Slovak Grant for Czech Startup Under Fire Amid Lack of Employees

A Slovak branch of a Czech technology startup, Respilon Slovakia, is under scrutiny after receiving a substantial €1.3 million grant from the Slovak Ministry of Investments, Regional Development, and Informatization. The company, which specializes in nanofiber technologies, promised to create more than 30 high-skilled jobs, including IT specialists and researchers, within a tight timeframe.

However, an on-site inspection of the company's rented offices in Topoľčany, a city of over 20,000 inhabitants, revealed no employees present. The company owner, Roman Zima, initially claimed employees would be found there but later stated they could work remotely according to their contracts. The ministry has already disbursed part of the grant, which is funded by the recovery plan.

This situation raises serious questions about the grant's allocation and the company's actual operations in Slovakia. The Czech parent company, Respilon, has faced previous controversies abroad. The investigation into Respilon Slovakia's activities highlights potential issues with grant oversight and the verification of job creation promises, particularly concerning companies expanding into new markets.