From the Cellar to the World #4: How investors decide the future of start-ups – Jaroslav Trojan and his experiences with an investment fund
Podcast From Cellar to World brings another interesting episode! This time, we look at startups through the eyes of an investor. Our guest is Jaroslav Trojan, an experienced investor from the fund N1 (previously Nation 1), which has been involved in supporting many successful projects. How do they decide which start-ups to invest in? What exactly does venture capital mean and what role does an angel investor play? Let's take a peek into the world of financing innovative companies and find out what determines their success.
Startup definition: Growth and innovation
At the beginning of the podcast, Jaroslav Trojan clarifies what defines a startup. The startups supported by his fund are fast-growing technology companies with huge business potential. He discusses what distinguishes startups from traditional businesses and the rate of growth they must achieve to become attractive to investors. Jaroslav shared several interesting examples of companies that rapidly transformed from small projects into major players in their field.
Venture capital: How does it work?
In this part of the podcast, we delve into the world of venture capital. Jaroslav explains what it means to be a „venture capitalist“ and how a fund operates. His team not only invests financial resources, but also provides startups with crucial know-how, strategy, and contacts. Jaroslav also covers various investment stages – from initial investments in the order of hundreds of thousands of euros to later stages where startups can secure millions.
Examples of success
One example of a successful project that Jaroslav invested in is Snuggs, the European leader in the manufacture of period underwear. This company started as a small startup and is now enjoying great success thanks to good timing and effective support from investors. Jaroslav emphasises that the right investment can significantly help a startup not only financially, but also by opening doors to further growth opportunities.
Hardware startups: Specific challenges
Hardware startups face specific challenges, and Jaroslav talks about precisely these issues in the next part of the interview. He explains how important it is to validate demand for a product before the startup invests in its mass production. According to him, hardware is an industry where investors can expect long-term profit if they manage to find the right market opportunities.
Collaboration with PrusaLab
In conclusion, Jaroslav discusses the collaboration with PrusaLab, particularly within the PrusaLab hardware accelerator, where he acts as a mentor. In this context, he appreciates the opportunity to work with a team that has experience in product development and helps startups bring their ideas to life. Jaroslav also discusses how startups use 3D printing to create their first prototypes.
Listen to the full podcast episode and find out more about how startup investments are decided and what makes a successful project! Get inspired by the insights of an experienced investor and their tips on how to succeed in the competitive world of technological innovation.
