his talks, he combines decades of entrepreneurial experience with a practical perspective on the evolution of digitalization, technology decision-making, and its impact on how companies operate. ### Michal Trs - Position: CTO & Co-founder at Auris One - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Behind the Scenes: The Reality of AI Product Development in Healthcare (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:50) In 2024, Michal co-founded the startup AurisOne, which streamlines the preparation of medical reports, and he now serves as CTO. Before that, he spent 18 years at Avast/Gen, starting as a computer virus analyst while studying at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University (ČVUT FEL). From 2020, he served as VP Engineering and later took responsibility for the company's Prague office. You may have seen Michal on billboards across the Czech Republic as part of the Movember campaign, which supports men's health and the fight against cancer. Over the past ten years, he has helped raise more than six million CZK for the foundation. He is also a co-owner of the Němý Medvěd brewery and works as a BMX racing coach. Outside of work, Michal is a proud father of three wonderful children. He's a committed outdoor enthusiast, with a particular love for mountain biking, hiking in the mountains, ski touring, and freeriding — pursuits that keep him close to nature and fuel his energy for everything else he does. He also enjoys mentoring and currently supports several people as they grow in their careers, drawing on his own experience building teams and leading through change. Whether in the office, on a mountain trail, or behind a pint at his own brewery, Michal brings the same mix of curiosity, drive, and generosity to everything he takes on. ### Michal Veselý - Position: Strategic Growth Partner at JIC - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: 10 Ways to (Not) Get an Investor (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.jic.cz/cz/o-nas/lide-na-jicu For more than 25 years, he has helped companies and organizations grow, navigate change and connect strategy with strong leadership. He has served as a CEO, CMO, member of executive teams and boards, led international teams and worked with hundreds of companies in the innovation ecosystem. Today at JIC, he guides owners and leadership teams of technology companies through periods of growth and scaling. ### Miky Škoda - Position: Serial Founder of Delta Forge - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact - LinkedIn: https://LinkedIn.com/in/mikyskoda Miky is an entrepreneur, innovator and founder of Delta Forge, where he focuses on how organizations and individuals can systematically discover new opportunities, experiment and turn uncertainty into concrete decisions more quickly. His work combines entrepreneurial practice with the principles of experimental learning, design, behavioral science and systems thinking. He is particularly interested in the moment when an organization encounters a problem for which there is no known correct answer—and how to approach such situations so that they produce not just presentations and strategies, but genuine knowledge that can inform subsequent decisions. He has also long explored the impact of technological change on work, value creation and how organizations operate. In an era of rapid artificial intelligence adoption, he therefore highlights the difference between using a new tool and genuinely changing how an organization thinks, decides and innovates. Alongside entrepreneurship, he conducts experiments at the intersection of economics, technology and philosophy, exploring how the mechanisms of value creation change in an environment of rapid technological development. ### Milan Schirlo - Position: Founder of MycoMedica and TCM Therapist - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: The Algorithms of Our Mind: The Psyche and Emotions Through the Lens of Chinese Medicine (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:45, Newton) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/milan-schirlo-4008ba149/ Milan Schirlo has been dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine for more than 25 years—as a therapist, lecturer, and author. He is the founder of MycoMedica, the Czech leader in medicinal mushrooms and Chinese herbs, as well as the educational platform MycoAkademie, where he trains new therapists. Last year, he published the book Cesta houby: Návrat k rovnováze (The Path of the Mushroom: A Return to Balance). His strength lies in making the thousands-of-years-old principles of Chinese medicine easy to understand even for the rationally minded modern person. Learn more at MilanSchirlo.cz. ### Miloslav Soukup - Position: Senior Innovation Manager at Ayming - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Innovation in the Black: The R&D Tax Deduction (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soukupmiloslav/ Miloslav Soukup has been specializing in R&D tax incentives for 14 years. He currently works as a Senior Innovation Manager at Ayming, a leading international consultancy focused on innovation funding. Throughout his career, he has managed projects across technology, industrial, and digital sectors, combining in-depth knowledge of legislation with a practical understanding of product development, business processes, and their financial implications. He helps companies identify eligible R&D activities, establish the appropriate documentation and processes, and make effective and compliant use of available incentives. His work also draws on Ayming’s international expertise, built on 40 years of global experience and 17 years of operations in the Czech market. ### Miroslav Dašek - Position: Sales Teamleader - Asseso Solutions - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: ICT & Municipality, Software, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Helios Is Much More Than ERP: Discover the Open Ecosystem of Business Applications of the Future (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miroslav-dasek/ Miroslav Dašek has spent his entire professional career in the field of business, with the last 10 years focused on IT. He is passionate about digitalization, automation, and simplifying processes. He dedicates his experience and energy to helping clients streamline their operations and inspiring them toward further growth and innovation. ### Miroslav Konečný - Position: CEO & Senior Consultant of ADDSEN - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: SOLVE THE DILEMMA: Grow Your Business with Investments or Grants? (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miroslavkonecny/ Miroslav supports innovative companies and deep-tech teams in strategic partnering and fundraising for their expansion financed from European Commission grants and programmes. He assists scientists and promising businesses to discover and realize their potential using partnership and EC funding. With 20 years of experience, he has developed an innovation-management approach backed by more than 20 consortial projects and 15 innovation projects with spin-offs and startups. Since 2024, he has also acted as an angel investor, combining investment and public-funding expertise. ### Miroslav Pščolka - Position: Chief Technology Officer at Creatity s.r.o. - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: AI Without Illusions: The Risks Companies Overlook (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/miroslav-pscolka-aa77871b4/ Miroslav Pščolka is the co-founder and CTO of Creatity. With more than 20 years of experience in IT, he specializes in rapid application development, the Mendix low-code platform, and artificial intelligence. As a senior architect, he connects technological innovation with real business needs, helping companies build efficient, scalable, and sustainable software solutions designed for long-term growth. ### MUDr. Barbora Kolářová - Position: Chief Outpatient Physician and General Practitioner at MY CLINIC - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: My Longevity — Without the Trends (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbora-kolarova/?locale=cs In nearly twenty years of practice, I have focused on comprehensive patient care in both primary and hospital settings. In diagnosis and treatment, I try to approach each patient as a whole person. This means considering not only their physical condition, but also the links to their personal and professional life that have a fundamental impact on their health. My goal is to see the patient as a whole. I view longevity as a return to the basic principles that genuinely matter for health—prevention, movement, sleep and a healthy diet—rather than as a fashion trend. I want to support people in living as healthily as possible and, ideally, never becoming my patients. ### MUDr. Jan Hlaveš - Position: Chief Medical Doctor & Co-founder of Vital Age Clinic - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech MUDr. Jan Hlaveš is the Chief Medical Doctor and Co-Founder of Vital Age Clinic in Prague, where he combines the latest advances in modern medicine with a comprehensive approach to health and lifestyle. His work focuses on prevention, health optimization, and improving clients’ quality of life, with a strong emphasis on each individual’s unique needs and possibilities. Jan is a member of the expert team of the German Society for Longevity and is actively involved in international projects across the Czech Republic, Germany, and Spain. Drawing on his experience as a physician, coach, nutrition consultant, and speaker, he inspires both his patients and the wider public to take control of their health and build a sustainable, active lifestyle. With many years of experience in medicine, nutrition, and sports, Jan focuses on practical, science-based methods that help prevent disease and support long-term health. As Chief Medical Doctor at Vital Age Clinic, he provides clients with a comprehensive and modern approach designed to help them live healthier, more vital, and fulfilling lives. ### MUDr. Michal Považan - Position: Head Physician of the Center for Mental Health for Children and Adolescents Prague at Zahrada pro duši a contributory organization - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Social Impact - Appearances: CBD, THC & Vaping: Health, Hype and Regulatory Chaos (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–13:50) MUDr. Michal Považan is a psychiatrist specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. In 2005, he co-authored the "EUNOMIA" project and was awarded the Professor Vladimír Vondráček National Psychiatric Prize. He began his psychiatric practice in 2001 at the Clinic of Child Psychiatry of the Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University in Bratislava. He subsequently worked at the Psychiatric Hospital in Bohnice, and at the Department of Child Psychiatry of the 2nd Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Motol. Between 2010 and 2025, he served as Head Physician of the Children's Department of Bohnice Psychiatric Hospital, and since January 2026 has been Head Physician of the Mental Health Center for Children and Adolescents Prague, Zahrada pro duši. ### Myrthe Hooijman - Position: Second Statutory Manager & Director Special Projects at Techleap - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Deep Tech Now: What’s Next for Europe? (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:45) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myrthehooijman/ Myrthe Hooijman is the Second Statutory Manager & Director Special Projects at Techleap, the Dutch national tech-ecosystem organisation. She works to strengthen the conditions that help innovative and deep tech companies start, fund, and scale in the Netherlands, connecting founders, investors, and policymakers around shared challenges. Her background spans government affairs, policy advisory work at the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, and ecosystem building across the Dutch startup landscape. ### Natália Kocichová - Position: Global Lead @ JetBrains for Startups - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, Digitalization & Transformation, She=Business - Appearances: From 100 to 55,000: How to Build a Customer Strategy That Scales (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Johnson) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalia-kocichova/ Natalia Kocichova is Global Lead of JetBrains for Startups, one of the world’s largest startup programs, supporting 55,000+ startups across 100+ countries and working with more than 150 ecosystem partners globally. Her career has focused on building and scaling startup ecosystems at the intersection of technology, corporates, founders, and investors. Before JetBrains, she spent four years at Microsoft, where she led Microsoft for Startups in Denmark and Iceland. Today, Natalia works on how global technology companies understand startup audiences, turn customer insight into strategy, and build programs and partnerships that scale. She was named to Forbes Slovakia 30 Under 30 2026 in the Startups & Technology category. ### Nikola Ondrík Andreánska - Position: Senior Data Scientist at Microsoft - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 2 (Sat 3 Oct 14:20–16:00) Nikola Ondrik Andreanska, PhD, is passionate about decision-making, whether at the individual or societal level, and about translating scientific evidence and tacit knowledge into actionable recommendations and decisions. She works as a Senior Data Scientist on AI evaluation within Copilot Extensibility, building the quality metrics that tell teams whether an AI system is working as expected. Before moving into data science, she worked as a Platform Product Manager on communication and collaboration products, including chat extensibility and media storage and processing. Her PhD in Risk & Uncertainty Management applied in Public Health & Epidemiology meant turning statistical models into concrete guidance for health authorities. As a certified coach with background in psychology and cognitive science, she brings an interdisciplinary perspective to the conversation about AI. She has spoken at Femme Palette and other women’s meetups. She facilitated workshops for university students and teachers on how to use AI while staying human. She believes that as more of knowledge work gets outsourced to machines, it is crucial to hold onto what makes us unique: being in a present moment, noticing and connecting with others. ### Nina Bressler - Position: CultureTech & Creative Innovation Leader | Founder of CultTech Accelerator - Categories: Panel discussion - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Social Impact, Entertainment & Creative AI - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ninabressler/ After 20 years in the corporate world (Deloitte, Novartis), I now bridge corporate leadership and entrepreneurial innovation to help organizations and people thrive in complexity. I currently lead Service Academy and People Capability for the Service Business Unit at Hitachi Energy, uniting technical mastery with adaptive, human-centered capabilities for a sustainable energy future. My journey through large-scale enterprise transformation, particularly leading the Curiosity pillar of the Novartis Culture Transformation, and driving the strategic imperative of Societal Learning, taught me that the systems shaping our lives often measure what's easy instead of what truly matters. They reward speed, scale, and short-term wins while undervaluing care, community, meaning, and long-term health of people and planet. The Big Shift is not coming, it is here. As founder of Reimagined Value and co-founder of the Inner Development Goals Czechia Center, I work with collectives reimagining how value is created: moving from extraction to regeneration, individualism to collective intelligence, and control to emergence. Together, we are the Shift. ### Nina Fořtíková - Position: Co-Founder of Oxbridge Stipendium - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact Nina Fořtíková is a University of Cambridge graduate and co-founder of Oxbridge Stipendium, an initiative helping talented Czech and Slovak students access education at Oxford and Cambridge. She has experience across consulting, finance, policy, and student leadership, including an internship at McKinsey & Company and leadership roles in several Cambridge societies. ### Olga Galochkina - Position: Chapter Lead at Commerzbank - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: TEDx UNYP program - Talk Sessions - Part 1 (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–14:05) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olga-galochkina Olga Galochkina is the Head of the Securities & Derivatives Trading Platforms team at Commerzbank. She has experience as a Product Owner and Project Manager