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CEE Perspective Academy Conference 2026 - Academy

CEE Perspective Academy Conference 2026
4 November 2026

The CEE Perspective Academy Conference 2026 brings together entrepreneurs, policymakers, financial experts, academics and students to explore how CEE businesses can enter new markets and compete internationally.

Time

14:00 - 17:00

CET

Location

Prague University of Economics and Business

Prague

About

About the Event

The second edition of the CEE Perspective Academy Conference, taking place on 4 November 2026 and kindly hosted by the Prague University of Economics and Business, will explore the theme From CEE supplier to international competitor: How businesses from the region build products, enter new markets and retain more of the value they create.

Bringing together entrepreneurs, policymakers, financial experts, academics and students, the programme combines keynotes, an entrepreneur’s account of entering foreign markets and a panel on financing and managing international expansion. Discussions will examine how CEE businesses can move beyond supplying others to compete internationally with their own products and brands. Students will also take part in a practical market-entry exercise, followed by the launch of the CEE Perspective Student Challenge 2027.

Agenda

Event Agenda

10 sessions · CET

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

14:00 - 14:05Speech

Welcoming Remarks

Speakers

Daniela Craciun
Daniela CraciunSecretary GeneralCEE Perspective
14:05 - 14:15Speech

Official Opening

Speakers

Martina Jiránková
Martina Jiránková Dean of the Faculty of International Relations Prague University of Economics and Business
14:15 - 14:30Speech

Keynote Speech

Speakers

Ondřej Kovařík
Ondřej KovaříkFormer Member of the European Parliament | EU Affairs Senior AdvisorEuropean Parliament
14:30 - 14:45Speech

Keynote Speech

Unlocking Europe's Growth Potential: The Role of the European Investment Fund

Speakers

Merilin Hörats-Beasley
Merilin Hörats-BeasleyCorporate Relations ManagerEuropean Investment Fund
14:45 - 15:00Speech

Business Case Study

Made in Czechia, Marketed Worldwide: What It Takes to Win International Customers

Speakers

Daniela Ryplová
Daniela Ryplová Product Marketing ManagerApify
15:00 - 15:15Break Time

Coffee Break

15:15 - 16:15Panel

Panel: What makes international expansion work?

Moderator

Jakub Tomášek
Jakub TomášekTeaching Assistant | Member of the Board for Internal EvaluationPrague University of Economics and Business

Speakers

 Radek Táborský
Radek TáborskýSenior Investment Banking Manager & ESG ManagerVÚB Banka
Alzbeta Pazderková
Alzbeta PazderkováHead of Capital Markets and Financial Innovation UnitMinistry of Finance of the Czech Republic
Kateřina Rundová
Kateřina RundováDirector of Technology Development and Startup IncubationCzechInvest
Olesea Lachi
Olesea LachiVice President South & East EuropeŠkoda Transportation
16:15 - 16:45Panel

Student Group Work

16:45 - 16:55Speech

Launching Student Challenge 2027

Speakers

Nihan Çevirgen
Nihan ÇevirgenDirector of Communications and Public AffairsCEE Perspective
16:55 - 17:00Speech

Closing Remarks

Speakers

Assoc. Prof. Cristina Procházková Ilinitchi
Assoc. Prof. Cristina Procházková IlinitchiHead of the Department of International Economic Relations Prague University of Economics and Business

Speakers

Our Speakers

Meet our 12 expert speakers

Daniela Craciun

Daniela Craciun

Secretary General

CEE Perspective

Martina Jiránková

Martina Jiránková

Dean of the Faculty of International Relations

Prague University of Economics and Business

Assoc. Prof. Cristina Procházková Ilinitchi

Assoc. Prof. Cristina Procházková Ilinitchi

Head of the Department of International Economic Relations

Prague University of Economics and Business

Ondřej Kovařík

Ondřej Kovařík

Former Member of the European Parliament | EU Affairs Senior Advisor

European Parliament

Merilin Hörats-Beasley

Merilin Hörats-Beasley

Corporate Relations Manager

European Investment Fund

Alzbeta Pazderková

Alzbeta Pazderková

Head of Capital Markets and Financial Innovation Unit

Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic

Olesea Lachi

Olesea Lachi

Vice President South & East Europe

Škoda Transportation

 Radek Táborský

Radek Táborský

Senior Investment Banking Manager & ESG Manager

VÚB Banka

Venue

Venue Information

Prague University of Economics and Business

Address

nám. Winstona Churchilla , 1938/4

12000, Prague, Czechia