Czech Republic fiber optic company opens a calibration facility with larger plans coming in the next few years
Eustis, Fla. (August 12, 2025) – As the United States continues to expand its use of fiber optics for private and public uses, one of Europe’s leaders in this industry is establishing its first office in Eustis, Fla.
When fully integrated, OPTOKON North America will have a calibration facility for fiber optic equipment, a manufacturing facility for fiber optic cabling, and executive offices for sales, administration and more. The company looks to provide services for organizations such as private internet companies, the Armed Forces, and the Federal Aviation Authority.
“The opportunities here are tremendous, but to be a part of the continual integration of fiber optics, you need to be based in the United States,” says Paul Karch, founder and CEO of GARDANT GLOBAL. “Eustis and Lake County provided a unique value proposition to capture the eyes and ears of leaders in the community. Being located here will be one of the things that will differentiate us.”
GARDANT GLOBAL entered into a joint venture with OPTOKON to form OPTOKON North America and will be providing the sales, marketing and administration support for the company. GARDANT is currently based in South Florida but is relocating to Eustis.
One of the potential markets is the transition from traditional air traffic control technology into a more robust and safer system, using fiber optics. Central Florida has been a leader in developing the next generation of air traffic control for more than a decade.
Employment counts and total investment for Optokon North America are still dependent on new business.
OPTOKON was previously working in the United States until 2011. The company has locations or similar joint ventures in Southeast Asia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Egypt.
“Our company needed to find a way back into the United States, and we believe venturing with a company like GARDANT GLOBAL is the best pathway back,” says Jiri Stefl, Founder and CEO, OPTOKON a.s. “Our mission in Florida is to build a robust platform for local service, assembly, and calibration, supporting its military-grade active devices and test equipment. We’re already seeing success there and look forward to providing our products and services for customers throughout the Americas.”
The company is in the final stages of its first U.S. purchase order and should have its first large-scale contract in place within the first six months. To handle the first orders, a calibration center is being built at the MEGA Workforce building in Eustis, where the UCF Business Incubator is located.
Eventually, the company will be developing a manufacturing facility for fiber optics. That facility could stretch to be a quarter-mile long.
The entry into the United States is being facilitated by the UCF Business Incubation Program’s Soft Landing Program in its Lake County/Eustis Incubator. That program helps larger businesses establish a foothold in the Central Florida region.
“We’re excited to team up with the City of Eustis and UCF to support a business incubator right here in Lake County,” said Meg Brew, Lake County’s Director of Economic Development. “The program is a great way to help local entrepreneurs grow, and it brings new jobs and investment into our community. Optokon choosing to relocate to Lake County as a result of this partnership is fantastic news for the county and the incubator program.”
The incubation program has been targeting companies in non-traditional markets, like the Czech Republic, Hungary, Ireland and more.
“With our country looking to build manufacturing and other jobs in America, more companies are looking for ways to establish footholds in the United States through partnerships like this,” says Rafael Caamano, interim director, UCF Business Incubation Program. “We’re also seeing more companies look regionally for expansion, not just in places like Research Park and Lake Nona.”
Earlier this year, the incubation program formalized an outreach agreement with the Hungarian economic development organization, VOSZ, to open a Central Florida office as part of that plan. In addition, Seminole County recently awarded the incubation program a grant to focus on companies like these.
The move shows how Lake County’s innovation ecosystem is working.
LEAD Executive Director Heather Shubirg states, “This announcement highlights the vital role public-private partnerships play in driving economic development in our community. After Paul reached out to LEAD Board Member Pam Rivas of Mega Properties, she brought LEAD and Lake Tech into the initial conversation to help showcase our region’s workforce, quality of life, and collaborative business ecosystem. This was truly a team effort, with special kudos to Lake County and the City of Eustis for their support in strengthening and accelerating this ecosystem, resulting in a win for all. Welcome, OPTOKON!”
Karch is also looking for more opportunities to connect the world to Central Florida.
“I truly hope this is just the beginning of working with the incubator and local leaders to bring new businesses into this area,” he says. “I’d like to have multiple different joint ventures like this to bring more quality manufacturing and solutions to this area.”
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Contact: Alan Byrd, Alan Byrd & Associates, 407-415-8470, Alan@ByrdConnections.com
About OPTOKON a.s.: Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Jihlava, Czech Republic, OPTOKON a.s. is a globally recognized manufacturer and supplier of optical passive and active components, ruggedized devices, and complete fiber optic solutions for military, industrial, and telecom markets. With a strong presence across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia- Pacific , the company delivers tailor-made communication solutions and maintains ISO, NATO AQAP, and military certifications. OPTOKON is a trusted partner to leading defense integrators, telecom operators, and governments around the world. For more information, visit www.optokon.com.
About GARDANT GLOBAL Inc.: GARDANT GLOBAL is a leading provider of ISO 9001:2015 Certified Strategic Management Consulting, Sales and Marketing solutions for Government and Industry in both the domestic and international markets. GARDANT, with headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida, has delivered management consulting services for over 18 years, producing more than $350B in contract awards. GARDANT provides direct consulting support to companies desiring to begin, enhance and grow their business in the federal / state / local government marketplace and across international markets by enhancing their knowledge, qualifications, business development, proposal and delivery capacity. GARDANT also has contract vehicles (won for our clients) available immediately for any product and service delivery offerings to government agencies. For more information about GARDANT GLOBAL, please visit www.gardantglobal.com.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high-growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.
With eight facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. In 2023, current incubator clients supported over 1,000 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue. Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.
