Michal Lorenc

Michal Lorenc is the Vice President for industry at the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster and R&D Program Manager at onsemi, a leading semiconductor manufacturer based in Scottsdale, Arizona. onsemi specializes in intelligent power and sensing solutions for automotive and industrial markets.

Michal has over 30 years of experience in semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing. At Masaryk University, he focused on porous silicon, silicon germanium alloys, and vibrational spectroscopy. Since 2000, he has worked at onsemi in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, leading numerous R&D projects, including silicon crystal growth, silicon-on-insulator, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide wafer technology.

Since 2023, Michal has been a member of the CZ/SK section of The International Microelectronics and Packaging Society and Vice-President of the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster. The cluster aligns with top academic institutes, leading companies, startups, and regional innovation centers within the semiconductor ecosystem. It represents a key expert authority for the National Semiconductor Strategy and for developing international semiconductor relationships within Silicon Europe Alliance, as well as with partners in Taiwan and the USA. 

Jan Kobliha

Jan Kobliha is an experienced leader in industrial policy and digital transformation, currently serving as the Director of the Sectoral Expertise and Industrial Policy Department at the Ministry of Industry and Trade. With over a decade of experience, Jan has led national initiatives in technology and innovation, coordinating with the European Commission on key projects such as the National Action Plan on Clean Mobility or the National Semiconductor Strategy.

Previously, Jan was a Ministerial Counsellor, overseeing digital innovation hubs and participating in European projects on AI, cybersecurity, and industrial strategy. At the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU, Jan coordinated the Competitiveness Council, focusing on the European Chips Act and international Digital Partnerships.
Earlier roles include National Expert at the European Commission, where Jan managed Digital innovation hub selection processes, and Export Consultant at CzechTrade, supporting internationalbusiness development, including a leadership stint in Morocco.

Jiří Blažek

Economic geographer, Head of the Department of Social Geography and Regional Development at Charles University. He is author or co-author of five monographs and about 80 scientific papers on evolution of regional innovation systems, global production networks, and on regional and innovation policies. He collaborates extensively with organizations at the European, national, and regional levels (e.g., DG REGIO, DG RESEARCH, MRD, MIT, MEYS, CzechInvest, JIC, MS-IC, SIC, RDA Plzeň, etc.). He served as a member of the National Management Board for Smart Specialisation in Czechia during its p Charles University reparation for 2014-2020 period and was member of the Expert Group for RIS3 strategy for 2021-2027 period nominated by the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade. 

Marco Ceccarelli

Marco Ceccarelli serves as Programme Officer for Microelectronics and Photonics Industry at the European Commission, where he contributes to shaping EU industrial policies and strategies in semiconductors. Following his direct involvement in the drafting and negotiation of the European Chips Act, Marco is now playing a key role in its implementation, focusing on Research and Innovation, chip design, manufacturing, as well as financing instruments for innovative ventures. Before joining the Commission in 2017, he held various managerial roles at Philips (NL), spearheading innovation in electronic systems, and held executive positions in high-tech SMEs. His career began as a research scientist in Italy and the Netherlands. Marco holds a Dr.Ing. Laurea in Electronic Engineering from the University of Florence and an Executive MBA from ESSEC Business School in Paris.

Petr Knap

Petr has 30 years of professional experience. He has led 100+ consulting projects for the automotive, engineering and FMCG industries in the CEE region. He is a member of the Council for Commercialization of Science at CTU and the Scientific Council of FPH at VŠE Prague. He regularly publishes and lectures.

Pavel Freundlich

Serves as the Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of the Power Solutions Group at onsemi, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. He spearheads the development of cutting-edge semiconductor technologies at onsemi 200 mm and 300 mm Fabs for automotive and industrial power conversion, leading an international team of design, process integration, and modeling engineers, managers, and directors. Under his leadership, the Power Solutions Group of onsemi continues to innovate with advanced silicon, silicon carbide, and gallium nitride solutions for power switching devices. Recognizing the growing demand for high-efficiency power conversion, he has prioritized the vertical integration of wide bandgap materials and processes at onsemi to overcome supply chain challenges and promote the adoption of disruptive technologies and solutions. Pavel has been with onsemi for 22 years in various R&D and technology development positions. Prior to onsemi, he conducted research at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, and Technical University of Ostrava, Czech Republic. He holds a master’s degree in solid state physics, a PhD in materials science, and an Executive MBA. 

Konrad Young

Dr. Konrad Young earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley. He has a wealth of experience, having worked as a researcher at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory and as a senior technologist at HP. He also served as the R&D Director at TSMC, where he led the development of advanced semiconductor processes, including the 0.18-micron, 0.13-micron, and 65-nanometer technologies. After his tenure at TSMC, he worked as an independent director at SMIC and as a technical advisor to Intel. Currently, he is an adjunct professor in the Leadership Program at National Taiwan University.  

Jan Pleskač

Jan Pleskač is the CEO and co-founder of Tropic Square, driving innovation in open-source security for the semiconductor industry. An expert in chip design, architecture, and hardware security, he leads the development of TROPIC01, the world’s first open-secure chip, successfully launched in February 2025. With a background spanning ASIC design, embedded firmware, and security evaluation, Jan is dedicated to advancing secure hardware and fostering a global community in the field. Before Tropic Square, he held key roles at Intel, Altera, S3 Group, and CLS, shaping his deep expertise in system architecture and custom chip design. 

Stefan Uhlig

Stefan carries an engineering degree in material science from the Technical University of Dresden.  With over 10 years experience as engineer and scientist for process development at Fraunhofer and University in the field of micro electronics and photovoltaic he joined forces with Silicon Saxony in 2015. Since, he dedicate his enthusiasm and energy as project and cluster manager towards the development of successful and sustaining network management. Focusing on the collaboration instead of competition by strengthening the strengths and seeking partnerships in Europe and beyond. 

Jana Drbohlavová

Jana Drbohlavová is the Deputy Director and Coordinator of the Czech Semiconductor Centre project, where she focuses on the development of the semiconductor ecosystem in the Czech Republic, promoting innovation and cooperation between research and industry. She is also active in the field of education and promotion of technical fields, especially microelectronics, and strives to increase interest in these fields among students and companies.

After graduating in Physical Chemistry from Brno University of Technology and obtaining her PhD from Claude Bernard University in Lyon, she worked at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technologies and CEITEC BUT. From 2017 to 2023, she was seconded as a national expert to the European Commission's Directorate General for Research and Innovation, where she focused on the safety and sustainability of materials for innovation markets.