Innovation into Action: How DEX IC Delivers
Ideas alone don't win EU funding. They succeed when proposals are well-structured, solutions are validated with users, and results are designed to last beyond funding. That is the DEX Innovation Centre (DEX IC) approach: approval, impact, sustainability.
Results at a glance
SCI FI programme: 12+ international challenges, 200+ students and researchers, multiple validated pilots with leading pharmaceutical companies.
Challenger 2025: 70 selected innovators (from 100+ applications), 15+ partners from leading companies, universities, and hospitals.
V4 Startup Force: 90+ B2B startups supported, 250+ client introductions across the region.
SpinIT (Danube Flagship 2025): selected among the top three projects with cross-border impact in competitiveness.
7 years as EIT Health & InnoEnergy representatives: trusted by Europe's largest innovation networks.
From education to practice: innovation in high demand
A significant part of our work involves connecting the university environment with real challenges. Through the international SCI FI programme (EIT Health), we are collaborating with healthcare leaders such as Novartis and Roche. They brought specific problems from practice, which international teams of students and researchers worked on for three months.
„It's not enough to just bring ideas. What matters is that the solution brings value to users and has a real chance for application. That's why we use the validation toolkit and emphasise validation from the early stages,“ explains the DEX IC team. Through co-creation, prototyping, and validation with real users, DEX IC ensures proposals are grounded in evidence – the kind of approach that strengthens both academic outputs and EU project delivery.
Acceleration and scaling for startups
Beyond education, DEX IC runs accelerator programmes that prepare startups for international markets. Challenger and V4 Startup Force have delivered tangible outcomes – validated business models, real client meetings, and stronger investor-readiness. These programmes are recognised by both regional innovation agencies and European networks.
Building lasting impact through partnerships
Our long-standing role as the Czech representative of EIT Health and InnoEnergy reflects the trust placed in us by leading European networks. Combined with our work in Horizon Europe, Interreg and Erasmus+ projects, this allows us to design initiatives that go beyond pilots and create sustainable, cross-border impact.
Let's build your next success together
Whether you are preparing a Horizon Europe proposal, scaling a startup, or seeking validation for a healthcare innovation, DEX IC can help. Talk to us about how our Validation Toolkit, co-creation, and acceleration programmes can strengthen your projects.
Let's make your next Horizon Europe project a success. Connect with Petra Jalšovec (petra.jalsovec@dex-ic.com) to map opportunities with DEX Innovation Centre.