MSIC LabZero supports researchers and students in bringing innovations to market
The innovative MSIC LabZero initiative aims to assist researchers and students in transforming their ideas from the laboratory into market-ready solutions. Organized by the Moravian-Silesian Innovation Centre Ostrava (MSIC), this program is open to those interested in fostering innovation. The comprehensive series of events includes workshops, idea exchanges, a Bootcamp, and Demo Day. Following the successful pilot held in spring, MSIC is now working on another edition scheduled for this autumn.
“Our objective is to foster collaboration among researchers, businesses, and students. We seek to connect research teams and companies with students eager to work on impactful projects and contribute to regional innovation. Participation is free for students from all universities and colleges in the Moravian-Silesian Region,” explained Pavlína Baranová, project manager of MSIC LabZero. The cycle kicks off with workshops designed for researchers who often develop pioneering ideas but need guidance to bring them to market. With expert support, participants gain vital knowledge for commercializing their research outcomes. Another key component is Reverse Pitching—an idea exchange where companies and researchers seek out students interested in tackling specific challenges.
“Reverse Pitching is designed for bold researchers and companies from the region who want to collaborate with motivated students and are willing to showcase their challenges. The event centers on active participation—researchers and entrepreneurs present their issues, and students select the topics that resonate with them the most. They then form teams to develop comprehensive solutions from start to finish. The aim is to create practical, market-ready solutions that can withstand the pitfalls of the market,” explained Baranová.
After the Reverse Pitching session, participants attend a three-day Bootcamp held in an informal environment. During this intensive program, they engage in a variety of hands-on workshops led by experienced mentors from the business world. These mentors assist with refining the business perspective, strategy, and launch plans for their ideas.
The entire process concludes with a public presentation known as Demo Day, where teams showcase their solutions in English to an audience that includes industry experts, academics, investors, and the general public. They receive feedback and the jury’s verdict. Importantly, support from MSIC continues even after the official series ends, allowing students to further develop their projects beyond the program.
During the spring run, four student teams were established to address four different challenges posed by clients. Among the participants was Ondřej Sakreida, a doctoral student at the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology at VŠB-TUO, involved in the EBEAM project.
“I really enjoyed the Bootcamp and Reverse Pitching events. They were truly inspiring. I had the opportunity to meet many interesting and dedicated individuals who are working on various ideas in their free time, and those ideas are amazing. I want to sincerely thank MSIC for the excellent organization, and I would love to participate again,” said Sakreida.
Information about the fall series will be published on MSIC’s social networks.
