Meet our startups: Hikade Technologies

Since 2016, ESA BIC Czech Republic has been supporting the most innovative technology startups that leverage space expertise to drive the Czech innovation ecosystem forward. These companies show that space technologies have huge potential beyond orbit, offering groundbreaking applications in industries such as manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and environmental protection.

Today, we are pleased to introduce a company that perfectly combines cutting-edge engineering, research, and environmental responsibility. Meet Hikade Technologies, a Brno-based startup that is also part of Technology Incubation by CzechInvest.

Hikade Technologies is an engineering-focused startup developing advanced mechatronic systems for extreme environments. Their main expertise lies in high-precision positioning systems, and specialized testing. With their own designed cryo vacuum chamber there are capable of testing in conditions equivalent to stratosphere using vacuum and extremely low temperatures.

The flagship product Hikade Technologies is incubating at ESA BIC Czech Republic is the PATRON gimbal. This two-axis stabilization system is designed for High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS), enabling precise steering of optical or communication devices at altitudes around 20 kilometers. Thanks to its design, the PATRON gimbal allows accurated positioning and stabilization of payload. Its design for repeated use, helping to reduce costs and prevent technological waste. Hikade Technologies is also committed to sustainability and proudly supports the Zero Debris Charter alongside other Czech companies and research institutions.  “At Hikade Technologies, we design all our systems with sustainability at their core. Keeping space clean isn’t just our responsibility, it’s essential for the future of innovation. That’s why we’re proud to support the Zero Debris Charter,” says Tomáš Hikade, founder of Hikade Technologies.

Interestingly, the technology developed to test the PATRON gimbal has also led to innovation in a completely different field. To simulate the harsh conditions of the stratosphere, the company created in house cryovacuum chamber that can replicate startosferical conditions such as vacuum, deeo or high temperatures. This technology became the foundation for a new product called CroLyze, a cryogenic freeze-dryer.

Developed with the support of the ESA Spark programme, CroLyze transfers space technology into the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors. It offers rapid freezing and precise control of pressure and temperature, making it ideal for processing sensitive biological materials such as collagen, blood components, and vaccines. Thanks to its compact design and affordable operating costs, CroLyze makes advanced freeze-drying technology accessible to small laboratories and research teams.

Hikade Technologies is a great example of how advanced research, business innovation, and sustainability can come together. Their ability to bridge space engineering and practical applications on Earth makes them exactly the kind of visionary startup that ESA BIC Czech Republic is proud to support.