In an approach to creating molecular-scale structures on glass surfaces via self assembly, a strongly-dimerizing ureido-[2-(4-pyrimidone)] (UPy) quadruple hydrogen-bonding array was chemically immobilized on silica surfaces by way of a triethoxysilane functionality. The unreacted surface silanols were then thoroughly passivated with a monofunctional organosilane, resulting in isolated UPy binding sites on the glass surface. These binding sites were found to selectively bind the strongly fluorescent perylenediimide (PDI) functionalized UPy molecules from solution, thus non-covalently linking the fluorophore to the surface. The association between the self-complementary molecules was exceptionally strong, both in solution and at the surface, such that effective hydrogen-bonding was retained after most solvent treatments. The binding was also reversible, however, so that washes with polar protic and dipolar aprotic solvents with high hydrogen-bonding capabilities, such as water, alcohols, and DMSO, resulted in the removal of the non-covalently bound fluorophore-tagged UPy. The UPy:UPy dimer system was also investigated in solution, using pyrene intramolecular excimer formation as a monitor of the dissociation of the pyrene heterodimers into homodimers incapable of forming excimers at micromolar concentrations. In addition, the energy transfer process in solution between pyrene and perylenediimide fluorophores linked through UPy dimerization was studied, with the intention using FRET-based measurements on the surface at single-molecule levels in order to determine the distances between UPy binding sites. Energy transfer was found to occur, but the observed photophysical behavior was complicated by possible secondary processes, which steady-state fluorescence measurements were unable to elucidate. The benefit of using this UPy system for attaching molecules to a surface lies in its reversibility of binding and versatility in manner of molecules which van be retained on the modified surface with a strong association. In this way molecular-scale features could conceivably be constructed on a surface by self-assembly, with the option of further chemical reactions to lock them in place, thus creating structures beyond the accessibility range of the conventional lithographic methods.

This thesis attempts to answer the question why there are so few female founders of startup companies in the Czech Republic. In order to identify the main roots of gender inequality in this field and obtain a detailed understanding of the gender culture of Czech startups, biographic-narrative interviews were conducted with women in managing positions as well as female founders of Czech startups. Through in-depth analysis of these women's narratives, key areas were identified which contribute to the reproduction of gender segregation in this field. The research found that the inequality is mainly caused by gender stereotypes towards women in the field of technology, which even the interviewed women reproduce through identification with a specific type of masculinity. In an attempt to fulfill the gendered expectations from an ideal startup founder or manager women often find themselves in conflict with the traditional role of women in the Czech Republic. The second group of women on the other hand emphasize the importance of femininity and indentify themselves against this type of masculinity. The analysis also showed the importance of the gender inequalities in the technical field of education, that are also reflected in the startups. The author recommends a further research into the following areas...

This thesis outlines the fundamental theory of setting up a marketing communication strategy in a B2B start-up environment. The objective is to design a communication strategy for a start-up company from scratch, providing a detailed outline of the steps required and considerations to be included, based on the literature from the theoretical part. This thesis serves as a practical guide for the creation of a successful communication strategy in a B2B start-up - a topic which has not been covered sufficiently by academic literature to date. In order to design the promotional strategy, existing literature has been used to set up the theoretical groundwork, industry benchmarking and primary research has been conducted, and secondary research has been performed. As a result, recommendations have been formed, which will be implemented in practice. The implications of this thesis' output will therefore be that the suggestions can be evaluated in retrospect.