Matching Mission in the Czech Republic Successfully Connected European Photonics and Laser Ecosystems
From 24 to 26 March 2026, more than 60 participants from several European countries - including Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Türkiye and the United Kingdom - gathered in Dolní Břežany and Prague for the Matching Mission in the Czech Republic - Manufacturing and Industrial Optics.
The mission was organised under the umbrella of the Czech Optical Cluster in cooperation with PhotonQBoost, HiLASE Centre and ELI ERIC, and held under the auspices of the LASER-PRO Excellence Hub.
Over three intensive days, the event created a structured platform where research infrastructures, SMEs, industrial companies and innovation actors met to explore concrete cooperation opportunities in photonics, quantum and laser technologies.
The LASER-PRO project was introduced during the programme by Lenka Bajarová from AMIRES, highlighting the role of the Excellence Hub in strengthening cooperation between Czechia, Lithuania and Ukraine.
From Strategy to Industrial Application
The programme combined strategic vision with practical industrial insight.
Key presentations included:
- ELI - an International User Facility Driving Innovation
Florian Gliksohn, Executive Director of ELI ERIC, presented ELI as a world-class research infrastructure enabling cutting-edge science and industry collaboration. - Laser Technologies in Practice: Use Cases for SMEs
Martin Smrž from HiLASE demonstrated how advanced laser systems translate into tangible industrial applications. - HiLASE - High-Average-Power Laser Technologies for Advanced Processing, Space and Security Applications
Tomáš Mocek introduced HiLASE capabilities and their relevance for manufacturing, aerospace and security sectors. - Industry Interactions at ELI
Aleš Hála outlined practical cooperation models between research infrastructures and industry. - Quantum Technology Landscape at the Academy of Sciences and Beyond
Josef Lazar provided insight into the broader European quantum ecosystem. - Narran - Yes, We Can! 12 Years of Building a Czech Laser Success
Pavel Dvořáček shared the journey of building a successful Czech laser company.
These sessions clearly demonstrated how advanced research infrastructures and industrial players can jointly accelerate innovation uptake and competitiveness.
Facility and Company Visits - Innovation in Action
A distinctive strength of the mission was the opportunity to visit leading Czech innovation actors.
Participants toured:
The visits provided first-hand insight into large-scale laser facilities, high-average-power laser systems, digital manufacturing solutions and industrial laser development. Experiencing the infrastructure directly significantly deepened discussions on future cooperation.
39 Company Pitches - Clear Challenges, Clear Opportunities
Two structured pitch sessions - Czech optics and European optics - brought strong energy to the programme.
In total, 39 companies presented their technologies and cooperation interests in a concise 180-second format. Companies clearly outlined their:
- technological capabilities
- manufacturing challenges
- innovation needs
- partnership expectations
The dynamic structure ensured clarity and efficiency, preparing participants for targeted matchmaking discussions.
Ideation Workshop - Structuring Future Projects
An important interactive element of the mission was the ideation workshop, led by representatives of the PhotonQBoost and LASER-PRO consortia
Through moderated group discussions, participants worked on identifying:
- shared technological challenges
- innovation gaps
- cross-border collaboration opportunities
- potential project concepts for upcoming European calls
The workshop connected industrial needs with available expertise and moved discussions toward concrete project thinking.
Open Calls - From Concept to Funding
The programme also included a dedicated session on open and upcoming calls in photonics and quantum technologies, presented by members of the PhotonQBoost and LASER-PRO consortia.
Participants received practical guidance on:
- currently open funding opportunities
- expected Horizon Europe calls
- positioning project ideas
- building competitive consortia
By directly linking ideation, matchmaking and funding instruments, the mission offered a realistic pathway from discussion to proposal development.
More about the LASER-PRO Open Call HERE.
Matchmaking - Turning Dialogue into Cooperation
Structured B2B meetings formed a core part of the mission. Participants engaged in targeted matchmaking sessions designed to identify concrete cooperation opportunities in manufacturing, industrial optics, photonics and quantum technologies.
Discussions addressed real innovation needs - from technology development and market entry to commercialisation strategies and funding opportunities.
As Tomáš Mocek, Head of the HiLASE Centre, emphasised:
“Events like this Matching Mission are essential for Europe’s technological future. Innovation does not happen in isolation - it happens where research infrastructures, companies and strategic projects meet in one room and openly discuss real challenges. If we want photonics and laser technologies to become true pillars of European competitiveness, we need exactly this kind of direct, cross-border interaction.”
Petr Přikryl, representing the Czech Optical Cluster, added:
“Clusters exist to connect people, not just institutions. This mission clearly showed that when structured matchmaking is combined with strong European initiatives like PhotonQBoost and LASER-PRO, cooperation moves to another level. Companies openly discussed their current innovation needs - from technology development and market entry to commercialisation strategies and funding opportunities. Face-to-face dialogue across research, industry and innovation ecosystems is irreplaceable - it is what transforms ideas into concrete partnerships and long-term collaboration.”
Networking and Informal Exchange
Beyond the formal sessions, participants continued discussions during networking activities, including a joint dinner and an optional themed city tour in Prague inspired by the mysteries of Dan Brown. The informal setting strengthened professional relationships and encouraged open exchange among partners.
Acknowledgement
We would like to thank the Czech Optical Cluster for the excellent organisation and coordination of the mission.
Special appreciation goes to the PhotonQBoost and LASER-PRO projects, under whose umbrella the event was successfully implemented.
Our sincere thanks also extend to all speakers, institutional hosts, companies and participants whose active engagement ensured that the Matching Mission delivered concrete results for the European photonics and laser ecosystem.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge everyone who contributed to the preparation and smooth execution of the event - from organisational teams and logistics support to technical staff and communication partners. Their dedicated work behind the scenes was essential to the mission’s success.
The Matching Mission confirmed a simple but powerful message - when European ecosystems meet in person, collaboration accelerates and innovation gains real momentum.
