The Business Innovation Centre project follows on from a project of the same name, which was implemented by the statutory city of Zlín in 2005 and 2006. The project encompassed the complete renovation of Building 23 in the Industrial complex. The total expenditure for the renovation amounted to approximately CZK 67 million. A subsidy from the Phare Programme totalled CZK 46 million and the statutory city of Zlín invested CZK 21 million.

Already during the renovation works the operator of the future Business Innovation Centre was chosen, namely Technology Innovation Centre Ltd. At the time (in 2005) the TIC had already implemented within the framework of the Prosperity programme, in the leased university building, the Project of the Business Incubator, the Science and Technology Park and the Centre for Technology Transfer in the Zlín Region. This project formed one of the pillars of the future Business Innovation Centre in Zlín. The problem was however, that the size of the authorised subsidy of the Operational Programme Industry and Enterprise, of the Prosperity programme was equivalent to the execution of a project to the extent of binding indicators, i.e. an area of approximately 780m2. The result of the renovation of the building from the 1930's was a building with a total area of approximately 5500 m2.

After evaluating several alternatives the most appropriate solution was found to be to move the location of the Project implementation of the Business Incubator, the Science and Technology Park and the Centre for Technology Transfer in the Zlín Region to Building No. 23 and to prepare a new project for the remaining areas, which would expand the capacity of transferred project. So at the beginning of 2006 the project of the Business Innovation Centre in Zlín was presented to the Operational Programme Industry and Enterprise of the Prosperity programme and was subsequently authorised by the assessment committee

The Project of the building as a whole is however not limited solely to the activities of the Business Incubator, the Science and Technology Park and the Technology Transfer Centre. The objective of TIC was to prepare and to execute the operation of a unique centre, which had until now been missing in Zlín, respectively in the Zlín Region. A centre which offers complex support of business innovation "under the one roof". This objective was to be aided by the placement of institutions for business support, regional development and continuing education into the premises of the Business Innovation Centre. A part of the areas of the building were designated specifically for this type of support and consulting institutions. The remaining area is designated for start-up and innovative companies within the framework of the Business Incubator and the Science and Technology Park. The proximity and connection of support services and business activities is also complimented by the industrial appearance of the building, which is apparent in every detail.

The renovation of the building was completed in October 2006 and TIC accepted the building on 1st December, 2006. Before commencing operations it was necessary to resolve some interior and layout modifications including the completion of information and communication technologies. These activities were carried out in the months between December 2006 and March 2007. Already during this time the above mentioned institutions gradually moved into the building and the TIC was transferred including the clients of the implemented Incubator and the Science and Technology Park.

Since April 2007 the Business Innovation Centre in Zlín is fully functional. Also available is a so called Education and Presentation Centre (ŠPC) - a fully equipped presentation and conference room.

The Business Innovation Centre in Zlín also has an incubation function, the areas in the first and second above ground floors are intended namely for clients of the Business Incubator and the Science and Technology Park. Apart from favourable rents these clients are offered technical help, consulting services and grants for external consulting.

During its short history the Business Innovation Centre in Zlín has been awarded two major awards.

Zlín Region's Property of the Year - The competition has been held for the past five years by the Regional building organisation of the Association of Building Entrepreneurs, the Czech Chamber of Architects, the Czech Chamber of Authorised Engineers and Technicians active in the construction and the Zlín Region. The award ceremony was held 21st May at the Malá scéna in Zlín. There were 35 candidates for award in seven categories. The renovation of the Business Innovation Centre building was awarded the main prize in the category of Industrial and Agricultural Structures and a special prize GRAND PRIX. The renovation concept of the building was praised by both local and foreign visitors.


Business Property of the Year - On the 4th October the 7th Annual Awards of the Business Property of the Year were held at the Slovanský Palác in Prague, an award presented each year by the CzechInvest Investment and Business Development Agency together with the Association for Foreign Investment AFI. The entire competition is now under the auspices of the Minister of Industry and Trade Martin Říman. According to an expert panel the largest contribution to the development of applied research in the Czech Republic came from the joint activity of the Tomas Bata University in Zlín and the Zlín Region's Technological Innovation Centre Ltd with the project "Business Innovation Centre Zlín". In this category the committee assessed the already existing science and technology parks, business incubators and technological centres and innovation centres orientated towards the fields of science, technology, business innovation and professional training, which as a rule cooperate with tertiary institutions, scientific workplaces or research institutes. The award was received personally from the general director of the CzechInvest agency Roman Čermák by the director of the organisation Mgr. Daniela Sobieská.