Plexo is Building Infrastructure for Global Stablecoin Payments
Stablecoins are rapidly becoming part of international trade. However, the financial sector still lacks the infrastructure needed to connect financial institutions that work with these pegged cryptocurrencies. The Prague-based startup Plexo, which has recently received backing from the investment fund DEPO Ventures, is building this missing layer. The global significance of this technology is also evidenced by the interest of the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), which has invited Plexo to consult on the development of regulations for corporate stablecoin payments.
What can you expect from the 7th edition of the Engaged Investments Conference?
The value of the startup ecosystem in Central and Eastern Europe more than doubled between 2019 and 2023, reaching approximately €213 billion. The number of active venture capital funds is growing, along with the pool of local investors and talent. Still, the region continues to lack what matters most: large-scale growth capital and the ability to keep companies based locally.
Turning Any Smartphone Into a Payment Terminal, Czech Fintech Tapaya Has Raised EUR 1 Million
Prague-based fintech startup Tapaya has raised €1 million, nearly CZK 25 million, in a pre-seed funding round. The round was led by Czech VC fund DEPO Ventures and the UK’s Passion Capital, with Latvia’s BADideas.fund also joining the investment. The new capital will help Tapaya complete its formal certifications and further develop its proprietary infrastructure, which enables banks, fintechs and other software platforms to easily embed payment acceptance directly into their apps.
WanderWallet Raises EUR 430K to Make It Easier for Tourists to Pay Without a Local Bank Account
WanderWallet, a travel-first wallet that lets foreigners pay like locals across Latin America, has announced a EUR 430K pre-seed round from BDPartners and DEPO Ventures. The service is already live in Brazil, Argentina, and Bolivia, where instant payments have effectively replaced cards as the primary way people pay. In Brazil alone, Pix now processes more transactions than Visa, Mastercard, and all other payment methods combined. For millions of international visitors, however, these local systems often remain out of reach due to practical barriers.
Czech Startup Market Sees Investor Outflow as Slow Exits and Weak Investment Environment Stall Growt
The Czech startup ecosystem is approaching a critical threshold. According to the latest investor survey conducted by investment firm DEPO Ventures in cooperation with the Czech Startup Association and its partners, the share of first-time investors has declined significantly, while one third of existing investors plan to scale back or halt their investment activity this year. Investors cite low market liquidity, a shortage of high-quality startup opportunities, and weak investment infrastructure as the main barriers. At the same time, data and insights from the sixth edition of the survey point to possible solutions: better access to information, greater sharing of experience and deal flow, and systemic support in the form of tax incentives.
When Portfolio Companies Become Each Other's Best Customers: The Flowpay–Tapline Story
Two of our portfolio companies just proved why hands-on fund management isn't optional—it's how you multiply returns. Last week, Flowpay acquired Tapline. On paper, it's a straightforward fintech M&A. Look closer, and you'll see something far more valuable: a case study in portfolio construction that creates returns beyond what either company could achieve alone.
Strategic Investments of the Future: Engaged Investments Conference Brings Investors from Across Eur
This October, Prague’s National House Vinohrady will become a key meeting point for the European tech scene. Over two days, hundreds of investors, startup founders, and innovation leaders will gather at Engaged Investments 2025, an international conference organized by DEPO Ventures and J&T Ventures. The event will take place on October 22–23, 2025, offering participants fresh insights from the startup world and a unique opportunity to connect capital with the tech shaping the future. This year will spotlight critical infrastructure and strategic innovation.
Central Europe's Most Advanced, and Growing with the Engaged Investments Conference
European startups are now looking back on the boom of 2021 with nostalgia. That year, they managed to raise an impressive 117 billion euros from investors. However, the following years saw a sharp decline. By 2023, this had dropped to just 54 billion, and in 2024, it further dipped to 51 billion, according to Crunchbase data. Early-stage funding (seed and angel investments) followed this downward trend.
Czech Republic Has Plenty of Capital, but Quality Startups Remain Elusive
Czech investors were active again in 2024, willing to commit venture capital to startups. However, nearly two-thirds (62.2%) of them flagged the lack of quality startups as the biggest challenge last year, marking an almost 20% increase compared to 2023. These findings come from a survey conducted by the investment group DEPO Ventures.
Flowpay raises €30 million to lend to SMEs and innovate embedded finance
Prague-based FinTech startup Flowpay has secured €30 million from investment manager Fasanara Capital to provide working capital financing for SMEs and become a notable player in the world of embedded finance.