
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.

Investing Beyond Borders: Where Trust, Cultures, and Networks Collide
The Engaged Investments Conference recently hosted a panel discussion featuring industry experts, each offering unique perspectives on "How to Cross-Borders: Fostering Cooperation and Investment across the CEE Region." The speakers shared valuable insights on the challenges and strategies associated with investing in the Region.

„We live in the current ecosystem, and we shouldn’t hope it will change.”
The Engaged Investments Conference's agenda was brimming with inspiring conversations, and one such panel discussion delved deep into the dynamics of start-up investments in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. With notable industry experts sharing their experience, the panel, titled "Exploring the Pros and Cons: Traditional VC Funds vs. Angel Syndicates and its Place in the CEE Region," provided a comprehensive exploration of the challenges, trends, and opportunities shaping the landscape.

Investment Stars Shine at the Prague Engaged Conference, Sharing Success Tips for Startup Investment
Prague, September 19, 2023 – Two days filled with inspiring lectures, discussions, networking opportunities, and interactions with prominent investors in startups, along with other enriching experiences, await at the Engaged Investments conference. The event is organized by the investment company DEPO Ventures and will take place on Tuesday, October 24th, and Wednesday, October 25th, at the Kaiserštejnský Palace in Prague. Among the international luminaries set to participate are American investor and mentor Marvin Liao, Irish tech entrepreneur and business angel of the year 2023 Mary McKenna, and British investor Keith Grose, who also plays an active role in managing numerous startups. They will be joined by notable investment names from Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltics. The conference is supprted by the venture capital ecosystem such as J&T Ventures, Presto Ventures, OTB Ventures, Baltic Sandbox and even by the prestigious Credo Ventures.

NEW INVESTMENT: Cardino Secures €1M Pre-seed Funding to Build the Marketplace for Used Electric Cars
Berlin-based startup, Cardino, announces its new online platform tailored for the electric vehicle (EV) market. By leveraging innovative tech features, Cardino promises a seamless, digital experience for both EV sellers and car dealerships. The company successfully closed a €1M pre-seed round, with Silence VC and FJ Labs leading, and involvement from distinguished investors like Asymmetric Capital Partners, DEPO Ventures, Voyagers.io, Inclimo, Gaingels, and other industry experts as business angels.

Autumn Conference to Welcome European Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors to Prague
The Czech startup environment is gaining momentum, as evidenced by the international investment conference Engaged Investments, which, due to high demand, will offer a two-day program for the first time this year. Organizers expect three hundred participants. The prestigious event in Prague will bring together angel investors, fund investors, and representatives of venture capital funds, primarily focusing on startups from Central and Eastern Europe. The exclusive event, organized for the fifth year by the investment group DEPO Ventures, will provide investors with a deeper insight into the world of startups, expand their knowledge, and help strengthen their collaboration. The conference will take place on October 24th and 25th at the Kaiserštejnský Palace in Prague's Malá Strana.

Why investing in startups could be the key to success during an economic downturn
During market downturns, the best investment opportunities arise. This applies to both stocks and investing in technological startups. In times of crisis and high inflation, leaving money lying in accounts is not advisable. Those who start investing now will have greater profits in the future.

KB SmartSolutions launches cooperation with DEPO Ventures
Banks and financial technology start-ups (in other words fintechs) represent two different worlds. They have different DNA, speak the different language, and the partnership between them may not be easy. However, it can bring many benefits. Not only for both parties involved, but mainly for the client. KB SmartSolutions, the member of the Komerční banka Group, and the investment company DEPO Ventures currently launch their cooperation. Its main goal is the search for promising start-ups, mainly thanks to the expansion of the joint field of activity. Start-ups with smart solutions that could potentially complement the current portfolio of Komerční banka, under the wings of KB SmartSolutions, will be searched for not only in the Czech Republic, but also beyond its borders, especially in Central and Eastern Europe. The partners also want to jointly support the local start-up ecosystem and strengthen the position of start-ups in the region. Mutual support will also take place in the areas of sponsorship and networking.

Looking back at the Engaged Investments Conference 2022
During this year’s Engaged Investments Conference organized by DEPO Ventures, we welcomed a number of speakers primarily from the CEE and the Baltic regions. They all talked about the current state of investments, as well as what the future of the venture capital ecosystem might bring. Among the main topics discussed this year was the need for cooperation between VCs and angel investors, as well as the potential prospects of cross-border investments. We hope, that after a full day of exciting debates combined with networking, everyone who attended may have come home a bit wiser than they were before.