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Other Business Support Measures

For companies/inves­tment projects that for any reason do not fulfil the criteria for the national nvestment Incentives Scheme described in the previous fact sheet, there are other forms of support available. However, none of the schemes listed below includes tax breaks.

EU STRUCTURAL FUNDS

Structural Funds in the Czech Republic offer a range of benefits targeted at business development Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation, announced for the period 2007–2013). These focus both on development of the business environment and on direct support for companies (small and mediumsized enterprises as well as large ones). The percentage of co-financed eligible costs depends on the specific programme; funds are provided after completion of the project or a part there of (with the exception of loans). Programmes are open to firms with their registered office in the Czech Republic.

Support from the Operational Programme Enterprise and Innovation focuses on the following activities:

Development (Rozvoj)
The aim of the Development Programme is to increase the competitive strength of SMEs and improve their market position. The programme is focused on supporting the increase of technical facilities in small and medium-sized enterprises. The supported activity is the purchase of new technical equipment with higher quality and performance parameters.

Eligible costs are comprised of the purchase of machinery and equipment, including management SW development costs related to introducing new machinery (20% of overall costs of machinery purchase); costs for acquiring patents, patents licenses; advertising costs (related to the project). Aid is provided in the form of a subsidy. The subsidy amounts to between CZK 1,000,000 – CZK 20,000,000. The applicant must have closed at least three consecutive accounting periods in the Czech Republic. Projects must be implemented in selected regions of the country and in selected sectors of the Czech economy.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

ICT in Companies (ICT v podnicich)
The objective of the ICT in Companies Programme is to increase the competitive strength of SMEs through better use of information and communications technologies (ICT) and systems (IS). Activities supported within this programme include, e.g., purchase and implementation of IS, e-commerce, paperless office, development of company agendas using ICT, including introduction of e-business solutions (knowledge-based and control systems), increased security of IT systems and networks, configuration and adjustment of the introduced ICT systems to optimize processes and the organizational structure, systems for customer-relations management (CRM), management of supply chains, outsourcing (leasing) of ICT services and assets. Eligible costs include long-term tangible assets (HW, networks and other machines), long-term intangible assets (SW, licenses, know-how), and selected operating costs.

Subsidies are provided in the maximum amount of up to CZK 20,000,000 per project The applicant must have closed at least two consecutive accounting periods in the Czech Republic. Projects must be implemented in selected sectors of the Czech economy.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

ICT and Business Support Services (ICT a strategické sluzby)
The objective of this programme is to promote the competitiveness and growth of the ICT sector in the Czech Republic, support the availability of new information systems, ICT solutions, software products and services. Within this programme support is provided specifically for the following activities:

  1. Creation of new IS/ICT solutions and applications;
  2. IS/ICT Design and Implementation Centres. Support is provided in the form of a subsidy that is paid out retroactively upon termination of a particular phase of the project.

Eligible costs include long-term tangible assets (hardware and networks), long-term intangible assets
(software, licenses, know-how) and wages of employees in newly created jobs.

The subsidy recipient has to fulfil the following criteria:
(1) the project shall be implemented outside the territory of the Capital City of Prague,
(2) the recipient of the subsidy shall submit information concerning its last two accounting periods for the purpose of it financial rating, which has to be higher than C+,
(3) within three years, the recipient has to create a minimum of eight IT positions and to invest at least CZK 2 million per each new job (this amount is comprised of wages and mandatory social security payments, purchase prices of hardware, networks and intangible assets, and external training costs).
Support is provided in the form of a subsidy (CZK 1,000,000 – CZK 100,000,000).

The Innovation Programme is focused on the support of entrepreneurial projects implementing innovations in the area of industry and industrial services. Its aim is to support the commercialisation of research and development results by putting into practice new technologies, products and materials. Support is provided in the form of grants of up to CZK 75 million and companies eligible to receive aid are those that have a history of at least two years in the Czech Republic. In the event that a project is accompanied by the implementation of new organisational methods in business practices and external relations or the use of new sales channels, the company can receive another grant for the implementation of these activities (for SMEs only).

The programme also supports the protection of industrial property rights (patents, utility models, industrial designs and trademarks). Subsidies (CZK 10,000 – CZK 300,000) are provided to small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, public research institutes and individuals.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

Potential (Potencial)
The aim of the Potential Programme is to strengthen and extend Research and Development infrastructure in the Czech Republic through supporting SMEs’ activities of increasing R&D capacities as well as building new ones. Furthermore the focus of the programme is to support communication channels among individual enterprises and R&D institutions in order to strengthen knowledge economy and competitive position of the Czech Republic.

Projects under this programme relate to creation or extension of R&D sectors or departments with goal of development and innovation of production technologies. Eligible costs include purchase of land, buildings and equipment (long term tangible and intangible assets) directly needed for activities of the R&D department (sector). The support is provided in the form of grant ranging from CZK 1 000 000 to CZK 75 000 000. Applicants are obliged to be registered in the Czech Republic, to have closed at least 2 two consecutive accounting periods and are not allowed to have any outstanding arrears of payment to selected institutions. Projects are to be realised on the territory of the Czech Republic with the exception of Prague and must beimplemented in selected sectors of the Czech economy. Minimal amount to be invested is defined as CZK 5 000 000 and portion of the eligible costs relating to purchase of land can not exceed 10% of the total costs.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

Cooperation (Spoluprace)
The aim of the Cooperation Programme is to support economic growth and competitiveness in the economy through development of sector-based associations. The programme supports creation and development of various types of cooperative groupings at the regional, supra-regional and international level – clusters, fields of excellence and technology platforms. Through these groupings it is possible to establish and develop cooperation between companies and research and educational institutions. More specific information is not currently available.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

Prosperity (Prosperita) – Infrastructure for industrial research, development and innovation
Support for infrastructure to strengthen links between R&D and industry (establishment of business incubators, science and technology parks, technology transfer centres, development of Business Angels networks). Final recipients can be legal entities under the Civil Code. Newly established companies may participate. Support is provided in the form of grants (CZK 1,000,000 – CZK 200,000,000).

