Prague, 14 May 2014 – Komerční banka and Asociace malých a středních podniků a živnostníků ČR [Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic] (AMSP) have opened the second annual edition of the successful grant programme for start-up businesses, “Start Up”. The best business plan, selected by an expert jury, will win CZK 300,000 for start up. The general public can also join by voting for the best video. The author of the video that wins the largest number of votes from fans will receive CZK 50,000 for his/her business.
Until the end of August, candidates can sign up their interesting business plans and videos at www.nastartujtese.cz.
“This edition of the Start Up programme is accompanied by the motto “Your Head is Pregnant: We Will Help You to Deliver Your Business”, the purpose of which it to support new talented entrepreneurs in their effort to start up their own business. Start Up is not about financial support only but also about raising a high profile and about interesting information from the world of business. As part of support, we offer Profi accounts free of charge to all start-ups: for this, it is enough if they make at least one active transaction in the account per month,” said Charles-Pierre Serain, Executive Director for Marketing, Communication and Business Development.
Karel Havlíček, AMSP Chairman, adds: “One of the real threats to the European economy is the way graduates find work. The numbers of jobless young people are visibly growing and it is no longer a problem for Greece or Spain only; for example, Slovakia is now beginning to feel problems. Supporting talented individuals and directing them towards their own business should be a task for every mature society; otherwise, they will leave for abroad in the better case, or stay on welfare in the worse case. Motivating young people, showing them examples or peer-reviewing their business plans is the core mission of our Young Business – Your Own Way project. We are delighted that following its great success last year, its main visiting card will be the Start Up programme this year again.”
Last year, the expert jury received 58 business plans to select from. Zuzana Cabejšková’s ZAZA BOTTLES project for design bottles was rated the best.
“During my Master’s programme I went to the Netherlands, which just radiates the entrepreneurship mood, and I got enthusiastic about the idea of myself doing something good for the world. Following some success in the local incubator there I returned to the Czech Republic and discovered the Start Up programme. Its name exactly resonated with my own mindset. I mobilised friends to record the video, spent nights writing the application and, following tense expectations, received the joyful news of winning. Don’t shy away and go for it too,” Zuzana Cabejšková described her success in the programme.
Download the press release:
20140514_PR_Start_up_en.docx (47.19 KB)
