
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.

Peer-to-Peer Platform NOLD Raises EUR 1M to Power the Next Generation of Fashion Resale
The tech company is empowering sustainable, premium, and entry-luxury brands in its mission to reduce the fashion industry's impact.

„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.

DEPO invested in Certifier
The Poland-based startup, Certifier, has just secured over $700,000 in funding from Movens Capital, FundingBox Deep Tech Fund, DEPO Ventures, and Black Pearls VC in a seed round. As part of the investment agreement, these funds have the option to double their capital commitment in the coming months. Certifier is developing a digital credential infrastructure in a SaaS model. Currently, 800 businesses and individuals rely on Certifier to store their digital certificates and badges. Their customers include Avon Canada, University of Illinois, and Oxford School District. The global market size for digital credentials software, encompassing diplomas, certificates, and badges, is estimated at $1.6 billion and is projected to surpass $6 billion by 2033. In five years, Certifier aims to be the market leader in digital credential management software.

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.

Our Portfolio Company BLOCKMATE Secures 1.5 million Euro Investment! DEPO Is on Board as a Follow-on
Providing analytical insights into the world of digital assets and becoming a bridge between the cryptocurrency and traditional finance worlds is the goal of the Czech-Slovak startup Blockmate. They are developing a new generation of solutions for secure and consolidated financial services. They have now secured an investment totaling 1.5 million euros (approximately 36 million Czech korunas) from seven investors. The largest portion, amounting to 760,000 euros, will come from Seed Starter of Česká a Slovenská spořitelna. Among other investors are investment funds Tensor Ventures, DEPO Ventures, Token Ventures, BADideas.fund, ZAKA Ventures, and Diaspora Ventures. This investment marks a significant milestone for the company, enabling them to continue connecting cryptocurrencies, digital assets, and traditional finance.

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.