Supported activities:

  • Business incubator – an environment suitable for new innovative companies, especially for innovative
  • small and medium-sized companies focusing on the implementation of new technologies, products and
  • services
  • Science and technology park (STP) – an institution focused on science, technology, and innovative business and which closely cooperates with universities and/or scientific and research institutes. An STP generally involves companies with a longer history.
  • Technology-transfer centre – an organisation established in cooperation with universities and/or scientific and research institutes. Such a centre facilitates the transfer of technologies from the aforementioned institutes to the private sector and provides professional consultancy, particularly in the area of protection of intellectual and industrial property.
  • Business Angels Networks (BAN) – entities associating business angels in order to provide more efficient access to information and more rational use of business angel capital. (Business angels (BA) – entities willing to invest their disposable capital in innovative start-ups with high growth potential.)

For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

The basic aim of the Training Centres Programme (Skolici strediska) is to improve conditions for human resources development by providing infrastructure necessary for the training and education of company employees. The supported activities shall acquisition, construction, renovation and modernization of training facilities including training equipment. The programme is not aimed at supporting education, training, courses or their creation. The final recipient may be a business entity (regardless of its size), business organization, municipal authority, non-business entity or private educational institution. The main condition is that the training centre will serve mainly for the employees of companies operating in specific sectors. Support is provided in the form of direct subsidies in the amount of CZK 200,000 – CZK 150,000,000 (but not more than the percentage limit set in the regional map of state aid intensity). The programme will be announced at the beginning of June 2007.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

Real Estate Programme (Nemovitosti) – development of business infrastructure
The Real Estate Programme involves support for preparation of business zones, upgrading the quality of existing business zones, zone regeneration, renovation of business facilities, construction of industrial rental buildings and project documentation. Brownfield regeneration can be supported through projects of zone regeneration or renovation of business facilities. Municipalities and all types of enterprises may receive aid within this programme, in some cases only within the cost gap. Newly established companies may also participate. The user of supported premises must operate mainly in the area of manufacturing, R&D, technology centres or business support services. Support is provided in the form of subisidies whose amount differs depending on the type of project and beneficiary. The amount of aid provided is between CZK 1,000,000 and CZK 500,000,000
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

Consultancy (Poradenstvi)
The aim of the Consultancy Programme is the development of the National Registry of Consultants and the financing of information, consulting and education services for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Czech Register of Consultants (Narodni registr poradcu)
If you are looking for a high-quality and proven consultant in the Czech Republic that can help develop your business, then the Czech Register of Consultants (CRC) is here for you. The CRC is a selective database of business consultants focused particularly on the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises. Through the CRC, you can find the most suitable source of assistance and advice for the development of your business. Consultants are registered according to several criteria including geographical location and area(s) of specialisation, e.g. commercial strategy, marketing, e-commerce, finance, human resources development, quality, export, production and innovation. (www.nrp.cz)

Competitiveness (Konkurenceschop­nost)
The Competitiveness Programme has been developed to enable SMEs to improve their competitiveness through the use of consultants from the Czech National Register of Consultants (NRP). A company can choose from among a wide range of consultancy services and obtain a financial grant amounting to 50% of the total cost expended on consultancy services.

Czech Benchmarking Index (Cesky benchmarkingovy index)
The CBI is based on a diagnostic tool that enables companies to compare their performance with other similar companies from around the world. The CBI can help companies to identify their strengths and weaknesses and start to focus on their real priorities. The main advantages of the CBI are quick implementation, objectivity and relatively low cost.

Start
The Start Programme offers the provision of preferential interest-free loans for small-enterprise start-ups. Financing is provided for entrepreneurial projects of entities entering into business for the first time or after an extended period of inactivity. Loans are provided in the amount of up to CZK 1,500,000 with a maturity period of up to seven years. You can also refer to www.cmzrb.cz

Progress (Progres)
The Progress Programme involves the provision of preferential loans for small-enterprise development
projects. Loans are provided in the amount of up to CZK 25,000,000 with a maturity period of up to 11 years at a fixed interest rate of 3% p.a.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

Guarantee (Zaruka)
The Guarantee Programme is focused on facilitating the implementation of small and medium-sized enterprises’ business projects through the use of advantageous bank guarantees. As the Start, Progress and Guarantee Programmes are administered by the state-owned Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank (Ceskomoravska zarucni a rozvojova banka), you can also refer to www.cmzrb.cz

Eco-energy (Eko-energie)
The aim of the Eco-energy Programme is to reduce the energy requirements of production and to expand the use of renewable and secondary sources of energy. Support is provided in the form of grants (CZK 500,000 – CZK 1,000,000,000) and loans (up to CZK 50,000,000). This programme is administered by the Czech Energy Agency.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

Marketing
Within the Marketing Programme, support is provided for marketing activities of SMEs in foreign markets (marketing information on foreign markets, promotional materials, internet-based promotion, participation in exhibitions and trade fairs abroad). Support is provided in the form of subsidy (CZK 100,000 – CZK 2,000,000). The intermediate body for this Programme is the National Trade Promotion Agency CzechTrade.
For more information visit http://www.czechinvest.org/en/opei

Based on materials published by CzechInvest.