in IT governance, digital transformation, and software integrations within the financial sector. She leads cross-functional teams, manages enterprise applications, and works with international stakeholders and vendors. She is also an ambassador for the Czech Women Community at Commerzbank. ### Oliver Le Que - Position: PR & Marketing - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Between Two Worlds: The Vietnamese Community and a New Generation of Czechs (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–10:50) My name is Oliver Le Que, and I work in marketing and PR at Prague Zoo, managing our social media like Instagram and capturing animal imagery. Born in 1993—the same year Jurassic Park was released—my passion for animals began in childhood, inspired by scene where Alan Grant hugs a sick Triceratops. Growing up near Plzeň in a non-traditional Vietnamese family with large dogs and rescued wildlife, I developed a lifelong love for nature and a special affection for rhinoceroses. I graduated from the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, initially designing in Brand Studio for FC Viktoria Plzeň and designing the speed skating suit Martina Sáblíková wore to win Olympic silver in Pyongyang. However, the death of Sudan, the last male northern white rhino in 2018, moved me to act, especially knowing Vietnam’s role in horn consumption. I began working remotely for Safari Park Dvůr Králové, eventually joining them in person to coordinate PR for major conservation efforts, including transporting five black rhinos to Rwanda and saving the northern white rhinos. Today at Prague Zoo, I blend office marketing with visiting our Fur seals and wombat, photographing animals as a self-taught photographer inspired by National Geographic and Ami Vitale. Traveling to international zoos to exchange insights with foreign colleagues constantly enriches my work. ### Oliver Zrno - Position: Junior Associate at FINREG PARTNERS - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Legal & Regulatory - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ozrno/ Oliver Zrno is a Junior Associate at FINREG PARTNERS, a legal professional specialising in financial innovation and crypto-assets. Before his tenure at FINREG PARTNERS, he gained experience at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic with the financial innovation and capital markets unit mainly focusing on change management, AI and finance, Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) and financial data sharing schemes. At FINREG PARTNERS he advises numerous FinTech companies and holds a unique track record while assisting on the acquisition of four out of eleven crypto-asset service provider authorizations under MICAR in the Czech Republic. ### Olivia Rain Dluhá - Position: Head of Brand at Longessa - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, She=Business - Appearances: Women’s Health Is Not a Niche: AI, Data Gaps & the Future of Care (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviaraindluha Olivia Rain Dluhá works at the intersection of design and health. She specializes in translating science into wellbeing through creative strategy, branding, and community. With a strong focus on women's health, she combines knowledge of the field with hands-on experience across femtech and wellbeing projects. Her work includes creating the visual direction of Birth, Body & Beyond, a holistic online birth preparation programme, and working in social media and community management at Systers, a Czech women's longevity brand featured in ELLE and Forbes. Olivia has also designed research for CensHERship, an advocacy initiative addressing the digital censorship of women's health content, later referenced in discussions at the UK Parliament and Columbia University. Today, as Head of Brand at Longessa, Olivia shapes how science, regenerative technologies, and wellbeing can come together to create a multisensory brand experience that people want to return to. Born in the US and based in Europe, Olivia holds a double major in Philosophy & Religion from Charles University and is a birth doula and Ashtanga yoga teacher. Her work is guided by the belief that health is both personal and collective, shaped by the spaces we create, the rituals we share, and the communities we build. ### Ondřej Brodecký - Position: Director of Data Analytics and Modelling, ČSOB - Categories: Homepage 2026, Panel discussion - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: The Rise of Agentic AI - From Artificial Intelligence to Collective Intelligence (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ond%C5%99ej-brodeck%C3%BD-568a7918/ Ondřej Brodecký is Head of Data Analytics & AI at ČSOB, where he leads teams focused on data analytics, data science, and generative AI. His work focuses on the practical application of artificial intelligence in banking, ranging from data and predictive models to the deployment of generative AI, automation, and AI agents across the organization’s day-to-day operations. He has extensive experience connecting business, data, and technology and is involved in leading strategic AI initiatives across the KBC Group. ### Ondřej Hlaváč - Position: Founder of AI Institute - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory, Software - Appearances: How to Botch AI Implementation—Not Only in Legal Work (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ondrej-hlavac/ Ondřej Hlaváč is an AI enthusiast whose work spans both development and education. For more than six years, he has focused on automation and the practical implementation of artificial intelligence in companies, helping organizations such as Škoda Auto, Conseq, and RE/MAX identify where AI can deliver real value—and where it cannot. He is the co-founder of AI Institute, the largest provider of in-person AI education in Czechia, training thousands of people every year and auditing companies to identify practical automation opportunities. He also co-founded Advomate, a legal-tech platform for AI-powered legal research and contract analysis, used by organizations such as Škoda Auto, the Central Bohemian Region, and the Czech National Bank. As an AI Strategic Advisor, he leads the internal adoption of AI across the Accolade Group, from identifying and mapping use cases to implementing solutions. Throughout his career, he has introduced more than 10,000 people to working with AI and contributed to AI implementation projects across more than 110 companies in the EU. ### Ondrej Homola - Position: General Partner at N1 Ventures - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Robotics & Automation, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Entertainment & Creative AI, Health & Biotech, Software, Technologies & Hardware, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: The Music Industry in 2030: Predictions from Innovators and Insiders (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:50) Ondrej is a venture capital investor & founder. He is a Partner at N1 Ventures, a fund investing primarily in early-stage technology startups across Europe and the United States. N1 Ventures has invested in more than 70 companies. Before entering venture capital, he co-founded StartMonday, a technology company established in Germany focused on innovation in recruitment. He built the business across international markets, participated in the Startupbootcamp accelerator in Amsterdam and exited on a Canadian stock exchange in 2016. Alongside his investment activities, he serves on the boards and advisory bodies of several technology companies, lectures on venture capital and regularly contributes to startup accelerator and mentoring programmes. In his spare time, he plays bass guitar in a rock band. ### Ondrej Kováč - Position: Cyber Security Lead at Mastercard Czech Republic & Slovakia - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, AI & Machine Learning, Software - Appearances: AI in Defence: Control, Limits & Decision-Making in Autonomous Warfare (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:50); Secure Software Development in the AI Era: From Vulnerability Detection to a Verified Fix (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:45, Newton) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/okondrejkovac/ Ondrej Kováč is a technology and innovation leader at Mastercard, focused on helping organizations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. He works closely with businesses and partners across Central Europe to identify new opportunities, address evolving risks, and build solutions that drive long-term growth and resilience. Throughout his career, Ondrej has worked at the intersection of technology, business strategy, and innovation, helping organizations translate complex technological developments into practical business value. His areas of interest include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, software development, digital trust, and the impact of emerging technologies on business and society. As new AI-driven capabilities reshape how organizations operate and innovate, Ondrej is particularly interested in understanding where the opportunities end and the risks begin. He regularly shares insights on technology adoption, cyber resilience, and the future of digital innovation. As a speaker, he brings a pragmatic perspective on how businesses can embrace innovation responsibly while maintaining security, trust, and sustainable growth. ### Ondřej Svoboda - Position: AI video maker & educator at Cinemagic - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Entertainment & Creative AI - Appearances: AI Video Show Live! From Idea to Video in 60 Minutes (Sat 3 Oct 14:00–15:00) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ondrejfreedom/ Ondřej Svoboda is AI video maker, educator and improviser who helps marketing and creative teams put generative AI to work. His specialism is AI video: developing an idea, choosing the right tools and shaping the output into something worth watching. He focuses on practical workflows that preserve a creator’s voice and keep human judgement at the centre of the process. With a background in computer science and around a decade at Avast in technical, management and community roles, Ondřej brings an understanding of technology and how people learn to use it. Alongside his technology career, he has pursued filmmaking and theatre improvisation. He is a creator of Pár Pařmenů, a Czech comedy redub of The Lord of the Rings. He teaches public courses in AI video and delivers tailored workshops for companies. His own creative work includes AI trailers, television commercials and experiments that test what the tools can do, where they fail and when conventional filmmaking remains the better choice. His interactive AI Video Show brings that experimentation on stage. Working with suggestions from the audience, he creates video live, combining storytelling and improvisation with the unpredictability of generative AI. Audiences see the decisions, revisions and occasional misfires behind the result. His approach starts with a simple conviction: access to powerful tools is only the beginning; a strong idea and thoughtful creative direction still make the difference. ### Ondřej Švrček - Position: Founder of MUNIPOLIS - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, Social Impact, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: We Can’t Do It Without International Talent: Internal Communication That Makes Foreign Colleagues Feel They Belong (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ondrejsvrcek/ Ondřej Švrček is one of the leading Czech innovators in the field of digital communication for municipalities. He studied computer science and graphic design at Masaryk University in Brno and has applied his expertise as a co-owner of projects such as SMSbrána.cz and ZlatéSlevy.cz. For the past decade, he has been dedicated to building the MUNIPOLIS platform (formerly Mobilní Rozhlas), which is fundamentally transforming the way communication happens—not only in cities and municipalities but also in companies. Ondřej has served on the local council of Popůvky near Brno and is an advisor to the Association of Modern Communicating Municipalities. Alongside his professional achievements, he is also a former Czech national team swimmer and national champion in the 200-meter butterfly. A beloved part of the MUNIPOLIS story is the company dog Alfréd, who never misses a key meeting. ### Ondřej Zapletal - Position: Senior Business Analyst at Etnetera - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: Be Visible Online in the Age of AI (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ond%C5%99ej-zapletal-8a28154/ He translates business goals into functional websites and portals. As a senior business analyst and product owner, he leads assignments from the first stakeholder meeting through deployment. For years, he has dug into data about how people reach websites and what they do there—analytics, user behavior, bots, SEO, and UX. Recently, he has applied the same perspective to AI: he has measured visibility in model responses for dozens of clients and works with tools such as Profound and Ranketta. He therefore knows what can be measured and how it affects business results. ### Pan Čung - Position: Financial Planner, Entrepreneur & Financial Educator - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation, Next-Gen Media - Appearances: Between Two Worlds: The Vietnamese Community and a New Generation of Czechs (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–10:50); Life, Money, Business. In That Order. Personal, Financial and Business Plans — I’ll Show You Mine (Sat 3 Oct 14:00–14:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nguyen-duc-%C4%8Dung-8366b7149/ Nguyen Duc Trung, publicly known as Pan Čung, is a Czech-based financial planner, entrepreneur, educator and digital product creator of Vietnamese origin. He successfully completed the European Financial Advisor (EFA) professional examination and later completed the preparatory programme for the European Financial Planner (EFP) qualification. For nearly a decade, he has worked in comprehensive financial planning. He has personally prepared financial plans for more than 400 families, trained over 700 financial professionals and leads a team of more than 150 advisors. Together with his team, he has helped arrange more than CZK 7 billion in mortgage financing. His team currently advises clients on investment portfolios worth more than CZK 1.2 billion. He is the creator of an application for building comprehensive financial plans and a range of digital tools supporting business planning, client analysis, CRM, workflow management and long-term advisory care. His work connects financial expertise with technology and practical education. Pan Čung is also a widely followed financial content creator across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. Through his platforms, he makes finance and entrepreneurship easier to understand for the general public, business owners and financial professionals. As a Vietnamese-born professional active in Czech society, he represents a generation that combines cultural roots with modern entrepreneurship, technology and public visibility. He uses education and social media to challenge stereotypes, improve financial literacy and demonstrate how people from migrant communities can build trusted, innovative and socially valuable businesses. ### Patrik Stránsky - Position: Head of Partnerships at Orgánový Věk - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, Health & Biotech - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrik-stránsky/ Fifteen years ago, Patrik had something most people do not have today: an implementation team of up to seven people who used data to prepare a tailored training plan for him. He spent more than five years in professional sport—sprint canoeing—and experienced what performance guided by numbers, not only feelings, looks like. He then moved into innovation: startups, scaling, business development and partnerships. Gradually, he realized that what had been normal for him as an athlete was practically inaccessible to managers and business owners. Today, he is developing Orgánový věk for the European market, a method that uses blood biomarkers to show the condition of individual systems in the body and where to begin. It combines his startup experience with systematic prevention. He is enrolled in the Orgánový věk programme and Healthy Longevity Club himself, working with his own data and the same plan clients receive. At Innovation Week, he will discuss how to approach longevity practically—for yourself, your people and your company. ### Pavel Čech - Position: Attorney & Partner at SEDLAKOVA LEGAL - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory, Software - Appearances: What the AI Act Means for You—and Why You Can't Manage It Without an Internal