Podpora a financování začínajících startupů v České republice v kontextu Evropské unie

Abstract

The bachelor's thesis deals with the issue of support and financing of early-stage startups in the Czech Republic within the context of European Union policies and instruments. Startups are identified as a vital segment of the modern economy, characterized by a high level of innovation, dynamic growth, and the ability to respond to emerging challenges. The aim of the thesis is to analyze the current state of the startup environment in the Czech Republic, assess the available forms of financing and support, and identify key barriers that most frequently hinder startup development in practice. In the theoretical part, attention is paid to the definition of the term startup, its typology, and key characteristics, with emphasis placed on the differences between traditional business models and startup models. Furthermore, the role of startups within innovation ecosystems and their contribution to economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development is described. This section also includes an overview of EU policies and initiatives, such as Horizon Europe, InvestEU, and the Startup Europe initiative. In the practical part of the thesis, an evaluation of available funding mechanisms is conducted, including a comparison of equity and debt capital, an analysis of the role of venture capital, and an assessment of the significance of public support. Subsequently, specific national programs (e.g., CzechInvest, the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic) are evaluated, along with their uptake by startups and regional disparities in support absorption. Particular attention is paid to barriers such as administrative complexity, low awareness among entrepreneurs, and insufficient targeting of support tools to the specific needs of startups. In the concluding part of the thesis, concrete policy recommendations for improving the situation in the Czech Republic are formulated. Priority is given to the digitalization of administrative procedures, the strengthening of interdisciplinary cooperation, and the development of regional innovation centers. The research confirms that effective functioning of the startup ecosystem requires not only financial support but also a high-quality business environment, access to information, and a functional mentoring system. A combination of qualitative methods, case studies, and comparative analysis of selected European countries is applied throughout the thesis.