For business
Ján Lučan, Senior Executive Officer, Member of the Board of Directors of ČSOB
Small and medium sized businesses form the backbone of the economy. We make sure that their important voice is heard and help them to overcome their everyday difficulties. We also support the efforts of entrepreneurs who are starting out; we have no doubt that the success of innovative start-ups is a cornerstone for the Czech economy’s future prosperity.
Female entrepreneurs are another focal point of our support. We strive to be a partner to them when they are establishing their businesses, helping them to overcome potential social prejudices. We also offer a helping hand to nonprofit organisations and social enterprises on their paths to professionalisation.
Extra funding for bright ideas
- ČSOB helps start-up businesses and their innovative ideas get off the ground. We support co-working centres and development hubs where start-up entrepreneurs and small businesses benefit from good working conditions and accessibility to useful business contacts.
- The most promising can take part in our international competition for start-ups called Seedstars Prague and take advantage of the financial boost to their capital available through our InnovFin program.
Tearing down walls
- As a bank that serves businesses, ČSOB is well aware that their difficulties and day-to-day operations require a targeted approach. That is why we strive to minimise both administrative and legislative burdens that could prove an unnecessary hindrance.
- In battling bureaucracy, we also help entrepreneurs by actively supporting their business interests. We participate actively in public discussion, while ČSOB representatives who take part in various forums and specialist meetings present our standpoints on the many obstacles that small and medium sized businesses regularly grapple with.
Gender makes no difference
- ČSOB is also behind a series of workshops for female entrepreneurs that provide a platform for them to partake in panel discussions, present their achievements, share and acquire new experiences and discover new business opportunities.
- ČSOB is the general partner to the Recognising Czech Female Entrepreneurs project [Ocenění českých podnikatelek] that promotes Czech women who have successfully applied modern technologies in creating flourishing enterprises.
Helping nonprofit organisations
- Being a successful financial group, we feel obliged to give support to volunteers and nonprofit organisations. Available to them is our Blue Academy [Modrá akademie], a platform for ČSOB employees to share their advice and experience through a range of workshops and advisory activities as well as via mentoring and coaching.
- ČSOB also supports social enterprises that undertake socially beneficial business activities and contribute to resolving a range of social and environmental issues. Our grant program available to these enterprises focuses on their stabilisation and further development through expert advice as well as direct financial support.