AI Policy (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavel-cech-/ Pavel Čech is an attorney and partner at SEDLAKOVA LEGAL, where he heads the Contract Law, IT and IP department. He will guide participants through what companies need to address when deploying AI: which obligations arise from the AI Act and other regulations, how to contractually govern the use of AI tools and work with data, and how to set up internal governance. ### Pavel Digaňa - Position: Co-Founder and CTO of Kardi Ai - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech, Software, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Behind the Scenes: The Reality of AI Product Development in Healthcare (Fri 2 Oct 15:00–15:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paveldigana/ Pavel Digaňa, Co-Founder and CTO of Kardi Ai, is an experienced technology leader, software architect, and developer with deep expertise in software development, system architecture, and building engineering teams from the ground up. At Kardi Ai, Pavel is responsible for the company’s technology strategy, software development, engineering processes, and architecture. He leads the development of the entire Kardi Ai technology platform, covering mobile applications, cloud infrastructure, ECG data processing, AI models, and tools for healthcare professionals. Kardi Ai is a Czech healthtech company transforming cardiac monitoring through long-term ECG recordings and AI-powered arrhythmia detection. Its solution combines a wearable ECG sensor, mobile applications, cloud-based processing, AI models, and a web platform for physicians. This enables patients to record ECG continuously during their everyday lives, significantly extending the monitoring period compared with conventional short-term examinations and increasing the chance of detecting intermittent cardiac arrhythmias. Pavel has played a key role in developing Kardi Ai from an early-stage technology project into an MDR-certified Class IIa medical device used in clinical practice. His responsibilities extend from hands-on technology development to scalability, cybersecurity, regulatory requirements, and technical strategy. He also leads the development organization and ensures that Kardi Ai’s technology and engineering processes are prepared for the company’s continued international expansion. ### Pavel Hurta - Position: Product Lead & NPD at Brainmarket - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: The Neurobiology of High Performance: How to Stay Sharp and Energized Under Pressure (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–11:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ pavel-hurta-59a005392 Pavel Hurta is Product Lead for supplements and NPD at BrainMarket. He oversees the entire product development process—from recipes and formulations to sourcing ingredients across Europe, regulatory compliance, and market launch. His own personal story is what brought him into the field. He previously played professional floorball for FBC ČPP Ostrava, where for a long time he overlooked recovery, sleep, and what was happening in his body’s biochemistry under physical stress. The result was chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia—and with them, years of studying the human body, which eventually led him to the work he does today. He completed the one-year Performance University program focused on nutrition, physiology, and performance optimization, and has also passed the national nutrition certification exam. He approaches health and performance as one interconnected system—not as a collection of isolated hacks—and thanks to his daily work at the intersection of science and regulation, he knows exactly what genuinely works in the body and what is simply marketing. Today, he regularly lectures for the medical community, companies, and the general public, helping people build sustainable habits around neuro-nutrition, stress management, and circadian hygiene—so they can maintain high performance over the long term without burning out. ### Pavel Lukeš - Position: CTO at Direct pojišťovna - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Legal & Regulatory - Appearances: AI in Insurance Claims: Governance, Audit and Operational Accountability (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavellukes/ Pavel Lukeš leads the IT department at Direct pojišťovna, a.s. as Head of Information Technology Department, a position he has held since November 2022, for nearly four years. Before that, he spent seven years and eleven months leading software development as Head of Software Development, from January 2015 to November 2022. He has worked full-time at Direct pojišťovna for almost twelve years. At the same time, he has been lecturing at the Prague University of Economics and Business for more than ten years, where since August 2016 he has taught courses on software load testing and performance optimization. Before joining Direct pojišťovna, he focused on the performance and architecture of software products outside the insurance industry. From September 2012 to December 2016, he worked as a Performance Architect at ČSOB, while from July 2013 to December 2016 he also served as a Performance and Product Architect at Etnetera. His career therefore combines twelve years in insurance technology with a long-term focus on the performance, architecture, and reliability of software systems, both in practice and in education. At Innovation Week, together with Jiří Mach, CEO of Qest Technologies and Enehano, he will present how Direct pojišťovna moved the use of AI in claims handling from pilot stage into live production, where it is involved in decisions about actual insurance payouts. He will explain what the IT department had to put in place in terms of governance, auditability, and accountability so that AI could take on a role in a process with a direct impact on customers. Participants will leave with an overview of the key questions every regulated company needs to answer before allowing AI to take part in decision-making with real-world consequences for customers. ### Pavel Vomáčka - Position: Senior Enterprise Architect at ICZ Group - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: IoT, Security & Privacy, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, AI & Machine Learning Pavel Vomáčka is a Senior Enterprise Architect at ICZ Group. He designs infrastructure and AI platforms for public administration, the defense sector, and the banking industry—including on-premise and air-gapped solutions for regulated environments. He specializes in sovereign AI infrastructure, PKI, Kubernetes, and private cloud. He holds TOGAF certification and has authored numerous architectural studies for ministries, state organizations, and banks. ### Pavel Weber - Position: CEO of BlueGhost - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, Digitalization & Transformation, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: Shoptet or a Custom E-Shop? How BlueGhost Helped a Major Building-Supplies Store Increase Orders by 300% (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weber-pavel/ Pavel Weber is an experienced programmer and the CEO of BlueGhost. He has been developing applications since the age of 14, pursued a PhD in Technical Cybernetics at the University of Chemistry and Technology in Prague, and has gained extensive experience through various roles in the creation of several hundred web projects. Today, he primarily applies his expertise as a digital strategy consultant, setting meaningful goals for projects in both the private and public sectors. Recently, he has helped design online strategies for institutions such as the National Theatre, Mendel University, the State Environmental Fund, and Prague 6. ### Pavlína Louženská - Position: Founder & Trendspotter at TrendBrews - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, AI & Machine Learning - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pavlinalouzenska/ Pavlína founded TrendBrews, trend forecasting consulting focused on CEE. She is a Mentor in Google for Startups for Europe, Middle East and Africa and various other accelerators, where she focuses on Fundraising and Business. She sits on Supervisory boards of various NGOs, universities and tech startups - from Nadace Independent Press to Nekrachni. She regularly sends a newsletter on society and technology pavlinaspeaks.substack.com to 14 000+ subscribers and is among top50 Business Substacks globally. She regularly publishes in outlets like Wired or Elle. She was given numerous awards - including The European Citizen's Prize that is awarded by the European Parliament. In the evenings she organizes Singles Club: speed dating events for smart people. ### Peter Dovhun - Position: Chairman of the Supervisory Board of DiusAI - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Energy & Resources, AI & Machine Learning Former Minister of Economy in Slovakia, Caretaker Government of 2023 with more than 30 years of business, leadership and entrepreneurship experience. Having been working in tech business for more than 20 years, helping the companies such as Motorola, Microsoft, Gratex International and DiusAi to grow their footprint in their respective markets. Between 2021 and 2023 held a position of the CEO at SEPS, electricity transmission system operator in Slovakia. Graduated at the University of Economics in Bratislava and later took part of the professional development programs at the University of Michigan and the MIT. ### Peter Ďurčák - Position: Head of Product ALITEO - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: USE CASE: The Project Was on Fire, the Report Was Green. How a €20 Million Company Stopped Paying Penalties (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:45, Křižík) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterdurcak/ I am an innovator with a passion for products that deliver real value. I believe enthusiasm for the right things is contagious and can transform both results and company culture within teams. Since 2021, I have been responsible at KARAT Software for ALITEO, a tool for managing projects, teams, meetings and help desks. KARAT Software is a Czech enterprise-information-system provider whose KARAT ERP system is used by more than 11,000 users. I lead ALITEO as a whole: from strategy and product vision through budgeting and people leadership to sales and management reporting. This lets me see the product from both sides — as something that must genuinely work for customers and as something that must make economic sense for the company. I am most interested in areas where work management meets data. I started as a project manager and spent five years in sales and sales-team leadership in building automation, an industry where work is handed off every day between field teams, coordinators and management. That is where I saw how processes break down in practice, and it is also the basis of my talk. ### Peter Jančárik - Position: Head of Content Moderation at Seznam.cz - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, Next-Gen Media - Appearances: How Not to Lose Your Mind in the Age of AI: A Media Literacy Pop Quiz (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, ELAI) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterjancarik/ At the leading Czech internet company Seznam.cz he is responsible for projects focused on combating disinformation, content moderation, and media education. He leads media literacy courses for students and teachers at primary and secondary schools as well as for seniors. He has worked in the communications industry for more than 15 years, both for companies and nonprofit organizations. In 2016 he co founded the project Konšpirátori.sk, a public database of Czech and Slovak disinformation websites. ### Peter Kostelník - Position: Head of Research at Xolution - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, ICT & Municipality, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Neuro-Symbolic Approaches in Enterprise AI (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Johnson) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kostelnik/ Ing. Peter Kostelník, PhD, is an artificial intelligence researcher and developer and Head of Research at Xolution. His long-standing focus includes computational linguistics, natural language processing and understanding (NLP/NLU), semantic modelling, knowledge engineering and expert systems. He completed his doctoral studies at the Institute of Informatics of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, where his dissertation explored the use of individual knowledge in multi-robot teams. Throughout his career, he has contributed to several European research and development projects, primarily taking responsibility for semantic and knowledge technologies and the application of artificial intelligence methods. He has authored and co-authored a number of scientific and conference publications and contributed to two monographs in cognitive science. He has also developed several technologies for processing natural language and knowledge that are used in Xolution's products. As part of the SENSE (Semantic Analysis of the Slovak Language) project, he is helping develop an approach to semantic analysis of Slovak. Its aim is to transform natural language into a formal knowledge representation that can be used for machine interpretation of text. ### Petr Garský - Position: CEO of Nardo Space - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: A Company Running Like a Well-Oiled Machine: Communication, Tasks, Contextual Information, Continuity, Overview and AI (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrgarsky/ Speaker Petr Garský has worked as a business consultant on numerous projects in a variety of environments. Drawing on this experience, he developed a methodology for effective communication and collaboration, which he subsequently transformed into the concept behind the Nardo Space tool. He shares his expertise through the development and implementation of Nardo Space and through independent professional consulting. ### Petr Kacálek - Position: Head of Development at Cleverbee solutions - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Cybersecurity Without Licensing Costs (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrkacalek/ Petr’s career to date has been shaped by his experience leading teams in the delivery of IT services and technologies supporting ERP system operations. Since the beginning of his career, he has been interested in technological solutions for operating server and network infrastructure for businesses. He has experience building customer service teams as well as teams responsible for running information systems both on-premises and in the cloud. In his life and work, he is guided by values such as fairness, humanity, reliability, and mutual respect. In services, he puts a satisfied customer who can provide an excellent reference first. At Cleverbee solutions, he currently focuses on project management and delivery as well as cybersecurity, an area in which he expects strong demand from companies in the future. ### Petr Kasa - Position: CEO of Lokni - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Health & Biotech, Social Impact - Appearances: Hydration 2.0—Less Plastic, Better Health (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Křižík); Powerful, Not Replaceable: The Human Side of AI Transformation (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrkasa/ He studied Economics and Management in Construction at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Czech Technical University in Prague. Throughout his professional career, he has been active in e-commerce, retail, and distribution. He was involved in the founding of one of the most successful online retailers in Central Europe (KASA.cz, HEJ.sk), which was sold to a strategic investor in 2008. Between 2005 and 2012, he held managerial positions at the Finnish telecommunications company Nokia in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, where he served as Managing Director from 2010 to 2012. In 2012, he co-founded Pilulka Holding, a company operating dozens of pharmacies, distribution networks, and online stores across several countries. Under his leadership, the company was successfully listed on the Prague Stock Exchange in 2020, becoming the first publicly traded e-commerce company in the Czech Republic. In 2024, Pilulka was successfully sold. He currently serves as an investor and CEO of Lokni, a company focused on smart solutions for drinking water filtration for both public spaces and households. He has also served for several years as a member of the investment committee of the venture capital funds J&T Ventures, established by J&T Banka, and is a member of YPO (Young Presidents' Organization). In addition, he is active in local politics as a council member of the Prague–Dolní Chabry