PhotonQBoost Matching Mission Brought Europe’s Photonics Leaders to the Czech Republic. The Czech Optical Cluster Connects Research with Industry.
For three days, the Czech Republic became the center of European photonics. From 24 to 26 March 2026, the Czech Optical Cluster organized the international PhotonQBoost Matching Mission, held in cooperation with the LASER‑PRO project and supported by the leading research centers ELI ERIC and HiLASE. More than sixty experts from across Europe gathered in Prague and Dolní Břežany to explore new opportunities for collaboration in photonics, laser technologies, optical manufacturing, and quantum solutions.
The Czech Republic was chosen deliberately — it offers a complete optical manufacturing value chain and is home to the globally renowned laser centers ELI Beamlines and the HiLASE Centre. The combination of industrial tradition, world‑class research, and a strong innovation environment makes the country an ideal location for building robust European partnerships.
The mission’s program blended inspiring presentations with concrete demonstrations of industrial applications. Florian Gliksohn (ELI ERIC) presented ELI as a global research infrastructure open to industry, while Martin Smrž and Tomáš Mocek from HiLASE showcased practical uses of high‑power lasers. Josef Lazar of the Czech Academy of Sciences provided insights into the European landscape of quantum technologies, and Pavel Dvořáček from Narran shared the success story of a Czech laser company proving that even local innovations can have a global impact.
Participants visited ELI ERIC, HiLASE, Brain4Industry, and Narran — places where Czech technologies are developed directly “in the field.”
Two pitching sessions also took place, featuring a total of 39 presenting companies that used their short time slots to outline their technologies, needs, and interest in potential partnerships.
The PhotonQBoost and LASER‑PRO teams then led an ideation workshop, which helped identify themes suitable for future European funding calls.
PhotonQBoost: Connecting Photonics, Quantum Technologies, and Industry within Horizon Europe
The Matching Mission was held as part of PhotonQBoost, a project funded under the Horizon Europe programme. Its goal is to accelerate collaboration between photonics, quantum technologies, and European industry through joint events, mentoring, technological matchmaking, and dedicated support for SMEs.
The Czech Optical Cluster is an active member of the PhotonQBoost consortium, and by organizing this mission, it highlighted the significance of the Czech photonics ecosystem within the European context. The Czech environment — combining a complete optical manufacturing value chain, world‑class laser centres, and a strong network of innovative companies — provided participants with an ideal setting for identifying partners and shaping new project ideas.
“Our mission is to connect people, not just institutions. PhotonQBoost and LASER‑PRO have demonstrated that when the right partners come together in one place, genuine collaboration emerges — and that is exactly what drives European photonics forward,” says Petr Přikryl, Manager of the Czech Optical Cluster.
The mission’s atmosphere was further enriched by the informal program: a joint networking dinner gave participants the opportunity to strengthen their relationships and continue discussions beyond the official agenda. A themed evening tour of Prague also received great feedback, naturally encouraging informal exchanges of experience and the building of personal connections.
LASER‑PRO: a European Excellence Hub with Czech Participation
The Matching Mission also strengthened the activities of the LASER‑PRO Excellence Hub, which connects experts from the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Ukraine and works to support long‑term excellence in laser technologies. The Czech Optical Cluster is also a member of the LASER‑PRO consortium, enabling it to actively contribute to the development of European collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the strategic direction of innovation in the laser field.
The synergy between PhotonQBoost and LASER‑PRO provided participants not only with technological inspiration, but also with access to partners, funding opportunities, and research infrastructure essential for preparing future European projects. The mission thus laid a strong foundation for long‑term international cooperation and new joint initiatives within the European photonics ecosystem.
Presentations from speakers who agreed to have them published are available here: Prezentace ke sdílení
Photos: Marie Thunová (HiLASE)
