Czech Transportation Minister Brings Large Delegation Focused on Exchange of Cutting-Edge Solutions 

The Czech Republic’s transportation minister visited Georgia Monday with a large delegation focused on how the Central European nation can be a source of solutions for the future of mobility. 

Martin Kupka brought about 40 people, a mix of company executives and startup founders along with top research institutes in the Czech Republic, to explore Georgia as an entry point for partnerships and investments in the U.S. 

He became the latest in a procession of Czech officials and companies hosted by Monika Vintrlikova, the honorary consul for the Czech Republic in Georgia, who last week presided over the opening of a Czech incubator with 14 visiting companies.

Mr. Kupka was struck during meetings with companies, including two new Czech auto suppliers that landed in Hall County Monday, and with Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry, how Georgia’s challenges mirror those of the Czech Republic.

“We definitely have really similar problems, for example, with traffic jams, with the efficiency of transport flows,” he said, noting that the Czech thinkers and entrepreneurs in his entourage bring solutions not only in the growing trend toward electrification, but also in autonomous vehicle systems, driver-assistance systems and AI.

“For me, it’s really surprising, that issues are really similar, and I can say that the contributions of the Czech specialists could be really visible,” Mr. Kupka said. 

He said technical institutes he brought also were looking at research collaborations, particularly in data management for improving traffic flows and road maintenance. 

Mariana Tesarova, head of the internationalization department at the Brno University of Technology, was impressed with the sylvan setting of Curiosity Lab, a “peaceful,” wooded area that she joked would be suitable for practicing yoga anywhere on the grounds. 

More broadly, she told Global Atlanta, the university is looking to drive research exchanges with partners like Georgia Tech, where Jiri Hlinka, dean of the Brno university’s school of mechanical engineering, signed a memorandum of understanding Monday.

With drones whirring overhead at Curiosity Lab in Peachtree Corners — and just before taking a spin in the innovation center’s driverless May Mobility shuttle — Mr. Kupka told Global Atlanta that he would define success from the visit as “contacts and concrete deals and cooperation between Czech companies and the American companies,” as well as research links. 

“For the future, high added value will be crucial for the Czech economy, and definitely also for the economy here in the United States,” he said. 

Radim Tolasz, CEO of Conware, an IT firm in Ostrava, told Global Atlanta that he joined the delegation to learn more about the tech ecosystem in the U.S. and show that Czech companies can serve the complex needs of customers in this market. 

In addition to cutting the ribbon on Sopo and Silent, two companies bringing motors and rotors and other parts for EVs to Georgia, Mr. Kupka’s packed Monday itinerary included meetings with the Georgia DOT and MARTA in Roswell, a visit to the Coda Building, and a stop at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where Mr. Kupka signed a renewal of a sister-airport agreement with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and met with Delta Air Lines Inc. discuss new nonstop flights to Prague. 

“Smart mobility, digitalization, AI, technology services, innovative solutions in automotive or clean mobility or remote control systems, and protection against cyber attacks are the topics of the joint working trip with a delegation of entrepreneurs and representatives of the academic sphere,” Mr. Kupka said during a meeting with city officials in Roswell, which just landed its first Czech investor in February. “I believe that our efforts and support create a solid springboard or platform for all companies and research teams that want to establish themselves in the United States.”

Immediately after the visit to Curiosity Lab, where Peachtree Corners Chief Technology Officer and Assistant City Manager Brandon Branham and others gave presentations on transportation initiatives in the city and Gwinnett County, Mr. Kupka was set to visit the nearby Atlanta Tech Park, the site of the new Czech incubator, where three companies — Eprin, Edmund and CzechMath — this week committed to setting up operations.