district and collaborates with several non-profit organizations. ### Petr Kavalíř - Position: Envoy for Quantum Technologies - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: Quantum Computing: When Will the Revolution Become Business? (Fri 2 Oct 13:30–14:20) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrkavalir/ Petr Kavalíř is the Envoy for Quantum Technologies at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. HE coordinates the national quantum ecosystem and the implementation of the Czech Quantum Strategy. He serves on the Governing Board of the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking for Quantum Technologies and is a member of the OECD Experts Group on Quantum Technologies. Since 2019, he has been CEO and Chairman of the Scientific Council at the New Technologies – Research Centre (NTC), University of West Bohemia. His work focuses on advancing quantum technologies through international cooperation, bridging science, policy, and industry, and strengthening global partnerships in research and innovation. ### Petr Knap - Position: Investor at PACE ORG s.r.o. - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: The Self-Managing Organization: Fiction or the Future? (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrknap/ Petr Knap is a strategy and business consultant with over 30 years of experience helping executives lead complex transformations. His work spans organizational change, process improvement, performance management, and cost optimization. His industry focus has been on manufacturing, automotive, and defense sectors. His current work centers on post-bureaucratic organizational design. He developed the PACE® framework - a model for self-managing, human-centered organizations built around autonomous teams. He also co-founded PACE ORG s.r.o. to bring these ideas into practice and increase awareness in the Czech business. In 2023, Petr co-founded knowdroids.ai, developing tailored AI agents based on LLM and generative AI technologies to improve productivity and unlock corporate knowledge. Clients describe him as someone who listens carefully, facilitates teams, challenges assumptions, and brings outside and different perspectives. He works across strategy development, mentoring, workshops, and leadership development. His client list includes BMW, ŠKODA AUTO, Toyota, Siemens, Roche, AstraZeneca, ČEZ, T-Mobile, Schaeffler, and Porsche CEE, among others. Petr is a founding member of PMI Czech Chamber, a member of the Scientific Council at the University of Economics Prague, and an Ambassador for the Global Peter Drucker Forum. ### Petr Mára - Position: Keynote speaker, Creatorpreneur & Tech optimist at Visa - Categories: Seminar - Appearances: The Agents Are Ready. ARE WE READY? Trust, Payments, and the Future of AI Beyond the Chat Window (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Newton); A User's Guide to the AI Era: How to Fit In, Succeed, and Stay Sane (Sat 3 Oct 13:00–13:30) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petrmara/ My name is Petr Mára, and I’ve spent most of my life observing one thing: how technology changes people. Not just markets, not just companies—but our minds, relationships, attention, and time. I spot trends before they reach the mainstream. Sometimes I make money from them. Often, I get burned. But that is exactly what allows me to explain them to others. In 2006, I launched Digit, one of the first Czech tech podcasts, at a time when the word “podcast” sounded more like a translation error than a real thing. Since then, I’ve been trying to do one thing: look at new technologies early enough that they don’t quite make sense yet—and that is precisely why they are worth paying attention to. For more than ten years, I worked with Apple as a trainer and speaker across the EMEA region—from Riyadh, Dubai, and Tel Aviv to Mumbai, Bangalore, and Europe. Technology is easily replaceable. The ability to adapt is not. I’ve been involved in crypto since 2017. In 2021, I fell into the world of digital art and NFTs. I made money. I lost a lot of it. But more importantly, I experienced firsthand what a new kind of ownership, community, and identity looks like in the digital world. What interests me most is the space between people and technology. How AI is changing our idea of creativity. How social media is rewriting what we call “attention.” That is why, in podcasts, on YouTube, and at conferences, I don’t just talk about what is “new” and “cool,” but above all about what it is doing to us. ### Petr Zahradník - Position: Co-Founder & CTO at Tapaya - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Digitalization & Transformation, Software - Appearances: AI-Native Commerce: Do Brands Still Need Shops? (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radek-janku/ Petr is Co-Founder and CTO at Tapaya, a Prague-based payments startup turning everyday devices into secure payment terminals. He leads technical integration and partnerships, helping merchants, FinTechs and banks unlock new transaction volumes without dedicated POS hardware. At Tapaya, Petr leads the engineering of a software-based payment infrastructure designed to embed in-person payments directly into phones, tablets, kiosks and other commercial devices. The platform combines payment acceptance, security, certification and integrations with existing payment rails into a single technology stack, allowing partners to bring SoftPOS products to market without having to build the underlying payment infrastructure themselves. With deep expertise in payment security and certification, Petr leads the project through PCI certifications and builds Tapaya’s secure, scalable, end-to-end certified payment stack. Before founding Tapaya, he worked across payment security, cryptography, penetration testing and PCI compliance. His focus is on bridging the gap between complex regulated payment infrastructure and products that developers, banks and FinTechs can integrate and scale in practice. ### Petra Capin - Position: Co-Founder of tech2impact - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Green Tech & Environment, Health & Biotech, Digitalization & Transformation, Social Impact - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pcapin/ Petra Ćapin is a co-founder of tech2impact, a Vienna-based nonprofit organization and global network for innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers focused on creating positive impact. At tech2impact, she has been involved in building and leading programs supporting founders and professionals across Europe and beyond. These include EDGE, a mentoring-based program for impact-driven startups, and the INSIDEOUT Summit, an annual gathering focused on the future of meaningful innovation and positive-impact finance. Her work sits at the intersection of ecosystem building, program design, and community development – connecting people, ideas, and resources to help create meaningful change. ### Pham Huu Uyen - Position: Aviation Software Director - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Travel, Transport & Logistics, Software - Appearances: Between Two Worlds: The Vietnamese Community and a New Generation of Czechs (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–10:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pham-huu-uyen-184a493/ Pham Huu Uyen is a technology professional with extensive experience in the aviation industry, specializing in airline operations, workforce management, and resource planning systems. Throughout his career, he has worked on the design and delivery of solutions that help airlines and airports optimize complex operational processes and make better business decisions in dynamic environments. A significant part of his work has focused on applying mathematical optimization techniques to real-world planning challenges, including aircraft assignment, crew scheduling, workforce allocation, and operational resource management. By combining advanced optimization methods with modern software technologies, he has helped organizations improve efficiency, operational resilience, and service quality. In recent years, he has also been involved in the adoption of artificial intelligence in enterprise applications. His current focus includes the development of AI-powered copilot solutions that support the daily operational management of flight crews and airport ground personnel. These solutions bring together operational data, business rules, and AI to assist users in decision-making and routine operational tasks. Working closely with international customers and multidisciplinary teams, Uyen is passionate about turning innovative ideas into practical solutions that deliver measurable business value. ### Přemysl Voráč - Position: Head of Artificial Intelligence at ČEPS - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: ICT & Municipality, Energy & Resources, AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Energy Transformation: The Race for Smarter, Cleaner & More Independent Power (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:50) Přemysl Voráč is Head of Artificial Intelligence at ČEPS, the Czech transmission system operator. He has more than 10 years of experience across AI, software engineering, data science, and power systems. At ČEPS he built the AI function from the ground up. He is responsible for AI strategy, governance, and enterprise adoption, and for developing AI capabilities that can run reliably in critical infrastructure. Before that, he led the Energy Management Systems team, which brought together specialists in power-system engineering, software development, data science, and AI. His work covered advanced power-system analysis, computational methods, the Common Grid Model and CGMES, machine learning, and decision support for transmission system operations. He has a background in power systems and cybernetics, and his PhD focused on power-system optimisation. His main interest is turning new AI technologies, including large language models, into working tools that deliver measurable results. ### Radim Kudla - Position: Department of Computer Graphics and Multimedia at Vysoké učení technické v Brně - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, IoT, Security & Privacy, Social Impact, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: VUT’s Innovation Role in the AI Community (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Archimedes) Radim Kudla works at the Faculty of Information Technology at Brno University of Technology as a Technology Transfer Manager, focusing on connecting academic research with the commercial world. He helps academics and students transform cutting-edge scientific ideas into MVPs and commercially viable products and services. In doing so, he builds on more than 13 years of experience developing a technology company in the field of voice AI, including senior management roles and a successful exit. ### Regina Loukotová - Position: Architect and Head of ARCHIP - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Robotics & Automation, Digitalization & Transformation Regina Loukotová is an architect, educator, and co-founder of ARCHIP – Architectural Institute in Prague, where she serves as Rector. She is dedicated to architectural education, contemporary design, and fostering an international academic environment. ### René Sion - Position: Managing Director at Dallmayr ČR - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Travel, Transport & Logistics, Robotics & Automation, Digitalization & Transformation, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: Innovation in Every Cup and Across Logistics: How Technology Is Transforming Vending (Thu 1 Oct 12:00–12:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://cz.linkedin.com/in/ren%C3%A9-sion-b8185033 René Sion is one of the key figures who have fundamentally shaped modern coffee culture in the Czech Republic. Since 2001, he has served as Managing Director of Dallmayr’s Czech branch. He built it from the ground up into a respected leader in coffee services, vending and gastronomy, providing catering for major social events as well as Prague Castle. His path to coffee was unusual. In the 1990s, he worked in Italy as an optician. After returning to the Czech Republic, his knowledge of Italian led him to join a vending-machine company, from where Dallmayr itself later approached him to establish its Czech branch. He helped transform how coffee is perceived in the Czech Republic. He disproved the myth that Czech customers do not demand quality and has consistently championed honesty, freshness and modern technology. He has always been at the forefront of innovation, whether introducing contactless payments in vending machines or developing his own ideas, such as the Cafédock mobile coffee system. He has also connected business with culture in an unusual way by turning the company’s headquarters into a modern-art gallery. His guiding principle is that everything he does must make sense and deserves his full commitment. He regards hard work, openness to new ideas and a willingness to change established patterns as the keys to success. Faith, family, health and harmony play an important role in his life. He rejects dishonesty and manipulation and holds both himself and those around him to high standards. He loves Prague and enjoys coffee as an espresso or Viennese coffee. René Sion is an inspiring manager who connects tradition with innovation and personal values with professional success. ### Richard Krajník - Position: CEO of Sázíme Česko - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Social Impact - Appearances: Nature Positive: When Company Growth Means Nature Growth (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, Křižík) - LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richard-krajnik-sazime-cesko ### Richard Straka - Position: Digitization Team Leader at Akkodis - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Health & Biotech, IoT, Security & Privacy, Robotics & Automation, Software, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Digitalization & Transformation, Technologies & Hardware - Appearances: The Future of Enterprise AI Has Four Steps. You Can Climb Three of Them Right Now (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardstraka/ Richard Straka is a team lead and software developer at the global company Akkodis. For more than ten years, he has worked at the intersection of digitalization, robotics and modern software engineering. His main focus is software DevOps and AI & data—from solution design to secure production deployment. Alongside leading a team of developers, he designs architectures and builds scalable applications and data platforms. He focuses on automating development and deployment and on the reliable operation of AI solutions using modern DevOps and MLOps practices. He has delivered AI-first projects based on large language models, as well as business-intelligence and data-visualization solutions. As a leader, he emphasizes a clear vision, measurable metrics and collaborative customer communication. He connects business objectives with his team’s technical capabilities, actively mentors talent and safeguards delivery quality. He holds an M.Sc. in Intelligent Systems from Brno University of Technology. ### Robot Argus - Position: Moderator & AI Guide - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Robotics & Automation - Appearances: How Robots Learn: From the First Step to Understanding Humans (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–11:30) Argus is equipped with a sophisticated voice assistant and its own knowledge base. He can engage in natural conversations with visitors, respond to their questions, and complement his communication with interactive gestures. He is also aware of his surroundings and able to react to them. Argus is also our “event humanoid” and regularly appears at conferences, exhibitions, trade fairs, and various corporate and social events. Thanks to his interactive capabilities and ability to communicate with visitors, he has become a popular and distinctive part of event programs. Companies and organizations can also invite him to their own events, where he can act as an interactive moderator, guide, information assistant, or simply an engaging technological attraction that naturally draws visitors’ attention. For Innovation Week, his knowledge base will be specially adapted to provide visitors with relevant information about the event. Argus will also be prepared to make an appearance as part of the Innovation Week program. ### Robot Ignác - Position: Humanoid Robot and Development Platform - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Robotics & Automation Ignác is one of the latest additions to the world of humanoid robotics. He is a Unitree H2 EDU model developed by the Chinese company Unitree—a full-size humanoid platform designed primarily for the development, research, and