Fractional CFO services in the Czech Republic

R&D tax deduction

Czech companies can deduct 100% of qualifying R&D expenditure twice - once as a regular cost and once as an additional R&D super-deduction against corporate income tax. Effectively reduces the cost of R&D by ~19% (the Czech corporate tax rate, recently raised to 21% from 2024).

TAČR grants

TAČR (Technology Agency of the Czech Republic) administers R&D project grants across thematic and open calls - TREND, ÉTA, GAMA and bilateral cooperation programmes. Funding rates typically 50-85% on qualifying R&D project costs depending on programme and company size.

CzechInvest support

CzechInvest is the Czech investment and business development agency. Provides advisory support, R&D and innovation grants under EU-funded programmes, plus dedicated startup tracks (CzechAccelerator). Slow but non-dilutive and a credibility marker for later VC.

ČMZRB / National Development Bank

The Czech-Moravian Guarantee and Development Bank (now National Development Bank) provides subsidised loans and guarantees for Czech SMEs and innovative companies. Stacks with TAČR grants and private bank lending for working capital and growth.

Czech VC ecosystem

The Czech VC scene has grown materially in the last decade. Active funds include Credo Ventures, Reflex Capital, Inven Capital, J&T Ventures, Lighthouse Ventures and Presto Ventures. Cross-border participation from European and US investors is common at growth stage.

Venture debt

Less developed than Western European markets. Kreos Capital, Claret Capital Partners and HSBC Innovation Banking operate in the Czech Republic via cross-border lending. Typically deployed against ARR or contracted revenue from Series A onwards.

Standard stock options

Czech stock options are taxed at exercise on the spread as employment income at marginal rates (up to ~23% plus social and health insurance contributions). Less favourable than UK EMI or French BSPCE but workable for most early-stage tech with careful structuring around grant pricing.

Phantom shares and SARs

Cash-settled equity-like instruments are common in Czech startups, particularly for early-stage grants where avoiding tax-at-exercise complications matters. The holder receives a cash bonus equal to the value of a notional option at exit. Taxed as employment income at payout.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)

Used at later-stage Czech companies, particularly those with US investors. Taxed as employment income at vesting at marginal rates. Double-trigger structures used at growth-stage private companies to avoid taxing employees on illiquid shares.

Direct share grants

Direct grants of Czech s.r.o. (limited liability) or a.s. (joint-stock) shares require notarisation for transfers. Used selectively for senior hires; most Czech startups prefer option-style or phantom structures over direct grants for broad-based equity.

Option valuation

Czech startups typically peg option strike values to the price of the most recent priced round. Independent valuations are useful for material grant programmes to support the Czech tax authority position on fair market value at grant.

Reporting and Czech Tax Office

Option exercises flow through Czech payroll for income tax, social and health insurance contributions. Annual employer reporting on equity events required. Worth aligning between cap-table tool, Czech payroll provider and tax advisor at each material equity event.

Accounting

• •Pohoda (Stormware) or Money S3 - established Czech accounting platforms.
• •Fakturoid - modern Czech invoicing platform with bookkeeping integrations.
• •NetSuite - for late-stage companies needing multi-entity consolidation.

Payroll

• •Pohoda Mzdy or Money Mzdy - common Czech payroll modules.
• •Factorial - modern HR + payroll alternative for Czech startups.
• •Deel or Remote - for hiring contractors and staff outside the Czech Republic.

Business banking

• •Česká spořitelna, ČSOB or Komerční banka - for treasury, FX and traditional debt facilities.
• •mBank CZ or Raiffeisenbank - alternatives with strong domestic SME coverage.
• •Revolut Business - for early-stage simplicity.
• •Wise Business - for multi-currency operations.

Cap table & equity admin

• •Ledgy - strong European coverage; common at Czech venture-backed startups.
• •Carta - for Czech companies with US investors or a US parent.
• •Pulley - modern alternative at later stage.

Expenses & corporate cards

• •Pleo - European default; clean integrations with Czech accounting tools.
• •Spendesk - strong approval workflows for larger teams.
• •Payhawk - alternative with CEE coverage.