Czech firms seek opportunities in Texas during Deputy PM Havlíček’s US trade mission
Deputy Prime Minister and Industry Minister Karel Havlíček is continuing his week-long visit to the United States, accompanied by dozens of Czech companies and innovation centres. A key stop is Texas, where the delegation is promoting Czech technologies and business cooperation. The trip includes meetings with state officials, investors and participation in the South by Southwest innovation festival in Austin.
Texas as a gateway to the US market
Czech Radio correspondent Pavel Novák, who is following the delegation on the ground, says the choice of Texas reflects both the state’s economic weight and its growing role as a centre of innovation.
“Texas is a very important state among American states because it’s the second most populous state in the US,” Novák explains. “And also if it were an independent state, it would be the eighth strongest economy in the world. So it’s a very big and important market.”
According to him, Texas has become one of the most dynamic economic regions in the United States, attracting technology companies and investors from across the country.
“Texas is simply a base for new technologies, innovations,” Novák says. “Of course there is Silicon Valley and so on, but Texas is today a very important state for new development, new technologies, innovations in AI and IT. So that’s why the Czech Republic signed the declaration of cooperation with Texas right now.”
The state is also home to a sizeable community of people with Czech roots, which can help Czech businesses establish contacts and better understand the American market.
“There is a big base of descendants of Czech immigrants,” Novák notes. “So it also plays some role. They can show our companies the way how to contact some companies here and they can help them.” During the visit, Havlíček and members of the delegation are expected to meet representatives of this community. “They can help our startups, our beginning companies to find their way to partners here and show them what is needed, what is demanded here,” Novák says.
Dozens of Czech companies presenting innovations
The Czech delegation accompanying the deputy prime minister is unusually large. According to Novák, it includes dozens of companies and innovation centres from several Czech regions.
“I know about fifty-four companies,” he says. “They are startups or already companies who are based in some of the states in the US. They already try to expand to America.”
Representatives of regional innovation centres are also part of the mission.
“Our vice prime minister is accompanied by representatives of three or four regions, they are innovation centres,” Novák explains.
The companies represent a wide range of industries, particularly in technology and digital innovation.
“It’s from IT to AI software applications,” Novák says, adding that he has spoken to several of the entrepreneurs involved.
One example he mentions is a Czech firm developing medical technology designed to improve cancer detection.
“For example Maya Labs provides an application for medicine, devices for endoscopy,” Novák says. “They help doctors, surgeons to detect some places which could be very risky in the body and they can help them to prevent such type of cancer.”
The technology is already being used in several medical facilities across the United States.
Other companies are presenting innovations in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. “I saw a company which offers a special solar and wind turbine which is possible to install on the roof of any house,” he says. “So it can provide an independent source of electricity for such object.”
Manufacturing technologies are also part of the presentation. Several firms specialising in 3D printing already operate in the United States and are hoping to expand further.
“There were companies producing 3D printers and they are already here in the state of Delaware,” Pavel Novák says. “They are producing them and offering them to the American market.”
Innovation, culture and Czech heritage in Texas
Austin, the capital of Texas, is one of the main locations for the delegation’s programme. The visit coincides with the South by Southwest festival, one of the world’s best-known gatherings focused on technology, innovation and creative industries.
“They are here during the conference and festival South by Southwest,” Novák says. “It’s a huge opportunity to present not only our companies but also our culture and our cuisine.”
Part of that presentation takes place in a venue known as Czech House, where companies can meet potential partners while also showcasing Czech culture.
“There is Czech House in one of the cocktail bars in a very lively quarter of Austin,” Novák explains. “So it’s important that we can present here not only our knowledge but also our culture.”
Texas also has a long-standing Czech cultural heritage dating back to waves of immigration in the nineteenth century. Even today, traces of that heritage remain visible.
“They are still baking so-called kolache,” Novák says. “It’s a bit different than Moravian kolaches, but it’s possible to find there some track of Czech heritage.”
Over time, however, the traditional pastry has evolved into something uniquely Texan.
“Sometimes they are stuffed with strawberry jam or apricot jam,” Novák says. “Sometimes they are even salty with some sausage and with onion. It’s really such a mixture of Czech and Texan cuisine.”
For the Czech delegation, however, the main focus remains business. By bringing dozens of innovative companies to one of America’s fastest-growing states, the mission aims to help Czech firms expand their presence in the United States and connect with partners in a market that is both large and technologically dynamic.
