On Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the auditorium of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice hosted the Czech-Slovak Business Innovation Summit titled “Stories That Changed Business.” The event, which focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and inspiring business stories, attracted students, university staff, and guests from partner institutions. Šimon Staňo, Igor Rattaj, Petr Hojdánek, and Karol Stýblo took the stage.
Participants were welcomed at the outset by Pavel Kozák, Rector of the University of South Bohemia; Zuzana Dvořáková Líšková, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the University of South Bohemia; and Veronika Hrdá, Vice Dean for Internationalization at the Faculty of Economics and Management of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. The summit bridged the academic world with the business world and created a space for sharing experiences and developing Czech-Slovak cooperation.
The program offered four different perspectives on entrepreneurship—ranging from technological innovations and the use of artificial intelligence to tourism, gastronomy, and the production of premium chocolate. A common theme of the discussion was the courage to embark on one’s own project, the ability to overcome obstacles, and the drive to seek out new opportunities.
One of the guests was Šimon Staňo, who transformed his original business idea into the technology company DAITABLE. He presented ways to use artificial intelligence to monitor and optimize energy consumption and described his journey from the initial idea to its practical implementation. His story demonstrated how technology can help address the specific needs of companies and institutions.
Another prominent figure in the program was Igor Rattaj, who shared his entrepreneurial journey with Tatry Mountain Resorts. His presentation offered insights into major investments, navigating periods of crisis, and the transformation of traditional mountain tourism into modern experiential tourism.
Petr Hojdánek, a graduate of the University of South Bohemia’s Faculty of Economics and co-founder of Bouda Burgers, represented the local entrepreneurial scene. The brand’s story began in 2015 right on the campus of the University of South Bohemia, where two students from the Faculty of Economics launched the project as part of their “Business” course. The idea didn’t stay just on paper, and the first “Bouda” was established between the K3 and K4 dormitories. After losing their original location, the founders decided to start over at a different site. Petr Hojdánek subsequently developed the business on his own, and today it is known to customers throughout South Bohemia. His journey shows that, in addition to a good idea, perseverance and the ability to start over are also important parts of entrepreneurship.
The fourth speaker was Karol Stýblo from LYRA Chocolate, who turned his passion for high-quality cocoa into a business focused on premium chocolate. He highlighted the importance of carefully selecting ingredients, authentic flavor, and a responsible approach to production. His story combined artisanal precision with perseverance and a commitment to offering customers an exceptional culinary experience.
The event provided a forum for sharing practical business experiences and for open discussion about innovations, setbacks, and decisions that influence a company’s growth. The panel discussion was followed by a networking session, during which students, entrepreneurs, academics, and other guests could make new connections and explore opportunities for collaboration.
The event was organized by the Faculty of Economics at the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics and Management at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra (FEM SPU), with support from the South Bohemian Chamber of Commerce.