testing of new robotic technologies. His home base is Alza.cz, where he is used primarily to showcase and popularize humanoid robotics while also serving as a platform for further development and practical testing of its capabilities. The H2 EDU opens up opportunities for development in areas such as embodied AI, teleoperation, autonomous movement, and object manipulation. Platforms like this allow developers and researchers to explore how humanoid robots could operate in real-world environments and perform increasingly complex tasks in the future. At Innovation Week, visitors will have the opportunity to see Ignác up close, discover the technology shaping the future of humanoid robotics, and experience a small glimpse of that future today. ### Robot Rhea - Position: Teleoperation Developer - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Robotics & Automation - Appearances: Teaching a Humanoid: Rhea Learns Through Teleoperation (Sat 3 Oct 12:30–13:00) Rhea is primarily used as a research and development platform. In the laboratory, researchers use her to develop full-body control systems and work on manipulation tasks using five-finger tactile robotic hands. At Innovation Week, Rhea and our colleagues at the exhibition will demonstrate teleoperation—the ability for a human operator to control the movements of a humanoid robot in real time. ### Roman Bleha - Position: Associate Professor at the University of Chemistry and Technology Prague - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-bleha-24298753/ Roman Bleha, Ph.D., is a researcher and university lecturer at the Department of Carbohydrates and Cereals, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Czech Republic. He is a member of the Polysaccharide Research and Application Group, where his research focuses on the isolation, purification, structural characterization, and biological activities of natural polysaccharides. His work primarily investigates polysaccharides derived from medicinal mushrooms, microalgae, macroalgae, yeasts, and bacteria. He is particularly interested in understanding relationships between polysaccharide structure and biological function, including prebiotic, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. His research employs advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques, including GC-FID, GC–MS, SEC-MALS, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Roman Bleha supervises bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students and participates in national and international research collaborations. His current research interests also include the sustainable valorisation of food-processing side streams, the development of polysaccharide-based biomaterials, and the application of non-thermal plasma in modifying polysaccharide materials. He is the main organiser of the International Conference on Polysaccharides – Glycoscience (ICPG) in Prague, which brings together researchers and industry professionals working in polysaccharide research, development, and applications. ### Roman Bobák - Position: Consulting Partner at B-Tree Consulting - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Robotics & Automation, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Autonomous AI in Companies: Why the Three Laws of Robotics Are Not Enough (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanbobak/ Throughout my career, I have worked in environments undergoing major technological change, where business objectives, IT, suppliers, and people must be connected into one functioning whole. I have led global IT projects and services, managed complex supplier relationships, and participated in transformation programs in international organizations. My experience spans software development and enterprise architecture, SAP, cloud and integrations, as well as strategy, governance, and change management. Today, I apply this experience at B-Tree Consulting in companies’ technological transformations and at AyDEO, where I explore practical ways to integrate AI and autonomous digital workers into the real-world operation of organizations. ### Roman Kůgel - Position: Chief Product Officer at Home Credit CZ & SK - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Who Will Own the Future of Convenience? (Fri 2 Oct 10:20–11:05) What happens to lenders when AI agents begin making financial decisions on behalf of consumers? Roman Kůgel is building a product strategy for that future. He is determined to ensure that a regulated lender does not become an invisible commodity in the background, but remains the trusted solution that both customers and their AI agents understand and choose. As Product Division Director at Home Credit CZ & SK, part of PPF Group, Roman leads product strategy and innovation across consumer lending, point-of-sale financing, and products for small businesses. Working with customers ranging from prime to near-prime gives him a broad perspective on how AI can make financial products more personalized, accessible, and transparent. Roman approaches AI as a builder, not merely as an observer. He systematically integrates AI agents and workflows into his own daily work and into the way his division operates, while navigating the demands of one of Europe's most highly regulated industries. His career spans software development, IT leadership, and product management. At Home Credit, he built the Kamali microloan platform and led the company's mobile-app-first transformation, taking end-to-end responsibility for both product and technology. He sees products as technology systems that create measurable business and customer value, not as marketing concepts. Roman holds a degree in Information Management from Brno University of Technology. ### Roman Soběslav - Position: Software Engineer at Cleverbee solutions - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Software - Appearances: Cybersecurity Without Licensing Costs (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Wichterle) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-sob%C4%9Bslav-b13438220/ Roman works at Cleverbee solutions as a solution architect specializing in Identity Management (IdM), Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), and enterprise system integration. He helps organizations design and implement enterprise identity management solutions that support secure access governance, identity lifecycle automation, and efficient administration of user permissions. When designing solutions, he combines expertise in software development, system integration, and enterprise architecture. He focuses on integrating IdM and IGA platforms with enterprise applications, designing integration interfaces, and identifying suitable technological approaches for the complex environments of large organizations. He places particular emphasis on security, operational reliability, and the long-term sustainability of the proposed solutions. Throughout his career, he has contributed to projects focused on the digitalization and automation of identity management processes. Working with clients, he helps identify appropriate solutions for managing enterprise identities and permissions with the aim of improving security, simplifying administration, and ensuring efficient access management across the organization. ### Roman Stolejda - Position: CEO of Inovatix - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact - Appearances: Clean Up First, Then Automate (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–11:45, Křižík); AI Isn’t Lying to You. You’re Not Telling It Anything. (Sat 3 Oct 14:00–14:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-stolejda-71743a28 Roman Stolejda is the founder and CEO of Inovatix, a Czech AI education and consulting company, and co-founder of Gluon AI, a joint venture with the software house Quanti that combines AI strategy with the delivery capacity of more than 150 developers. Before AI, Roman spent over 25 years in media and marketing, and it shows in how he teaches. His specialty is explaining artificial intelligence to people who don't write code: board members, managers, doctors, school inspectors. His rule is simple: if a fifty-year-old CFO can't use it on Monday morning, it wasn't a good training. He co-hosts AI v kostce ("AI in a Nutshell"), one of the most listened-to AI podcasts in the Czech Republic, where he and co-host David Bauckmann release a new episode every Tuesday for 58,000 subscribers, most of them business decision-makers rather than developers. His recent work includes AI training and implementation projects for Česká spořitelna (Erste Group), the Czech School Inspectorate, hospitals, and automotive dealerships. Much of it now revolves around AI agents: not as a buzzword, but as a practical question his clients ask every week, namely which parts of their work they can hand over, and which they shouldn't. He lives in Prague, and when he is not talking about AI, he is usually running. Sometimes both at once. ### Romana Lantorová - Position: Director of Strategic Initiatives in Central & Eastern Europe - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation, She=Business, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: AI-Native Commerce: Do Brands Still Need Shops? (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:50); AI Workshop – How prepared are we for AI in the Czech Republic? (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–12:00) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romana-lantorov%C3%A1-17728610/ Romana Lantorová is Director, Strategic Initiatives CEE at Visa, where she focuses on strategic initiatives in e-commerce and the digitalisation of payments across Central and Eastern Europe. In her role, she focuses on innovation and the implementation of new technologies that improve customer experience and support digital transformation. She has extensive experience in leading projects in the area of payment cards and digital services, with the aim of creating solutions that deliver value to clients, partners, and end users alike. ### Roosevelt Elias - Position: Founder & CEO of Payble - Categories: Panel discussion - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, AI & Machine Learning, IoT, Security & Privacy - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rooseveltelias/ Roosevelt Elias is a visionary product technologist, entrepreneur, and the Founder and CEO of Payble, a pioneering fintech company dedicated to transforming financial access for micro and small businesses in emerging markets globally. With extensive expertise in AI, blockchain, and inclusive finance, Roosevelt has devoted his career to developing technology that uplifts underserved communities and fosters economic growth. While Payble is currently focused on the African market, the company’s vision is resolutely global, aiming to empower micro entrepreneurs around the world with the tools they need to thrive in the digital economy. Roosevelt’s mission is to create a more equitable economic landscape by harnessing the power of technology to unlock the potential of the smallest businesses, driving sustainable development and reducing poverty on a global scale. By focusing on financial inclusion and economic empowerment, he envisions a future where micro businesses become catalysts for broader societal transformation. Roosevelt’s extensive experience in building technology solutions that are both innovative and inclusive makes him a leading voice in the push toward a more equitable global economy. ### Ryan James Kemp - Position: Lead Steward of Liberating Futures Thinking - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Health & Biotech, Travel, Transport & Logistics, Social Impact - Appearances: Humanity 2030: Who Really Benefits from Progress? (Thu 1 Oct 09:05–09:55); The Rise of Agentic AI - From Artificial Intelligence to Collective Intelligence (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanrajames8 Ryan James Kemp is a systems futurist, regenerative strategist, and founder of the world’s first systems thinking un/school, (re)Biz. His work explores how AI, complexity, and civilizational disruption are reshaping not only institutions and economies, but human perception itself. Bridging systems theory, relational intelligence, neuroscience, Indigenous knowledge systems, and organizational transformation, Ryan offers a deeply interdisciplinary lens on what it means to prepare humanity for futures that cannot be navigated through inherited models of thinking alone. Rather than approaching AI exclusively as a technological revolution, his contribution focuses on the human operating systems beneath it: attention, perception, nervous systems, meaning-making, leadership, and the relational conditions shaping the futures we are collectively entering. ### Sam Gandy - Position: Researcher & Science Communicator at The Beckley Foundation - Categories: Panel discussion - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-gandy-21706335/ Sam is a PhD ecologist, independent researcher, and science communicator. He has a lifelong love of nature, and his work has spanned both the ecological and psychedelic fields. His work in the psychedelic field includes a past role as a scientific assistant to the director of the Beckley Foundation (and a current role as a scientific researcher), a senior science writer for Wavepaths, and a research assistant and ecopsychology coordinator with the Synthesis Institute. Sam also leads fungi cultivation workshops, teaching beginners this rewarding and occasionally exasperating hobby. His work as an independent researcher has involved collaborations with a range of academics and institutes, including affiliations with the Psychedelic and Exceptional Experience Lab (PEEL) at the University of Greenwich and the Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) at the University of Virginia, and collaborations with the Centre for Psychedelic Research Imperial College London, University of Zurich, Onaya Science, Beckley Psytech, the Beckley Foundation, and the Institute of Noetic Sciences. He has broad interests, researching altered states of consciousness, but his primary research interest is the capacity of psychedelic substances to influence human relationships with nature. ### Sasha Lipman - Position: Co-founder of tech2impact, Event Host & Experience Designer - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Social Impact, She=Business, Technologies & Hardware - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashalipman/ Sasha Lipman is the co-founder of tech2impact, a global network connecting 1,000+ purpose-driven innovators, running accelerator and entrepreneurship programs in partnership with institutions such as the Vienna Business Agency and the Austrian Red Cross. Alongside building tech2impact, Sasha works as an event moderator and experience designer, having facilitated over 50 events across Europe — from intimate innovation workshops to international conferences of 1,000+ attendees, spanning topics in tech, leadership, sustainability, and social impact. Vienna-based with deep ties to Ukraine, Sasha brings a multicultural lens to every stage and community she shapes. Her work sits at the intersection of two disciplines that rarely meet: building ecosystems that connect people long-term, and designing live moments where those connections come alive on stage. She calls this her search for "the red thread" — the invisible through-line that turns a lineup of speakers or a community of strangers into something cohesive, energizing, and memorable. At Innovation Week Prague, Sasha brings both perspectives to the table: the founder's understanding of what ecosystems actually need, and the moderator's instinct for what makes an audience lean in. