This year, the Engaged Investments Conference will place more emphasis on defense and cybersecurity
Engaged Investments, the leading international conference for investors and startups, will offer an even richer programme this autumn than last year. The aim of this unique event in the Czech Republic, which will bring together up to 350 participants from all over Europe, as well as major investors from the USA, is to promote cross-border investment and mutual cooperation between startups and investors across regions. The sixth edition, co-organised by DEPO Ventures and J&T Ventures, will take place on 23 and 24 October in Prague. In addition to investment topics, it will also focus on current technologies from the defense and cybersecurity industry, space technology, artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
Cardino's Revolutionary Used EV Sales Model Sparks Investor Excitement with €4 Million Seed Round
Cardino, a pioneer in the used electric vehicle (EV) market, recently announced a triumphant €4 million seed funding round spearheaded by Point Nine. The funding round was supported by an array of distinguished angel investors and notable figures, including key investors from platforms like Rosberg Ventures, Vinted.com, Bolt, HomeToGo, Dance and HeyJobs.
DEPO Ventures and StartupYard Double Down on Early Stage DeepTech Founders
Introducing a new co-investment initiative between StartupYard and DEPO Ventures, introducing the TechBoost Syndicate. This partnership aims to provide swift and efficient funding to early-stage DeepTech startups, helping them progress from the Proof of Concept (POC) phase to becoming investment-ready.
Acting as a security agent within mobile applications, Czech startup Talsec serves over a thousand c
With users increasingly favoring mobile applications over computers, attackers are turning their attention toward mobile devices. However, company executives often view security costs as a "necessary evil" due to their indirect impact on revenues. Czech startup Talsec aims to change this perspective by offering specialized tools for app developers that protect against hackers, conceal sensitive information, and detect malicious software. Originating as a spin-off from the Brno-based technology company Monet+, Talsec, after two years of organic growth, has received an investment exceeding 1 million euros in the first round from London-based Dig Ventures and Czech DEPO Ventures. This funding is intended to accelerate its penetration into the global market and support further development.
DEPO Ventures and Tensor Ventures Sell AI Chip Startup NEURONIX to US Tech Giant
In a recent landmark deal in the tech industry, Czech investment firms Tensor Ventures and Depo Ventures have jointly announced the sale of their shares in the American-Israeli startup Neuronix AI to Microchip Technology, a tech giant with a market valuation nearing $50 billion. This acquisition underscores the critical role of advanced AI technologies in an industry driven by escalating demands for computational power.
Startup Investors Grow More Optimistic, Yet Worry About the Scarcity of Quality Projects
The Czech startup landscape stands a significant chance of strengthening this year, as investments in technology companies are expected to increase markedly following a leaner last year. Fund general partners are particularly keen, with a third of them planning to invest substantially more. They are concerned, however, about securing sufficient capital from private investors. Although the vast majority intend to continue their investment activities, nearly 30 percent plan to do so at a reduced level compared to last year. These findings emerge from a survey conducted by the investment group DEPO Ventures, which is constructing an international syndicate of angel investors in addition to managing angel funds. The survey's strategic partners include the law firm Mavericks, the CzechInvest agency, and the Czech Business Angel Association (CBAA).
European startups got less money this year,but the sentiment is improving. Target: AI & climate tech
Petr Šíma: Forget about the United States, Europe has already overtaken it in the number of new startups. Moreover, it is the only region where the volume of capital invested in startups this year will be higher than in 2020, by 18 percent. Let's leave aside 2021 and early 2022, when startup valuations skyrocketed and investors bought whatever they could. That was an anomaly. This year, $45 billion will flow into European startups, according to a fresh analysis by Atomico. This is the third highest figure after the two years mentioned above and confirms that the ecosystem is on a strong footing.
DEPO’s Founders Meetup: A Catalyst for Innovation and Growth
Last October, DEPO Ventures had a great pleasure of organising a Founders Meetup that served as a beacon of innovation, collaboration, and growth. The event was a precursor to the Engaged Investments Conference and was attended by an eclectic mix of DEPO team members, 30 founders of start-ups from over 12 countries, and our valued Limited Partners (LPs). This event marked the first time that all the parties came together, fostering a vibrant ecosystem that thrives on shared knowledge, mutual growth, and a unified vision.
Decoding the DNA of a Successful Startup Founder
,,It's not enough for a startup founder to know his or her field. They must have perfect business instincts and a mature personality" says Michal Ciffra, Partner at DEPO Ventures.
Czech health tech start-up KARDI AI received EUR 1.5 million from investors for further development
The start-up KARDI AI, which aims to prevent heart health and optimize patient treatment through long-term ECG monitoring and early detection of possible cardiac arrhythmias using artificial intelligence, has now raised a further EUR 1.5 million from investors, bringing the total amount invested in the company to EUR 1.9 million. The funds will help the company to realize its ambitious plans aimed at dynamically increasing the number of users at an international level. The planned steps include, in particular, the introduction of a new version of the product with a higher level of approval from the regulatory authorities. This will support a faster expansion of the network of cooperating cardiologists, neurologists and general practitioners as well as the development of cooperations with other healthcare providers, retailers and health insurance companies. All this with the aim of simplifying and streamlining cardiac healthcare across Europe as quickly as possible.