What is the Czech Optical Cluster and why was it founded?
The Czech Optical Cluster is a platform that brings together companies, research organizations, and educational institutions working in optics, photonics, and related technologies. It was established in 2017 to address a very practical need: people across the field realized that they were facing similar challenges — yet each was addressing them in isolation. The cluster aims to create a space where research meets industry, where expertise can be shared, and where collaborative projects can thrive, including those that individual organizations would often lack the capacity to pursue on their own.
Today, the Czech Optical Cluster has 44 members and covers an exceptionally wide range of areas. What does this say about the cluster?
It primarily reflects the breadth and strength of Czech optics as a whole. In our country, optics is not a narrow, isolated discipline — it is a highly diverse ecosystem where companies and institutions from various segments come together, from lighting technology, consumer and industrial optics, and microscopy to cutting‑edge laser and quantum technologies. Applications and technologies for the defense industry are also becoming increasingly prominent.
The cluster’s 44 members collectively employ more than 32,000 people, a number that is impossible to overlook even at the national level. At the same time, this diversity is a significant advantage: different segments of the field can inspire one another, explore new applications, and respond to technological and market changes far more flexibly than they could in isolation.
What does the cluster offer its members today?
I would say it offers, above all, meaningful connections and context. We bring together the key players in the optics sector. Thanks to the cluster, members gain access to contacts that would otherwise be difficult to reach, whether they are researchers, other companies, or international partners. At the same time, the cluster helps members navigate what is happening in the field: emerging trends, challenges, funding opportunities, and labor market needs.
We create an environment where members from both academia and industry can meet, network, and share their expertise, which in turn facilitates the formation of new business and research partnerships.
The cluster does not provide a “turnkey service”; instead, it offers a space for collaboration. Those who benefit the most are the ones who actively participate, share their experiences, and are willing to bring new topics to the table. Very often, it is precisely these informal interactions that spark ideas which later develop into concrete projects.
How has the cluster changed in recent years?
In the beginning, the main goal was simply to help people in the field get to know one another. Today, cooperation is far more concrete. We have completed joint projects, organized outreach activities for students, facilitated internships, deepened collaboration with foreign clusters, and actively contributed to strategic discussions about the future of the field.
Over time, the cluster has grown into a respected platform with a voice not only in Czechia, but increasingly on the international stage. That is why I was particularly pleased to be elected to the Stakeholder Council of the European Technology Platform Photonics21. This platform plays a crucial role in shaping the European Union’s research and innovation priorities in photonics, whether within the Horizon Europe program or in the preparation of the future FP10 framework program (the 10th Framework Program of the European Union for Research and Innovation). Being part of these discussions means having the opportunity to influence the topics Europe will support, while ensuring that the needs of our research institutions, companies, and the entire Czech ecosystem are properly reflected.
You collaborate extensively with universities and research centers. Why is this so important?
The connection between research, academia, and industry is absolutely essential for optics. Companies bring specific needs and practical challenges, while research institutions contribute deep expertise and innovative ideas. Several leading institutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences are among our members. When these worlds come together, they generate high‑value solutions that also help prepare students more effectively for real‑world practice.
What do you consider to be the biggest challenge facing the optics industry in Czechia?
In the long term, the greatest challenge is the shortage of qualified professionals. Optics is a demanding but extremely promising field, and we need to do a better job of making it attractive to the younger generation. It is not enough to say that it matters — we must show concrete examples, career paths, and the meaningful impact behind the work. A key solution lies in aligning technical education more closely with the real needs of industry.
One example worth mentioning is the EduBox know‑how of the Moravian‑Silesian Technology Academy, which inspired the EduTech OK project connecting schools, companies, and public institutions in the Olomouc Region. Thanks to the cooperation of the Olomouc Region, the Czech Optical Cluster, Autoklastr, the National Pedagogical Institute, the “Fortress of Knowledge” science centre at Palacký University, the regional representation of the Confederation of Industry and Transport, and the Innovation Center of the Olomouc Region, the project supports the development of a modern, long‑term sustainable system of technical education.
The popularization of technical fields is a major topic and must be approached comprehensively. Another strong example is the long‑term support for electron microscopy in the South Moravian Region, involving several companies in the field, universities, and public administration. Together, they are building an effective platform to increase the appeal of STEM disciplines and organizing various engaging events for both specialists and the general public — such as the Days of Electron Microscopy in Brno.
And where do you see the greatest opportunity?
In what we already have. The Czech Republic has a strong tradition in optics, high‑quality research, and innovative companies. In several segments, we are already among the world leaders, and the goal is to further strengthen and maintain this position — while also creating the right conditions for other companies to gradually reach a similar level. In this regard, the cluster can serve as an important “connecting link.”
Another significant opportunity for the optics industry in today’s rapidly evolving global landscape is the growing interest in deeper European cooperation. Strengthening cooperation among European research institutions, industrial partners, and clusters creates room for sharing know‑how, driving joint innovation, engaging in international projects, and reinforcing Europe’s technological autonomy in optics and photonics.
What role does international cooperation play in all this?
As I hinted in my previous answer, international cooperation plays a crucial role. Developments in optics are global and extremely fast‑paced. Through international cooperation, our members gain access to new technologies, projects, and markets. The cluster often serves as the first point of contact — helping to initiate cooperation and lower the barriers to joining foreign initiatives.
We are part of the consortium of two Horizon Europe projects — PhotonQBoost and LASER‑PRO — focused on photonics, lasers, and quantum technologies. Within these projects, small and medium‑sized enterprises can receive funding or reimbursement of travel expenses for matchmaking missions, gaining valuable new contacts along the way.
Working on these projects also enables us to strengthen relationships with our partners from Finland, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, France, Austria, Germany, Spain, and Ukraine. In addition, we have signed cooperation memoranda with several industry clusters in these countries, which further reinforces and expands these activities.
Can you summarize where the cluster wants to be in 2026?
The year 2026 will be another busy one for the Czech Optical Cluster — from international missions and workshops to our ambition to obtain the Silver Label of Cluster Excellence.
We see 2026 as a year in which we want to increase our visibility — both within the cluster and externally. Internally, we want to focus more on helping members get to know one another better. We want them to understand each other’s strengths and be able to collaborate more naturally, not only within the framework of formal projects. That is why we are planning workshops, joint events, and better tools for sharing information, for example through the website or our new newsletter. We will also introduce a new concept called “optical coffee chat,” a series of online seminars covering various interesting topics.
At the same time, we aim to significantly strengthen our international position. Several foreign missions lie ahead, including participation in the OPIE exhibition in Japan. Through the aforementioned European projects such as PhotonQboost and LASER‑PRO, and with support from the OP TAK Czech Optics for the Future project, we want to demonstrate that the Czech Optical Cluster is the partner of choice for foreign companies and research institutions. Our ambition to obtain the Silver Label of Cluster Excellence captures this effort well — it is not just a “badge,” but confirmation that the cluster operates professionally, strategically, and with a long‑term vision.
To improve transparency and efficiency, we are implementing Aliteo, a modern software tool for managing projects, teams, and processes. This will help us further professionalize our work and, more importantly, enhance the services we provide to our members. And this year, we are preparing another interesting innovation, which I am not ready to reveal yet. We’ll keep it as a small surprise — but our members definitely have something to look forward to.
And finally, a personal question: what do you personally enjoy doing most in your free time? What are your hobbies?
My biggest hobby and lifelong passion is water polo. I am still an active player on the first division men’s team in Přerov, I coach young people, and I help run the club as its managing director. I am also involved in the youth section of the Czech Water Polo Association. And the best way for me to recharge is through hiking and cycling.
