News

VŠE Is Part of the International ZEEUS Project. Its Task Is to Create a Toolkit for Teaching Social Entrepreneurship

The Prague University of Economics and Business (VŠE) has joined the international project ZEEUS (Zero Emissions Entrepreneurship for Universal Sustainability), which connects universities, entrepreneurs, and innovators from around the world. The project aims to develop entrepreneurship that has a positive impact on society — that is, business initiatives that generate not only profit but also […]

How We Live in Europe: The Czech Republic Surprised, Ranking Among the Best in Quality of Life

How do people live across Europe? Where does economic strength, social security, and a healthy environment come together—and where does quality of life fall behind? A new study brings a surprising answer: the Czech Republic belongs among the countries that perform far better than expected within Europe. “We often feel that we’re not doing particularly […]

RIS4SEB Workshops Spark New Research Teams Across Europe

This autumn, the RIS4SEB project took a major step forward in connecting researchers. A series of four thematic workshops held across Europe brought together academics who share an interest in sustainability, labour market, innovation and entrepreneurship, and AI and digital transformation — and who are now shaping new blended international research teams.  Four Workshops, One […]

Ayaz Zeynalov on Why Copying Isn’t Enough and How Countries Reach the Technological Frontier

How do countries grow — and why do some make it to the technological frontier while others get stuck halfway there? In this episode of Horizont VŠE, our guest Ayaz Zeynalov, economist and author of the study Innovation vs. Imitation: How to Reach the Technological Frontier, explains how nations initially develop by imitating foreign technologies, […]

How Circular Startups Are Changing the Future of Food and Packaging

Imagine a food industry where leftovers don’t end up in the trash but become a resource instead. Where technology monitors waste to ensure nothing is squandered, and packaging isn’t single-use but returns to circulation. Sounds like a vision of the future? For many startups, it’s already reality.  When Startups Take on the Challenge of Food […]

TEDxVSE University: From theory to market

From Marx to Markets: Geoffrey Hodgson on the Evolution of Economic Ideas

Do you know what a heterodox economist is — and what Charles Darwin has to do with economics? In this episode, Geoffrey Hodgson shares his insights on how economies evolve, why markets matter, and what kind of institutions help countries like the Czech Republic break out of the middle-income trap and thrive in the green […]

Can Europe Grow Green and Prosper? Magnus Henrekson on Growth, Energy, and the Future of Economics

In the second part of the conversation, host Niclas Berggren continues his interview with Swedish economist Magnus Henrekson, delving deeper into the key forces shaping Europe’s economic future. They discuss what truly drives economic growth, whether the size of government matters, and how post-Communist countries like the Czech Republic have managed their transition. The conversation […]

Is Europe Losing the Innovation Race? Magnus Henrekson on Entrepreneurship and Institutions

In this new episode, host Niclas Berggren talks with Magnus Henrekson about some of today’s most pressing economic challenges. The discussion explores: what entrepreneurship is and why it matters, why innovation is crucial for competitiveness – and why the Czech Republic has been lagging behind, how governments can create conditions where innovation and entrepreneurship flourish, […]

Innovation vs. Imitation: How to Reach the Technological Frontier 

The economies of countries are constantly evolving. Many countries achieve rapid growth by adopting technology from abroad – in other words, they imitate. Yet imitation has its limits. At a certain point, countries must shift to their own ideas, innovations, and creativity. A new study by Ayaz Zeynalov, published in the prestigious journal Technological Forecasting […]