Prestigious university from Cleveland explores entrepreneurship in South Moravia with BUT
The collaboration between Brno University of Technology (BUT) and Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland has gained new momentum. This comes in the form of the ongoing course Beyond Silicon Valley, which explores the roles of key players in entrepreneurial ecosystems, connects students with industry experts, and is currently examining innovation and entrepreneurship in South Moravia. The course was followed by a March study trip by representatives from CWRU, focusing on selected actors in Brno's innovation and entrepreneurial environment.
The successful inter-university collaboration began in 2022, when Vít Chlebovský from BUT’s Faculty of Business and Management (FBM BUT) undertook a research internship at CWRU. A key connection was established with Professor Michael Goldberg, which led to the successful acquisition of a Fulbright scholarship for research focused on supporting entrepreneurship at U.S. universities. Michael Goldberg is the Executive Director of the Veale Institute for Entrepreneurship at CWRU and also leads the Beyond Silicon Valley course, which introduces students to the functioning and structure of entrepreneurial ecosystems, especially outside the well-known tech hubs. The online course is available on Coursera and has been taken by thousands of students from around the world over the past 10 years.
In the 2024/25 academic year, the two-semester course is focusing on the South Moravian region, with Brno experts remotely joining classes in Cleveland to discuss with local students. Guests included investor Jiří Hlavenka, Markéta Filipenská from JIC, Michal Urban from CzechInvest, Eva Konečná from Flen Health, and the unforgettable Barbora Buhnová, co-founder of Czechitas. The course also featured an excellent discussion with FBM BUT alumni Veronika Ulrichová, Martin Očko, and Ondřej Šesták.
The course’s specific theme was complemented by visits from CWRU representatives in Brno. In autumn 2024, Tiffany Cashon, director of the innovation center Sears think[box] at CWRU, visited. The center provides a base for university-level support for entrepreneurship. The collaboration culminated in a March study trip by CWRU MBA and undergraduate students led by Michael Goldberg, Michael Hill, and Anastasiya Sembay, aimed at exploring Brno's entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The program included a discussion at Brno City Hall about the role of local government and a visit to Brno-based company Thermo Fisher Scientific, a global leader in electron microscopy. It also featured a panel discussion on entrepreneurial thinking in turbulent times, excursions to JIC, CEITEC BUT, and a look into the operations of student organizations such as strojLAB and TU Brno Racing. Participants were also introduced to the activities of successful student startups such as Plastic Guys, Wikarska Symbiotics, OMG Robotics, and Duncal Technologies. The group also traveled to Jihlava to tour the traditional Kryf glassworks and to Prague for a final meeting at the Hybernská Campus, a visit to the StartupYard accelerator, and a discussion at the American Center.
“As a global leader in areas such as safety, healthcare, and education, people in the Czech Republic largely have their needs met and enjoy a very high quality of life. Yet leaders in academia and government are pushing to develop a region-wide startup ecosystem. Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem may seem unnecessary in places where needs are met, but witnessing the Czech Republic’s drive firsthand left a lasting impression on me, reframing entrepreneurship not just as economic activity, but as a means of retaining talent, long-term resilience, and autonomy,” shared Vidyut Veedgav, a CWRU undergraduate student of computer science and mathematics.
“The collaboration between BUT and Case Western Reserve University shows that entrepreneurship isn’t just about business—it’s a mindset that prepares students and the broader academic community for a dynamically changing world,” said Vít Chlebovský, the initiator of the partnership with the American university and current Vice-Dean of FBM BUT. Chlebovský also thanked all those who have participated and continue to participate in the collaboration, whether as organizers, guests, or event participants.
Case Western Reserve University, founded in 1826, is a prestigious research university in Cleveland, boasting more than twenty Nobel laureates. It ranks among the top U.S. universities in medicine, technology, and engineering—it was here that the first MRI scanner was developed. The university closely collaborates with Cleveland Clinic and, through programs like Beyond Silicon Valley, connects students with innovation worldwide.
The cooperation between BUT and Case Western Reserve University is part of the Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ecosystem of BUT – contriBUTe.
Related: BUT deepens cooperation with Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland
| Author | Mgr. Petr Kubíček |
|---|---|
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