Get Ready!
For your startup/spin-off
16
selected participants
9
workshops
50+
investors to pitch to
5
alumni founded a company after the last run
YOU are a researcher with a business idea. WE help you become a founder.
Ready!
Oct 2026 – Jan 2027
Apply by September 8
Have questions? Join one of our live Q&A sessions.
- Thursday, August 13, 12:30–13:00 CEST Join on Microsoft Teams Download calendar invite (.ics)
- Wednesday, September 2, 12:00–12:30 CEST Join on Microsoft Teams Download calendar invite (.ics)
Why Ready?
- Learning by doing
- A community of founders, mentors, investors and technology transfer experts
- Business buddies for non-technical challenges
- A dedicated business mentor for you or your team
I went from 'maybe this could work in the near future' to 'yes, I am the right person to create this startup. I want to do it now.'
Ready! isn't about business lectures. You'll move your project from an idea to a spinoff or startup.
You'll be paired with a dedicated business mentor who will push your team's problem solving and delivery.
You'll also work with business buddies from VŠE and MÚVS, who will help you with the business, finance and people side of your spinoff or startup. Some of them may even become your future cofounders.
Get updates, stories and news from the Ready! community.
Follow Ready! on LinkedIn.The Ready! journey: Idea, Customer, Validation, Product, Market, Team, Pitch, Investor, Company.
What you'll get
- Develop a founder's mindset
- Validate your business model
- Build a strong network
- Meet investors
- Support beyond the program
This was the first program that gave me a completely new perspective: instead of focusing on whether a technology is sexy or cutting-edge, it encouraged us to think about whether anyone would actually buy it and whether it solves a real market need. I believe this is a mindset that should be introduced to all master's students much earlier in their studies.
Who should apply?
- PhD students
- Researchers
- Master's and Bachelor's students
…with a business idea at any stage.
Applications close
September 8, 2026
Program at a glance
Participants
16
Dates
October 2026 – January 2027
Schedule
Every other Thursday, 9:00–12:30
Format
8 in-person workshops in Prague
Language
English
Between workshops
Most of the work happens between workshops, on your own project.
Buddies
Business student buddies join your team. 3 out of 5 invited business students in the first Ready! run became cofounders.
Mentoring
Individual mentoring by experienced business professionals
Pitch Night
Thursday, January 21, 50+ VC and angel investors
Funding
Fully funded by the Czech Semiconductor Centre and the Ministry of Education
Mentors
Mentors will be announced in August.
One-to-one conversations with mentors were definitely one of the most important and enriching things in this program.
Workshops
01
Commercialization context
What does my path to commercialization look like?
Oct 1, 2026
02
Market validation
Who is my customer, and what problem am I solving?
Oct 8, 2026
03
Product development
How does my product solve my customer's problem?
Oct 22, 2026
04
Go to market strategy & pricing
How do I get my product to customers?
Nov 5, 2026
05
Production model
How do I scale production?
Nov 19, 2026
06
Team & shareholder agreement
Who should be on my team, and on what terms?
Dec 3, 2026
07
Business plan & financials
What are my business ambitions, and how will I finance them over time?
Dec 17, 2026
08
Pitch rehersal
Test pitch → feedback → test pitch → feedback → test pitch…
Jan 7, 2027
09
Pitch contest
Final pitch rehearsal before Pitch Night
Jan 14, 2027
10
Pitch Night
Jan 21, 2027: Pitch to 50+ VC and angel investors.
Apply
Ready! is designed for people who are serious about building a spin-off or startup. The program requires a significant time commitment of approximately 25–30% of your time. If you're selected for Ready!, you are expected to attend all workshops and actively develop your project throughout the program.
Have questions? Get in touch with Barbora at barbora.leblancova@cvut.cz or +420 602 689 517.
Applications close
September 8, 2026
FAQ
What do I need to do to apply?
Fill in the application form. It consists of eight questions, including a two-minute informal video.
We encourage you to start your application and submit it even if it isn't complete yet. Once you submit it for the first time, you'll receive a confirmation email and a personal link that lets you return to your application, edit it and continue working on it until the application deadline.
What do you look for in an application?
We look for two things:
- A clear, simple explanation of your idea. Feel free to use examples.
- Your drive and motivation to develop the project.
When I apply, does it mean I'm accepted to Ready!?
No. Ready! is designed for 16 selected participants, each of whom may represent a team or research group.
After applications close on September 8, an expert panel will review all applications. We'll let you know the outcome by the end of September.
Can I participate online?
No. Networking, peer learning and informal conversations are an essential part of the Ready! experience.
If you need to miss a workshop because of a conference, illness or another exceptional circumstance, we'll handle it on a case-by-case basis.
How developed does my project need to be?
Can I apply to Ready! with my cofounder(s) or team?
Can I apply if I'm still a bachelor's student?
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Email us at barbora.leblancova@cvut.cz. We'll be happy to answer your question and add it to this FAQ.
Want to learn more about entrepreneurship at CTU?
Explore CTU Technology Transfer and Venture Builder