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, her focus stays the same — creating spaces, conversations, and experiences where purpose-driven people can do their best work together. ### Sediqa Sharifi - Position: Founder & CCO of SheConnects - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sediqa-sharifi/ Founder and CCO of SheConnects. Sediqa Sharifi is the Founder and CCO of SheConnects, a social impact startup based in Italy that reconnects highly skilled Afghan women to the global job market through ethical remote work. Her mission is to create dignified economic opportunities for women who have been excluded from the workforce following the political changes in Afghanistan. Originally from Afghanistan, Sediqa worked in international and governmental environments, including roles at the Turkish Embassy in Kabul and the Presidential Office of Afghanistan. Alongside her professional career, she has long been engaged in advocacy for women’s rights and gender equality. After the fall of Afghanistan in 2021, she moved to Italy, where she completed a Master’s degree in International Management at the University of Bologna. During this time, she continued raising awareness in Europe about the challenges faced by Afghan women and the urgent need for sustainable economic opportunities. Driven by this reality, she founded SheConnects to bridge the gap between talented Afghan professionals and organizations seeking high-quality digital services. Through a managed model, SheConnects enables women in Afghanistan to work safely and remotely for international clients. Today, Sediqa focuses on building partnerships, expanding the company’s impact, and creating scalable opportunities that restore economic independence and professional dignity for Afghan women. ### Senta Čermáková - Position: Board Member & Director of International Operations of Czechitas - Categories: Homepage 2026 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sentacermakova/ Board Member & Director of International Operations of Czechitas, Co-founder Inspiruj.se, CEMS and NYU Teacher, Executive Coach Senta is an award-winning business professional with twenty years of international experience in Sales, Innovations and Mergers & Acquisitions. She is the author of Czechitas AI Transformation Manager and Czechitas Maternity Plus Program and a big supporter of gender equality. In the past, she held the role of Chief Innovation Officer in Deloitte Central Europe & Czech Republic. She built the innovations team from scratch by employing budding young geniuses as interns from various universities and has pioneered the field of technological & social innovation in the Czech Republic. She previously held the role of Worldwide Customer Programs Director at Hewlett Packard where she has been instrumental in transforming the way HP's customer programs are engaged by both Sales and Marketing. Senta is a graduate of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague and holds the Master of Science in Biocybernetics. In 2011, Senta won the Czech Business Person of the Year award, becoming the first female ever to win this coveted prize in the competition's 20-year history, in 2016, she won the Advocate Marketing Academy Award in Advocate Recruitment, and her team has won the Deloitte CE Impact Award twice: ‘Keeping pace with the start-up world’ in 2018 & ‘Building up a new culture of social responsibility entangled with business innovation’ in 2019. Together with her husband, Milos Cermak, she co-founded and educational startup Inspiruj.se, and educated 12 thousand practitioners in the areas of strategic digital and AI competences. She serves as the Executive Coach of managers, and she also teaches Critical Thinking in Business Futurology at Prague University of Economics and Business, CEMS Program and Technology in Business and Society at NYU Prague. Senta is a fan of wine & Belgian beer, an ardent writer of blogs on wine & books and regularly contributes to various media and conferences. ### Simon Klinga - Position: Founder of LASAR - Categories: Keynote, Panel discussion - Verticals: Space & Beyond - Appearances: SIMON KLINGA: Using Lasers to Combat Space Debris (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–11:20); Who Owns Space? (Sat 3 Oct 11:20–12:10) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-klinga-199a62269 At 17, Simon sent his own satellite to space aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9. Now he is building LASAR, an organization focused on space debris mitigation. His mission is to make the orbital economy sustainable, so life can reach its full potential and become multi-planetary. LASAR recently targeted its satellite using ESA's Izaña-2 laser station. These ongoing tests point toward scalable ways of making orbit safe for the expansion of space infrastructure. Simon has been named a Forbes 30 Under 30 and has spoken at SXSW, the Skoll World Forum at Oxford, and the Moonshot Awards in New York City. ### Šimon Rákosník - Position: EVP CEE at Antenna Group - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Green Tech & Environment - Appearances: Wind Turbines or Data Centers? Crisis and Influence Communications in the AI Era (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonrakosnik/ Šimon Rákosník is a communications and business leader with extensive experience in technology, innovation and corporate communications. He currently serves as Executive Vice President for Central and Eastern Europe at Antenna Group, where he is responsible for the company’s operations in Czechia and Slovakia and contributes to its broader development across the CEE region. Throughout his career, Šimon has worked at the intersection of business, technology and communications. Before joining Antenna Group, he founded and led Rubikon PR, a communications agency with a strong focus on technology and innovation. He also gained experience at international communications consultancies including AMI Communications and Grayling, working with companies and brands operating in rapidly evolving industries. His career has been shaped by helping businesses explain complex ideas, introduce new technologies and navigate periods of significant change. This experience is particularly relevant at a time when the energy sector is undergoing one of its most important transformations. The transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy is not only a technological challenge, but also a business, policy and communications challenge—requiring companies, institutions and the public to understand both the opportunities and the trade-offs involved. At this panel, Šimon brings a perspective shaped by years of working with innovation-driven businesses and emerging technologies. He is interested in how new ideas move from ambition to real-world adoption, and in the role that clear communication can play in building understanding and support for change. His background offers a practical lens on the green-energy transition, connecting technological innovation with business realities and the wider public conversation around sustainability. ### Simona Zábržová - Position: CEO & Founder of Soulmio s.r.o. - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, Health & Biotech - Appearances: From Specialist to Leader: How to Master the Biggest Career Transformation (Thu 1 Oct 15:00–15:45, Visionaries) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonazabrzova/ Simona has been active in top-level business for more than 20 years and is considered a sought-after business consultant, mentor, and lecturer. She has served as CEO of Suitu, Giftisimo, and Bushman. For the past seven years, she has been fully dedicated to the startup Soulmio, which focuses on online mental health care for companies. She is also a co-founder of the Mendeor Institute, which connects AI, mental resilience, leadership, and performance. In 2025, Soulmio received the Deloitte FAST50 award in the Impact Stars category, and Simona is also the recipient of the Innovators 2020 award from Hospodářské noviny. ### Solveig Honoré Hatton - Position: Senior Vice President for Public Sector & Strategic Growth in Europe at Mastercard Europe - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, ICT & Municipality, Social Impact - Appearances: Digitalizing Government: What Will Public Administration Look Like in the Future? (Fri 2 Oct 11:45–12:30) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solveig-hatton-57320823/ Solveig’s focus is at the intersection between Digital Technologies, Inclusive & Sustainable Growth and Government Innovation. With her team, across European markets, she partners with public entities on innovative programs in the areas of public services optimization, SMEs digitalization, sustainable tourism, smart mobility and cybersecurity. Prior to that, she was the General Manager for the French market, responsible for the deployment of Mastercard strategy and growth in France. She worked on a partnership basis with private and public entities, developed Mastercard services footprint while focusing on driving innovation and accelerating digitalization of all means of payment in the market. Before that, Solveig has held several positions for Mastercard in France such as Head of Business Development and Head of Mastercard Advisors. Before joining Mastercard in 2012, she has earned her spurs in consulting for bank and financial institutions both in London and Paris. ### Štěpán Húsek - Position: CEO of Meonzi - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Are We Getting Smarter — or Just More Dependent? Life, Leadership & AI Agents (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamila-dvorak/ Štěpán is the CEO of Meonzi, a subsidiary of Trask focused on enterprise transformation, enterprise architecture, digital strategy, and solution implementation. He has more than 25 years of experience managing change and delivering complex projects in banking, insurance, energy, telecommunications, the automotive industry, and manufacturing companies. His expertise includes custom solution development, implementation of packaged platforms, modernization of enterprise systems, simplifying product portfolios, and unifying technology platforms in multinational companies. Previously, he served as a Partner at Deloitte CE and as a Client Trusted Advisor at IBM, where he led large-scale transformation initiatives and technology modernization programs. ### Stijn Staes - Position: Executive Coach, Trusted Advisor & Podcast Host - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Space & Beyond, Health & Biotech, Social Impact - Appearances: Powerful, Not Replaceable: The Human Side of AI Transformation (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stijnstaes/ Stijn Staes is an inspiring leader with more than 25 years of experience in international management, human resources, and performance coaching. Throughout his career, he has held global leadership roles in organizations such as Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), where he managed high-impact operations in crisis regions around the world. He later worked as a senior HR manager in companies with up to 1,500 employees and served as Director of Change at Belgium’s largest youth work organization. Today, Stijn is an Executive Coach and Trusted Advisor, guiding CEOs, entrepreneurs, and freelancers through transformative journeys toward conscious and resilient leadership. Through his coaching practice, Stappen met Stijn, he helps leaders reconnect with purpose, combining strategic perspective with deep human connection. He is the creator and host of the podcast “Becoming Human Again”, where he explores visionary thinking and transformational leadership in today’s complex world. In 2025, he published his first book, “Becoming Human Again,” offering profound insights into purpose-driven leadership that goes beyond traditional definitions of success. Stijn’s work is grounded in global experience, emotional intelligence, and a deep commitment to inspiring a new generation of conscious leaders. ### Tadeáš Marek - Position: Founder & CEO of Boost.space - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Software, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: The Rise of Vibe Coding: When Anyone Can Build the Next Big Thing (Fri 2 Oct 09:00–09:50); AI-Native Commerce: Do Brands Still Need Shops? (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:50); From Product Catalogue to Action: Bringing AI Agents into Real Operations (Fri 2 Oct 12:00–12:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tadeas-marek/ Tadeáš Marek is the founder and CEO of Boost.space, a company building secured, governed and trained AI Employees for real business operations. He began his career in marketing, where he saw how fragmented data across disconnected tools slowed teams down and made meaningful automation difficult. That problem led him to create Boost.space. Today, Tadeáš is leading the company into its next chapter: helping businesses move beyond AI assistants that only answer questions or generate content. Boost.space deploys AI Employees that take ownership of one clearly defined, measurable job. They work with live company context, follow scoped permissions, involve people at agreed approval points, and write their actions back into the systems a business already uses. This approach is powered by Boost.space’s governed agentic data layer, which connects company data, tools and processes while keeping human oversight and accountability in place. Businesses can deploy a ready-made specialist for a proven role or build a custom AI Employee around a responsibility unique to their organization. Under Tadeáš’s leadership, Boost.space is making operational AI practical for companies across commerce, marketing, finance, HR, engineering and back-office teams. He speaks about AI, automation and the future of work, with a focus on what it takes to move from experimentation to AI systems that can safely perform real work and deliver measurable results. ### Táňa Zimmermannová - Position: Educational Programs Methodologist and Lecturer at Institute Zahrada pro duši - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech - Appearances: Stress Under Control (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:45, Křižík) She works as an educational programs methodologist at the Zahrada pro duši Institute. She takes part in developing and accrediting educational programs, trains professionals, and guides schools and other organizations on topics of trauma, stress, crisis situations, and support for the mental health of children and adolescents. She also leads talks for parents and the general public focused on children's mental health in the context of their developmental needs and tasks. In this role, she draws on her many years of experience as a teacher, behavioral education specialist, therapist, methodologist, and lecturer. In her career so far, she has worked in education, healthcare, and public administration. She has worked in multidisciplinary teams focused on supporting children's mental health, and has been involved in school development, teacher training, strategic change management, and support in addressing challenging behavior in children and adolescents. She has completed psychotherapy training, crisis intervention training, and further specialized training in trauma, mediation, and developing learning potential. In her work, she brings together knowledge from special education, psychology, neuroscience, and contemporary approaches to trauma-informed practice. She works from the belief that understanding what lies behind a child's behavior is the foundation of effectively supporting their mental health. She emphasizes a respectful approach, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and practical methods that can help professionals and parents alike create a safe environment that supports healthy child development. ### Tarja Stephens - Position: Founder & CEO of Leaders of the Future - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation, She=Business, Social Impact - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarja-stephens/ Tarja Stephens is a Finnish-American business leader, author, keynote speaker, and executive AI advisor recognized for her work on the future of leadership in the age of AI. She helps executive teams understand how organizations are redesigning work across humans and AI agents, and what this shift means for leadership and human agency. ### Tereza Fukátková - Position: Head of AI at TV Nova - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: TV Nova Presents: Learn How to Create AI Skills (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Johnson); AI as Creator: Who Owns Culture Now? (Fri 2 Oct 11:30–12:20) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terezafukatkova/ Tereza is an expert who specializes in connecting the world of business with the latest technologies. As Head of AI at TV Nova, she is responsible for the strategic integration of artificial intelligence across the company. She advocates a pragmatic approach to innovation: she believes that tangible AI benefits come from incremental steps, targeted experiments, and intensive dialogue with the business. Her team covers the entire AI ecosystem, from technical development to education, helping to find solutions that increase efficiency and open up new opportunities. She gained extensive experience leading and building data teams at FEG and Seznam.cz. She actively shares her knowledge as an instructor in professional courses, focusing on the practical use of AI in data analytics and companies’ strategic readiness to adopt new technologies. ### Tereza Jirásková - Position: Attorney-at-law - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, IoT, Security & Privacy, Software - Appearances: Your Product Isn't Yours. Until You Have It in Writing. (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Archimedes) Tereza focuses on contract law, information and communications technology law, and consumer law. Her practice also includes providing legal advice to startups at every stage