Czech Night @ SXSW 2026
🇨🇿 Czech House @ SXSW 2026 🤠
Innovation. Creativity. Culture. The Czech Republic in the heart of Austin.
Experience a vibrant evening celebrating Czech innovation, entrepreneurship, and culture as Czech House returns to SXSW in 2026! Join us for a program blending the best startups, top-tier networking, and an inspiring music lineup showcasing both Czech and international talent.
The Line Up
17:00 - 17:30🎉 Official Opening of 2026 CzechHouse
Kick off the evening with the official opening of Czech House @ SXSW 2026, featuring welcome remarks from:
Miloslav Stašek, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States
Karel Havlíček, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic
Lloyd Doggett, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
Their perspectives on Czech–U.S. collaboration will set the tone for a night dedicated to innovation, partnerships, and cultural exchange.
17:30 - 19:00 🚀 Czech Innovators Pitch
Eight ambitious Czech companies will take the stage to present their cutting-edge solutions, global ambitions, and breakthrough ideas in front of a panel of Investors.
The pitching startups will be:
1. MAIA Labs
MAIA Labs is an European award-winning MedTech Startup of the Year using AI to improve the quality of colonoscopy. Its solution supports real-time detection, documentation, and reporting, helping clinicians reduce missed findings and improve colorectal cancer prevention.
2. Mewery
Mewery develops a scalable platform for producing real meat and fish without killing animals, powered by proprietary AI‑driven cell co‑cultivation. Their low‑CAPEX model delivers high yields in cellular agriculture and enables a new category of nutritionally enhanced superfoods. Backed by leading investors, the company is positioned for global expansion across the US, Europe and Asia.
3. Ranketta
Ranketta is a tool that helps brands become visible in AI models (ChatGPT, AI overviews, …). It measures how often LLMs mention your brand and products, explains why, and actively improves your chances of being chosen when customers ask AI what to buy.
4. Buylo
Buylo is a technology startup that uses RFID and data to automate retail and logistics. It enables cashier-less shopping, real-time inventory visibility, and seamless integration of warehouse, store, and payments into one efficient system
5. MAKERACER
Web‑based SaaS platform for designing 3D‑printable RC cars. Users can customize functional vehicles from interchangeable parts—body, chassis, upgrades, and accessories. The platform then generates printable files so makers can build and race their creations in real life.
6. Windees
Windees is redefining urban energy with silent, modular micro wind turbines. It unlocks overlooked airflow on building edges to power cities 24/7, where solar fails. Patented, tested, and built to scale globally.
7. Cloudbooster
CloudBooster helps companies build & scale the cloud infrastructure behind their digital products with operations powered by AI. Its approach continuously improves reliability, security, and cost efficiency, reducing risk and freeing teams to focus on product growth.
8. IQstat
IQstat is a cloud platform optimizing electricity consumption in homes and facilities through demand‑side flexibility. It connects to major appliances and schedules their operation when electricity is cheapest, or the grid needs balancing. The system delivers up to 30% savings without compromising comfort and is already recognized as a leading energy‑tech startup.
Judges:
MC: Vladimira Cincurova, European Startup Embassy
19:00 - 20:00 🤝 Networking Reception
Connect with founders, investors, creatives, and transatlantic partners during our networking block. Expect lively conversations, new connections, and Czech-inspired food and drinks that set the perfect backdrop for collaboration.
20:00 - 23:00 🎵 Pop Night
As the evening unfolds, immerse yourself in a musical journey featuring artists pushing the boundaries of Czech and international sound:
A distinctive Czech singer-songwriter blending alternative pop with folk and jazz. Poetic, expressive, and emotionally rich—her performances are intimate and unforgettable.
Aiko
A global pop voice with dark-pop aesthetics and powerful emotional delivery. Known for representing Czechia at Eurovision, Aiko continues to captivate international audiences.
A Greek-born indie-pop artist weaving cinematic textures, ethereal melodies, and folk inspirations. Expect haunting vocals, atmospheric soundscapes, and a deeply immersive performance.
⭐ Special Performance: Jan Havránek
Czech singer-songwriter blending pop with introspective depth and a cross-cultural perspective shaped between Prague and Washington, DC. Currently serving as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Czech Republic, he will present songs from his upcoming EP “Generation Hope."
➕ Details & Notes
No dress code, but a cowboy hat is always a plus.
Czech-inspired refreshments and beer served throughout the evening. 🍻
Full event lineup and company details available soon
Please note that approval of your registration does not guarantee access to the event. Admission is subject to venue capacity.
Presented by
Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, Ministry of Regional Development, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington, DC, CzechInvest, CzechTrade, CzechTourism, South Moravian Region, Central Bohemian Region, Zlín Region, Central Bohemian Innovation Center, South Moravian Innovation Center, Zlín Regional Innovation Agency, Innovation Center of the Ústí Region, Průša Research, PBS, Livesport, Draslovka, American Friends of the Czech Republic