Regional Innovation Strategy RIS OF SOUTH MORAVIA & MASARYK UNIVERSITY Prof. Martin Bareš vice-rector of Masaryk University Petr Chládek RIS manager, JIC

Regional Innovation Strategy South Moravian Region – Basic Introduction Brno – second largest city in the Czech Republic Self governing region without explicit powers over research

Regional Innovation Strategy How we began with innovation policy? 2002 – formulation of RIS South Moravia – the first in Visegrad Region creating regional consensus and building up political commitment was supported by: 1.high unemployment rate in the region (12%); 2.establishment of Regional Authorities 3.end of Flextronics plant leaving 2,500 unemployed people behind; 4.debate about the new Lisbon strategy – role of R&D&I in regional economic development.

Regional Innovation Strategy Results of RIS 2001– stable jobs thanks to foreign direct investment 600 high-tech jobs in more than 200 technology start ups Over 5 milion euro invested into start ups from venture capital in last two years Strong R&D investments in the region (over 3,4 % GDP) 53 distinguished researchers thanks to SoMoPro programme (COFUND) 290 research cooperations between universities and companies with helps of innovation vouchers 700 million euro invested into R&D infrastructure thanks to ERDF Ability to create and repeat consensus across the whole RIS (foundation of JIC, JCMM, CEITEC etc.) Most developed educational system for highly talented students in the country

Regional Innovation Strategy S3 / RIS JMK 2014–2020 – Strategic Framework

Regional Innovation Strategy Governance Structures

Regional Innovation Strategy Proposed Flagship Projects SoMoPro III. – COFUND H2020 (scheme to attract researchers relevant for priority domains) Cyber Security Competence Centre Regional proof of concept fund Regional Seed Fund (with focus on priority domains) Defining and building a new regional brand

Regional Innovation Strategy Lessons Learned/ Key Success Factors Being constantly in the field Keeping strategic focus (specialisation) but also creating conditions for related variety Robust governance structures in order to ensure flexibility of the strategy To be close to the policy research (CRA, S3 Platform, etc.) Strong, stable political commitment Best people on board, stability of intermediaries and their people Not document, not only process but a state of the mind

Source of the regional innovations Prof. Martin Bareš Vice rector of Masaryk University

Regional Innovation Strategy Place of knowledge and innovation  Masaryk University (MU), located in Brno, the second-largest public university in the Czech Republic, founded in  Comprises of 9 faculties with over 200 departments, institutes and clinics.  A total of 43,000 students are enrolled at MU, including 6,500 international students.

Regional Innovation Strategy Masaryk University involvement in Regional Innovation Strategy (RIS) for the 2002–2014  Co-founder of South Moravian Innovation Centre (JIC)  Co-founder of South Moravian Centre for International Mobility (JCMM)  Member of Steering Committee of RIS  Member of working groups of RIS

Regional Innovation Strategy Direct results of RIS 2002–2014 (supported by local government)  (co-)foundation of seven start up companies  500 jobs  raised EUR 3 mil. of venture capital investment

Regional Innovation Strategy World-class research – priority areas Biochemistry and molecular biology Cancer research (diagnosis of leukemia) Plant sciences Stem cell research and developmental biology Environmental chemistry Structural biomolecular research and protein engineering Plasma physics, Mathematics, Zoology Social sciences Computer science (cyber and network security) Possibilities of cooperation: contracted research, regular research projects, technology licensing, spin-off company establishment, expert consulting

Regional Innovation Strategy  Project CEITEC – Central European Institute of Technology  What is CEITEC? CEITEC is a scientific center in the fields of life sciences, advanced materials and technologies whose aim is to establish itself as a recognized center for basic as well as applied research. Direct results of RIS 2002–2014 (supported by local government)

Regional Innovation Strategy Project CEITEC Innovative and Attracting Excellence European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant  The first ERC grant in the history of Masaryk University  The ERC Grantee attracted by unique research infrastructure at CEITEC  The only ERC Grant awarded in the Czech Republic in the respective call European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant  The second ERC grant in the history of Masaryk University  The second ERC Consolidator grant in the Czech Republic, first in the life sciences. European Research Are (ERA) Chair  The only grant awarded in the Czech Republic  Attracting world-class scientific leader capable of inspiring positive change at Masaryk University

Regional Innovation Strategy THANK YOU for your attention!