of their existence and to investors acquiring startups. ### Tomáš Grec - Position: Sales Director and Partner at Real Luxembourg, a.s. - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto - Appearances: A New Era of Real Estate: Investing in and Renovating Apartment Buildings (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Křižík) - LinkedIn: https://cz.linkedin.com/in/tomasgrec Tomáš Grec is a Partner at the Real Luxembourg investment group, where he leads business and marketing development. He is a prominent figure in the Czech real estate market and has long been developing a network of the group’s own real estate agencies within its holding structure. He is also the founder of several other companies focused on real estate investment and development, including Český fond bydlení. Thanks to his strong business instincts and ability to identify opportunities others often overlook, he transforms ordinary properties into highly profitable projects. Throughout his career in investment and real estate, he has been committed to raising standards and contributing to the development of the Czech real estate market. ### Tomáš Jochman - Position: Researcher & Team Leader at At CIIRC CTU - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: Embodied AI: When Robots Leave the Lab and enter Reality (Thu 1 Oct 11:30–12:20) Tomáš Jochman is a robotics researcher and teamleader at the Czech Institute of Informatics, Robotics and Cybernetics (CIIRC CTU) and a co-founder of the Interdisciplinary Center for Humanoid Robotics (ICHR). His work focuses on bringing advanced robotics and Physical AI from research environments into practical industrial applications. At CIIRC CTU, he works on applied research in robotics, simulation, digital twins, autonomous systems, and industrial automation, with a strong emphasis on connecting AI with real machines and production processes. In recent years, his work has increasingly focused on humanoid robotics and Embodied AI: how robots can perceive their environment, understand tasks, manipulate objects, move safely around people, and learn from human demonstrations and real-world data. Through ICHR, Tomáš contributes to building an interdisciplinary platform that connects robotics and AI research with industrial partners and addresses the broader challenges of deploying humanoid robots in practice, including safety, cybersecurity, regulation, and human–robot collaboration. His current focus is the transition from impressive laboratory demonstrations to reliable real-world systems. This includes identifying meaningful industrial use cases, developing and validating robotic capabilities, and exploring how technologies such as teleoperation, vision-language-action models, digital twins, and learning from demonstration can enable robots to operate in less structured environments. ### Tomáš Kopecký - Position: CEO of FranklinCovey - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: From Control to Trust and Inspiration: The Shift That Unlocks Innovation (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Faraday) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkopecky/ Tomas has been leading FranklinCovey in the Czech Republic and Slovakia since 2005 and has owned the company since 2016. He focuses on consulting activities aimed at systemic change, particularly the ability of companies to achieve strategic goals, building agile organizations, and transforming corporate culture. "It only makes sense to do meaningful things. Achieving goals that lack meaning elevates no one." Tomas brings this mindset into his collaboration with clients – helping them reach their goals with maximum involvement of all stakeholders. He spent eleven years working in various managerial positions in multinational companies within the automotive industry – Rover & Land Rover and Ford Motor Company. During this time, he gained extensive experience in management roles, especially in sales, dealer network management, and human resources. He is interested in the history of societies and their development in the context of the evolution of thought, religion, technological progress, and economic relations. ### Tomáš Křivda - Position: CEO of AC Sparta Prague - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Sparta as You’ve Never Seen It Before. (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:20); Data in sport Partnership (Fri 2 Oct 16:00–16:50) Tomáš Křivda is the CEO and a member of the Board of Directors of AC Sparta Prague. He has been associated with the club for over two decades, during which time he has held various positions ranging from intern and marketing roles to senior executive leadership. Thanks to a unique combination of extensive professional experience and a personal connection to the club, he has played a pivotal role in its modernization and transformation into an organization operating according to the highest standards of European sports management. As Marketing Director, he spearheaded significant changes in fan engagement, brand building, digitalization, and the development of commercial activities. Under his leadership, Sparta has significantly strengthened relationships with key stakeholders, including partners, the media, and the fan community. In his current role, he is responsible for the overall management of the club, the implementation of its long-term strategy, and the organization's continued development. He focuses primarily on enhancing sporting and financial performance, infrastructure development, innovation within the sports business, and strengthening the international standing of the AC Sparta Prague brand. He is actively involved in the activities of domestic and international football institutions, including the LFA, FAČR, EFC, and UEFA. ### Tomáš Páleníček - Position: Head of the Psychedelic Research Centre at NIMH, Czech Republic - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Health & Biotech Since 2001, he has worked at the National Institute of Mental Health (formerly the Prague Psychiatric Centre), where he began conducting preclinical research into the neurobiology of schizophrenia using pharmacological models of psychosis. He subsequently focused on the neurobiology of the effects of psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin, 2C-B and mescaline, as well as entactogens such as MDMA (ecstasy) and novel synthetic drugs. Alongside his postgraduate research, he completed clinical training in psychiatry, during which he obtained specialist certification in electroencephalography (EEG). In 2009, he defended his doctoral thesis, and in 2012 he obtained his specialization in psychiatry. Over the past decade, he has led or participated in several clinical trials involving ketamine, psilocybin, ayahuasca and MDMA, serving as both principal investigator and co-investigator. Until recently, he was the principal investigator on several grants focused on psychedelic research. In 2022, he became Head of the Centre for Psychedelic Research at the National Institute of Mental Health in the Czech Republic. His current research interests include clinical trials with psychedelics, translational research and neuroimaging studies using EEG. He is also one of the co-founders of the Psychedelic Research Foundation (PSYRES) and PSYON, the first ketamine clinic in Europe. ### Tomáš Sedláček - Position: Economist, Philosopher & Founder of Spirit Academy - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, Digitalization & Transformation - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-tomas-sedlacek/ Tomáš Sedláček is an economist, philosopher, and author of the bestseller Economics of Good and Evil, published by Oxford University Press and translated into 22 languages. He served as an advisor to Václav Havel and as a member of the Czech National Economic Council. Today, he explores the relationship between economics, Europe, the human spirit, and AI, and as the founder of Spirit Academy, he searches for what remains human. ### Tomáš Stegura - Position: Executive Director for Design and Solutions in Commercial Banking, ČSOB - Categories: Homepage 2026, Panel discussion - Verticals: Defence Tech & Cybersecurity - Appearances: Trust in a Synthetic World: What is real and what is fake? (Thu 1 Oct 09:00–09:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomasstegura/ Since March 2024, Tomáš Stegura has been Executive Director responsible for Design and Solutions for commercial-banking clients. His remit includes digital services, process management, innovation, branch-network support and ESG. Previously, he led the Digitalisation unit within ČSOB Group, responsible for the bank's digital services portfolio, including the Smart mobile application. He has worked in the ČSOB Group since 2006, when he began as an analyst and architect of the bank's digitalisation projects. For more than three years, he has chaired the Cybersecurity Working Group of the Czech Banking Association. He studied Computer Science at the Prague University of Economics and Business. In his private life, he keeps golden retrievers, plays golf, builds LEGO and throws axes. ### Tomáš Studeník - Position: Innovator, author, lecturer of ELAI - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/studenik/ Radical innovator, founder, author and urban hacker. He organizes CEE Hacks innovation marathons where students from around the world solve problems in sustainability, healthcare, transportation and more. He helps global companies awaken the spirit of innovation and find opportunities for growth in the post-digital age. He heads the consultancy Insane Business Ideas. In 2014, he introduced FuckUp Nights, an entertaining and educational format where he shares failures from business and life. He published his stories of failures in 2018 as The Big Book of Fuckups. Computer World magazine named him among the TOP IT personalities of 2020. He is the author of the theatre project THEAITRE and founded the Central European healthtech incubator Caelestinus in 2022. ### Tomislav Procházka - Position: Managing Director at TPAG s.r.o. - Categories: Homepage 2026 Tom is a Managing Director at TPAG with a strong foundation in finance and management. His career spans over several high-profile roles, including an interim CEO and Chief Investment Officer in a real-estate development group, Member of the Investment Committee at various private credit funds, and a Founder/CEO at various ventures, most prominently at EUDI, a technological startup providing advanced Out-of-Home (OOH) advertising solutions to underground transportation systems. Tom also served as Manager in Corporate Finance at Deloitte and as a Visiting Associate at Goldman Sachs. In his short career, Tom led numerous successful transactions and played a pivotal role in restructuring businesses, overseeing divestitures, and managing development projects in commercial real estate and infrastructure. A Harvard University graduate in Economics and Finance, Tom was also deeply involved in research, particularly in capital markets and M&A, further solidifying his expertise in these areas. ### Trang Do - Position: Content creator at Asijatka - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Entertainment & Creative AI, Next-Gen Media - Appearances: Between Two Worlds: The Vietnamese Community and a New Generation of Czechs (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–10:50) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dothutrang/ Content Creator & Communications Specialist Trang's career began in marketing agencies, while later gaining experience working in IT companies and startups. She has been writing her blog ASIJATKA.cz about the Vietnamese diaspora in the Czech Republic since 2008 and was nominated for Křišťálová Lupa 2016 and Magnesia Litera in the category Blog of the Year. In that same year, she received an award for journalists under 33 years of age and was listed on Forbes Czech 30under30. She's currently freelancing as communication consultant, also a part-time actress, and an author. Her first book Asijatka v Česku was published in 2025. Trang is 2019 Aspen Central Europe Leadership Award laureate. ### Václav Brabec - Position: Molecular Biologist at MY CLINIC - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Digitalization & Transformation, Health & Biotech - Appearances: My Longevity — Without the Trends (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Archimedes) In my professional work, I focus on molecular biology, biological clocks and biological data. I combine research experience with practical work in biotechnology and Life Science consulting. I aim to translate findings from chronobiology into applied practice—a practical understanding of how daily rhythms affect sleep, recovery and the functioning of the body. ### Václav Kobera - Position: Director of New Technologies and Space Activities at the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade and Head of the Czech Delegation to ESA - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory, Space & Beyond - Appearances: AI Beyond Earth: Who Will Own Space in the Next Decade? (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–14:50) Václav Kobera is Director of New Technologies and Space Activities at the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade and Head of the Czech Delegation to ESA. He previously chaired EUSPA’s Administrative Board and ESA’s Satellite Navigation Programme Board. ### Valentýna Dostálová - Position: Co-Founder of Capital² - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact Valentýna Dostálová is a Team Lead at Rockaway Funds, part of the international investment group Rockaway Capital. She leads a six-member team focused on fundraising, investor relations and fund distribution. In her role, she develops and manages relationships with qualified investors, wealth managers, investment bankers and distribution partners, guiding investors through the entire process – from initial engagement and onboarding to investment and long-term communication. She also contributes to fundraising strategy, team development and the design of scalable processes for investor acquisition, onboarding and reporting. She works closely with investment, legal and fund administration teams as well as distribution partners to support the continued growth of Rockaway’s fund platform. ### Veronika Matysková - Position: Client Service Specialist at NMS Market Research - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Social Impact, E-commerce & Retail - Appearances: The AI-Native Generation: How GenZ and Gen Alfa thinks, works and creates (Thu 1 Oct 14:30–15:20) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronika-matyskova-68b2a8336 Do you know what has kept me curious since childhood? Questions about how society works and why people behave the way they do. Luckily, sociology gave me the opportunity to explore these questions both during my studies and throughout my professional life. I currently work as a Client Service Specialist at NMS Market Research, where I focus on both qualitative and quantitative research, working on projects related to consumer behaviour, brands, and market trends in an international environment. I am particularly interested in how people’s values, decision-making, and expectations are changing, and how companies respond to these shifts. I studied at the University of Amsterdam, where I also spent several years working on diverse research projects for the city administration as well as the university. This experience taught me to approach social change analytically and to look beyond the risks to identify new opportunities; I highly value and recommend such approach! ### Veronika Šimková - Position: Ment2Grow Accelerator Manager - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: Social Impact - Appearances: Scaling B2B Startups: The Ment2Grow Accelerator #1 (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Networking Lab); Scaling B2B Startups: The Ment2Grow Accelerator #2 (Fri 2 Oct 10:00–10:45, Networking Lab) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronika-%C5%A1imkov%C3%A1-3605a382/ Veronika is the manager of the Ment2Grow accelerator. She believes in innovation and technology that create long-term impact on society, and in founders who chase customers rather than buzzwords. Alongside M2G, she has also been serving for years as Chief Operating Officer of the nonprofit organization Beat Sexism and as co-founder of the biotech spin-off BLURRED. ### Vincent Charbonnier - Position: Data & AI Architect at Hewlett Packard Enterprise - Categories: Homepage 2026, Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: AI Applications: From Idea to Production in 45 Minutes — Locally Too! #1 (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Křižík); AI Applications: From Idea to Production in 45 Minutes — Locally Too! #2 (Fri 2 Oct 11:00–11:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincentcharbonnier/ Vincent works at HPE as an AI infrastructure expert for Central Europe. He helps organizations design AI platforms, introduce MLOps processes, and securely deploy and scale AI solutions in hybrid environments. ### Vít Hruška - Position: Attorney & Law Firm Partner at Atreum K2 Legal s.r.o. - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Legal & Regulatory - Appearances: The AI Act in Practice & How to Botch AI Implementation—Not Only in Legal Work (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:45, Faraday); How to Botch AI Implementation—Not Only in Legal Work (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:45, Curie-Skłodowská) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-hruska-atreum/ I am an attorney and partner at Atreum K2 Legal. I specialize in digital and business law—especially the AI Act, GDPR, IT contracts, e-commerce, and intellectual property protection. I mainly work with mid-sized companies that need a lawyer who understands business as well as legal provisions: no unnecessary padding, but concrete solutions that affect results. I most often handle software development and IT project contracts, GDPR compliance and AI Act readiness, terms and conditions for e-shops and SaaS products, contractual disputes and debt recovery, and brand and intellectual property protection. I serve in the Czech Bar Association sections for AI and new technologies, intellectual property, and AML. I am also the Bar’s regional representative for Prague, a member of its disciplinary commission, and a registered mediator. Outside the office, I pursue combat sports, fitness, and family life. Sport and family have taught me that discipline and drive make the difference—in the ring and in the boardroom. ### Vítězslav Klement - Position: AI Strategist & Consultant at Bunnify.ai - Categories: Panel discussion, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning - Appearances: The Brand That Survives AI: How to Use Artificial Intelligence Effectively in Marketing Today (Sat 3 Oct 10:00–10:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vklement/ Vitezslav Klement is a leading expert in artificial intelligence and its applications in marketing and communication. With 16 years of experience in brand building, marketing, and communication across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates, he has a deep understanding of how businesses can leverage AI for growth. As an author of several books on marketing and communication, he also lectures at universities in Prague, where he shares his insights with the next generation of professionals. Since 2020, he has been actively exploring the field of artificial intelligence, and for the past three years, he has been teaching businesses and individuals how to harness AI effectively. Vítezslav is the founder of bunnify.ai, a platform focused on AI-driven multimedia content creation and marketing automation. His work primarily revolves around the practical use of AI in creative industries, helping brands streamline their communication strategies and optimize marketing workflows. ### Vladimír Beran - Position: AI Ambassador at Etnetera - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, FinTech, Blockchain & Crypto, Software, Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: How to Transform Companies into AI-First Organizations (Fri 2 Oct 13:00–13:45, AI Academy room) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladimir-beran/ He is responsible for changing how more than a hundred people work at his company and teaches market leaders and schools how to integrate AI into everyday work and save time through automation. He speaks about AI adoption from the perspective of someone who has experienced it from the inside. He co-organizes the Prague community around AI agents and, in the Poslední ping experiment, entrusted an entire server to autonomous AI with no backups at all. At the workshop, he will demonstrate AI-first practices, including what does not work. ### Vladimír Koblížek - Position: Head of the Department of Pulmonology at University Hospital Hradec Králové and Chairman of the Czech Pneumological & Phthiseological Society of the Czech Medical Association J. E. Purkyně - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Green Tech & Environment, Health & Biotech, Social Impact - Appearances: Innovation vs. Reality in Healthcare: Can AI Make Healthcare More Sustainable and patient centric? (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:50); Health in a Changing Environment: Can Innovation Be Good for Both Patients and the Planet? (Thu 1 Oct 14:00–14:45, Visionaries) Prof. Vladimír Koblížek, MD, PhD, is a leading Czech pulmonologist and Head of the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Charles University Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Hradec Králové, Czech Republic. He also serves as President of the Czech Pneumological and Phthisiological Society. Throughout his clinical, scientific, and academic career, Professor Koblížek has focused primarily on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with particular emphasis on its diagnosis, treatment, and personalized patient care. He has co-authored numerous clinical guidelines and scientific publications dedicated to advancing modern approaches in respiratory medicine. His current research includes the application of AI to develop innovative tools aimed at improving inhalation techniques and outcomes in respiratory disease management. Professor Koblížek is actively involved in shaping the future of pulmonology through physician education, clinical research, and the implementation of the latest scientific evidence into everyday practice, including insights from environmental medicine. ### Vladislava Vojtíšková - Position: Editor-in-Chief at VědaVýzkum.cz - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Social Impact, ICT & Municipality, Next-Gen Media - Appearances: Humanity 2030: Who Really Benefits from Progress? (Thu 1 Oct 09:05–09:55) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vladislava-vojt%C3%AD%C5%A1kov%C3%A1-254690118/ Vladislava Vojtíšková is the editor-in-chief of the VědaVýzkum.cz portal. She worked for several years as a research project manager at the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University. Before that, she was responsible for communications at the Section for Science, Research and Innovation at the Office of the Government of the Czech Republic. She also worked as a researcher at the International Clinical Research Center (ICRC) at St. Anne’s University Hospital and as an analyst at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies in Brussels. She studied veterinary medicine at the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno and journalism at the Faculty of Social Sciences of Charles University. She spent several years abroad (USA, Germany, France, Slovenia, Ireland, Belgium), and has written for various media outlets. In her articles, she enjoys covering science politics and policy, cooperation between academia and industry, and ways to simplify the administrative requirements associated with research. She also serves as a councillor for the Prague 8 municipal district and as a member of the City of Prague Committee for Strategic and Economic Development and the Support of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. ### Vojtěch Hrazdil - Position: Head of Robotics Sales at Alza.cz a.s. - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Robotics & Automation - Appearances: Embodied AI: When Robots Leave the Lab and enter Reality (Thu 1 Oct 11:30–12:20); How Robots Learn: From the First Step to Understanding Humans (Sat 3 Oct 11:00–11:30) - LinkedIn: https://cz.linkedin.com/in/vojt%C4%9Bch-hrazdil-a22251239 Vojtěch Hrazdil is Head of Robotics Sales at Alza.cz, where he focuses on bringing advanced robotics technologies closer to businesses and real-world users. Combining a background in business and technology, he works at the intersection of sales, business development, product strategy, and emerging technologies, with a strong focus on turning robotic solutions into practical and commercially viable applications. At Alza.cz, he is involved in building the robotics business, connecting manufacturers, technology partners, researchers, and end users. He is particularly interested in the rapid development of service and humanoid robotics and in how these technologies can move beyond impressive demonstrations to deliver measurable value for companies and their customers. ### Vojtěch Kadlec - Position: CEO & Co-Founder of UNICO Analytics - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Technology Insider: Which Innovations Are Just Hype—and Which Have Real Business Potential? (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vojt%C4%9Bch-kadlec/ He focuses on technological innovations and their commercialization. He has participated in technology licensing worth millions of crowns and was responsible for the creation of several technological start-ups. His specialty is an analytical perspective on business: business validation and assessment/evaluation. ### Vojtěch Nosek - Position: CEO & Co-Founder of UNICO Analytics - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation - Appearances: Technology Insider: Which Innovations Are Just Hype—and Which Have Real Business Potential? (Thu 1 Oct 11:00–11:45, Edison) - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vojtech-nosek/ He specializes in intellectual property issues, primarily from the perspective of successful business use. He has over 15 years of experience in implementing technological innovations, connecting companies with universities and ensuring the effectiveness of their cooperation. He works as an expert in setting up national and international innovation ecosystems, for example for The World Bank or TAČR. ### Winy Maas - Position: Founding partner / principal architect, MVRDV; urban planner, and landscape designer - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Digitalization & Transformation, Robotics & Automation - Appearances: WINY MAAS: No Innovation, No Future: Architecture Between the Lab and the Building Site (Thu 1 Oct 10:00–10:20) Founding Partner, Urban Planner and Landscape Architect, has led MVRDV’s interdisciplinary team since its establishment in 1993. Co-founded with Jacob van Rijs and Nathalie de Vries, the award-winning Dutch practice has achieved international acclaim for a wide variety of buildings, cities, and landscapes that are innovative, experimental, and merge theory with practice. Driven by this dedication to green, user-defined, sustainable cities and spaces, Maas’ leadership drives many of the office’s award-winning projects. Maas balances practice with academic leadership. Besides his work for MVRDV, he is Professor of Urbanism and Architecture at the Delft University of Technology. In 2008, he developed The Why Factory, a research institute that he leads within TU Delft, which explores possibilities for the development of cities of the future. In 2022, Maas was appointed visiting professor at the Faculty of Architecture of the Czech Technical University in Prague. His academic work also includes numerous visiting professorships at internationally notable institutions including the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, Columbia University in New York, the Strelka Institute in Moscow, Hong Kong University, the Rotterdam Building Academy, and the Czech Technical University. Besides the many awards MVRDV’s projects have received, in 2015 Maas was appointed to the Order of the Dutch Lion by the Dutch government. In 2011, the Government of France awarded him with the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur for his work characterised by experimentation, innovation, and sustainability. ### Wouter Dorissen - Position: Creative Director & Co-Owner of Yungo - Categories: Panel discussion - Verticals: AI & Machine Learning, Social Impact, Entertainment & Creative AI, Digitalization & Transformation - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wouter-dorissen-17692695/ Hello, I'm Wouter Dorissen, Creative Director and Co-Owner of Yungo - a disruptive marketing agency of 22 people based in Flanders, Belgium. I am deeply passionate about business, innovation, and the practical adoption of artificial intelligence in both work and life. Alongside scaling my agency, I write a weekly newsletter and give talks about AI. My mind is constantly occupied with accelerating the integration of AI within my company and daily routine. I love researching the possibilities of today and tomorrow, and philosophizing about what the future will look like, what our place as humans will be, and what we as a society should be talking about. I look forward to speaking to and learning from all of you! ### Yanina Ledovaya - Position: DevEx & AI Evangelist at JetBrains - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Software, Social Impact - Appearances: Are We Getting Smarter — or Just More Dependent? Life, Leadership & AI Agents (Thu 1 Oct 16:00–16:50) Yanina Ledovaya is a Developer Experience & AI Evangelist at JetBrains, the company behind tools used by millions of software developers worldwide. As a cognitive psychologist, she advocates for keeping human agency central in the AI era: people need to remain in control of human–AI systems for software to be safe, predictable, and maintainable. She works at the intersection of cognitive psychology, developer experience research, and AI, studying the human side of software development: developers' mental wellbeing, their day-to-day experience with AI tools and IDEs, and how productivity is experienced from the inside. Before moving into tech, she spent almost 20 years as a researcher and university lecturer in psychology. She still works on the questions she started with in academia: what helps people think clearly, what their errors and biases are, and what drives intellectual productivity and creativity. ### Zbyněk Jiráček - Position: Head of Technical Development and Projects at ROPID - Categories: Seminar - Verticals: ICT & Municipality - Appearances: How Prague Turned Public Transport Data into a Platform for Innovation (Fri 2 Oct 14:00–14:45, Edison) Zbyněk Jiráček studied computer science at Charles University's Faculty of Mathematics and Physics in Prague. His academic work already focused on improving applications for public transport passengers. He currently leads the technical department at ROPID, concentrating on the development of operational systems that work with timetables, vehicle locations and other data, including service occupancy, as well as their modernization and reducing vendor lock-in. During his tenure, the Prague Integrated Transport system has become a Czech leader in the availability and quality of open data, improving passenger-facing applications and systems. He actively supports the adoption of modern, smart solutions that make public transport easier and more pleasant to use and help with its planning and management. ### Zbyněk Vallo - Position: Senior Cyber Security Consultant at EY - Categories: Seminar, Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Defence Tech & Cybersecurity - Appearances: When an Attack Succeeds: How to Ensure Resilience in the Age of AI (Thu 1 Oct 13:00–13:45, Archimedes) - LinkedIn: https://cz.linkedin.com/in/zbyn%C4%9Bk-vallo-4639b0171/ A Senior Cyber Security Consultant at EY, Zbyněk focuses on governance, risk and compliance (GRC), the DORA and NIS2 regulations, and information security management systems in accordance with ISO 27001. Before joining EY, he worked at the National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB), where he contributed to the preparation and delivery of national and international cybersecurity exercises. He holds ISO/IEC 27001 Lead Auditor and Lead Implementer certifications and works on regulatory compliance and digital resilience projects, particularly in the financial sector. ### Zdeněk Dušek - Position: Partner - Categories: Homepage 2026 - Verticals: Defence Tech & Cybersecurity, Digitalization & Transformation Zdeněk Dušek is a Partner at EY Czech Republic, where he leads the Aerospace, Defense & Mobility sector for Central Europe. His work focuses on strategy, organizational development, and helping organizations adapt to technological, economic, and social change. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading companies and public sector institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad. He specializes in leadership, change management, innovation, and the practical application of new technologies. In recent years, his focus has been primarily on artificial intelligence, digitalization, and organizational transformation. He is also deeply involved in defense, security, and mobility, where he brings together his experience in business, technology, and strategic consulting.