Prague tech conference to connect EU and US investors with local startups

The Engaged Investments conference, a premier international event for investors and startups, is set to take place on Oct. 23 and 24 in Prague, attracting up to 350 participants from Europe and key investors from the USA.

Co-organized by DEPO Ventures and J&T Ventures, the fifth edition of the conference will delve into cross-border investments and collaboration in the startup ecosystem, emphasizing defense and cybersecurity technologies, space advancements, and artificial intelligence.

This year’s conference promises a richer program than previous editions, aiming to foster knowledge sharing among leading venture capitalists. It will address various topics, including the challenges faced by startups in securing venture capital in the USA and Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the significance of successful exits in the startup lifecycle.

Among the notable speakers scheduled to present are Michal Pěchouček, former CTO of Avast; Ory Weihs, founder of the startup Odeon; and Michael Rozstok Poplar, a Czech entrepreneur and investor. Also featured will be Martin Hudeček from RSJ Investments, Tony Nysten, the founder of MariaDB, and Nico Schoenenberger, an investor at 10X Founders with a fund valued at CZK 4 billion.

The lineup also includes Marvin Liao, an American investor with a portfolio of over 460 startups, and Marcin Hejka, general partner of the Polish deep tech fund OTB Ventures. Representatives from the European Commission and NATO Innovation Network will also participate.

The conference will split its focus across two days, with the first day dedicated to investors and networking opportunities. The second day will showcase one hundred technology startups from various sectors seeking funding, featuring a startup competition and the Defence Innovation Challenge.

Given the current global security landscape, there is a strong emphasis on developing defense technologies. Engaged Investments has collaborated with the DefSec Innovation Hub and the newly established Czech fund, Presto Tech Horizons.

“Five years ago, defense technologies were primarily the realm of states, funded by government initiatives. However, the EU and NATO are now advocating for private sector involvement and venture capital investment in this critical area,” says Petr Šíma, partner at DEPO Ventures. He emphasizes that the dual-use potential of new technologies reduces risks for investors.

The conference will also highlight the regional final of the prestigious Global Startup World Cup, organized by Pegasus Tech Ventures. The ten best startups will compete for a chance to advance to the finals in Silicon Valley, where they will vie for a one million dollar prize. Additional incentives include a CZK 50,000 travel grant from Visa for flights to the USA and a CZK 2.5 million investment from DEPO Ventures.

“International interest in our format is growing, and we are excited to see stronger foreign representation this year,” Eliška Vámošová, director of the Engaged Investments conference, says through a press release.

Other partners supporting the conference include the global law firm Bird & Bird, Visa, Česká spořitelna, and various investment agencies. DEPO Ventures, known for its focus on early-stage startups in Central and Eastern Europe, aims to educate investors on incorporating startup investments into their portfolios, thereby enhancing the region's entrepreneurial landscape.