Now when the dust have settled we would like to share about the trip our CEO Ondřej took part in a Czech business mission to the USA, visiting Atlanta, San Francisco, and Detroit. The trip was organized by Svaz průmyslu a dopravy ČR / Confederation of Industry CZ, Ministerstvo dopravy ČR, and CzechTrade, and led by Minister Martin Kupka and Bohdan Wojnar.

At COPS Solutions, we support venture builders, spin-offs, and startup teams — so here’s what we noticed, learned, and believe our network should know:

What the U.S. does differently

Ecosystems are intentionally designed — not just organic.

From Curiosity Lab in Atlanta to Newlab in Detroit, we saw how local governments, corporations, and universities actively co-create test opportunities for startups. It’s not just a “startup hub” — it’s a system where public and private players commit resources, space, and access to help entrepreneurs grow.

Startups aren’t treated as “risky” — they’re essential.

At places like Georgia Tech or Atlanta TechPark, startups aren’t pitching from the sidelines. They’re integrated into infrastructure, pilot programs, and policy innovation. That creates trust and speed — two things European ecosystems sometimes lack.

American founders think big by default.

It’s not about “how do we get our first clients,” but “how do we scale this globally?” That mindset shift shows up in product, team structure, even how they pitch. The clarity and confidence are contagious — and something we’re already bringing back to our venture partners.

What it means for our network

If you’re building a startup, spin-off, or scale-up in mobility, legaltech, or AI — the bar for innovation isn’t just about tech. It’s about ecosystem fit and global ambition.

Want to test in real-world environments? Look at cities that open their infrastructure to startups.
Thinking about cross-Atlantic expansion? Learn how to position your value in a U.S. context.
Feeling stuck in your local market? Get inspired by what it looks like when policy and business align.
These are the lessons we’re taking straight into our venture building and ICP strategy work — so you don’t have to learn them the hard way.

Huge thanks to the mission organizers:

Czech Ministry of Transport, Confederation of Industry, CzechTrade, and the Czech Embassy in Washington, D.C. for opening the doors and creating this opportunity.

And to all the local partners and friends who shared their time, energy, and honest insights with Ondřej — thank you for helping us think bigger.