PRESS RELEASE

SKomerční banka launches again its grant programme for support of start-ups

Prague, 14 May 2014 – Komerční banka andAsociace malých astředních podniků aživnostníků ČR [Association of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Crafts of the Czech Republic] (AMSP)have opened the second annual edition of the successfulgrant programme for start-up businesses, “Start Up”. Until the end of August, candidates can sign uptheir interesting business plans and videos at

The best business plan, selected by an expert jury, will win CZK 300,000 for startup. The general public can also join by voting for the best video. The authorof the video that wins the largest number of votes from fans will receive CZK 50,000 for his/her business.

“This edition of the Start Up programme is accompanied by the motto “Your Head is Pregnant: We Will Help You to Deliver Your Business”, the purpose of which it to support new talented entrepreneurs in their effort to start up their own business. Start Up is not about financial support only but also about raising ahigh profile and about interesting information from the world of business. As part of support, we offer Profi accounts free of charge to all start-ups: for this, it is enough if they make at least one active transaction in the account per month,” said Charles-Pierre Serain, Executive Director for Marketing, Communication and Business Development.

Karel Havlíček, AMSP Chairman, adds: “One of the realthreats to the European economyis the way graduates find work.The numbers of jobless young people are visibly growing and it is no longer a problemfor Greece or Spain only; for example, Slovakia is now beginning to feelproblems. Supporting talented individuals and directing them towards their own business should be a task for every mature society; otherwise, they will leave for abroad in the better case, or stay on welfare in the worse case. Motivating young people, showing them examples or peer-reviewing their business plans is the core mission of our Young Business – Your Own Way project. We are delighted that following its great success last year, its main visiting card will be the Start Up programme this year again.”

Last year, the expert jury received58 business plans to select from. Zuzana Cabejšková’sZAZA BOTTLES project for design bottles was rated the best.

“During my Master’s programme I went to the Netherlands, which just radiatesthe entrepreneurship mood, and I got enthusiastic about the idea of myself doing something good for the world. Following some success in the local incubator there I returned to the Czech Republic and discovered the Start Up programme. Its name exactly resonated with my own mindset. I mobilised friends to record the video, spent nightswriting the application and, following tense expectations, received the joyful news of winning. Don’t shy away and go for it too,” Zuzana Cabejšková described her success in the programme.

Michal Teubner
KB Comunication
Tel: +420 955 532758

Komerční banka, a. s., se sídlem: Praha 1, Na Příkopě 33, čp. 969, PSČ 114 07, IČ: 45317054

Zapsaná v obchodním rejstříku vedeném městských soudem v Praze, oddíl b, vložka 13601/2