Slovakia's startup ecosystem is steadily growing and gaining recognition on the global stage. The country offers a favorable business environment and ecosystem for startups, with low taxes, government support, and access to European markets. Its growing startup ecosystem and proximity to major European cities also make it an attractive destination for startup investment and expansion. In this article, we have compiled a comprehensive list of top Venture Capitalist Funds (VCs) in Slovakia that can provide you with the capital and support to help you succeed!
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Venture Capitalist Funds in Slovakia
The venture capital firms below are actively looking for investments in promising companies throughout various stages and sectors. The stages stated do not limit the possibility of getting funding if your company is at any stage other than what is listed.
Year of Inception: 2012
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed
Focus: Fintech, Healthcare, Future of Work, Future of Food, Ecomtech
Notable Portfolio: Perfeqt, NitroPack, Quantive, Metrilo
Eleven Ventures is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm based in Southeast Europe. With an impressive track record of 150 investments over the past decade, they have established themselves as a leading player in the region. Focused on nurturing and supporting tech companies, Eleven Ventures offers not only capital but also strategic guidance and network access to their invested companies. They have built strong connections with key decision-makers, enabling startups to forge new partnerships and seize growth opportunities.
Year of Inception: 2016
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: DingoDot, Mobilyze, Airvolute, Nativero
Vision Ventures is a prominent early-stage venture capital firm with a focus on pre-seed and seed investments. Vision Ventures is founded by experienced entrepreneurs who aim to support and empower fellow entrepreneurs. The VC stands out for its strong understanding of business models and markets, offering valuable advice and insights throughout the fundraising process.
Year of Inception: 2019
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: Boataround, Artzenal, SmartHead, Unimus
Founded in 2019, CB Investment Management operates as the growth/expansion investment arm of Crowdberry, based in Bratislava, Slovakia. The firm specializes in providing funding to startups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on B2B industries. They offer capital and strategic guidance to help these businesses thrive and achieve their growth potential.
Year of Inception: 2019
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed
Focus: Technology
Notable Portfolio: Blockmate, We Make Games, SpectreXR, MediSearch
ZAKA VC is a venture capital firm based in the Czech Republic, with a strong focus on pre-seed and seed investments across Europe. ZAKA VC aims to provide capital and strategic support to promising startups, helping them navigate the early stages of growth and maximize their potential.
Year of Inception: 2009
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed
Focus: Technology
Notable Portfolio: Assetario, Picogrid, SurgLogs, Segron, Around
Credo Ventures is a venture capital firm that specialize in early-stage investments in Central and Eastern Europe. With a mission to identify and support outstanding technology founders from the region, Credo Ventures aims to help these entrepreneurs achieve global success. Their investment strategy focuses on providing funding to early-stage companies, with investments ranging up to EUR 5 million.
Year of Inception: 2019
Stage: Pre Seed, Seed, Series A
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: Powerful Medical, PlaceSense, Reado
Zero Gravity Capital is a prominent venture capital fund based in Slovakia that specializes in fueling early-stage innovations. With a focus on supporting startups and entrepreneurs, they invest in companies with high growth potential. Zero Gravity Capital actively participates in events like hackathons and workshops to foster innovation and provide support to the startup ecosystem.
Year of Inception: 2018
Stage: Seed
Focus: FinTech, InsurTech, Big Data
Notable Portfolio: Velaris, Ctrl Alt, Ondato, Monite, Tapline
365.fintech is a boutique venture capital firm based in Bratislava, Slovakia. Founded in 2018, their primary focus is on providing financing and support to seed-stage fintech startups in the broader Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region and the Baltics. 365.fintech distinguishes itself by offering operational and strategic support to its portfolio companies. They aim to create potential synergies between startups, partners, and the banking sector, fostering innovation and disruption of legacy infrastructure and distribution models in the fintech industry.
Year of Inception: 2014
Stage: Seed, Series A
Focus: Deep Tech
Notable Portfolio: Diagnose.me, Excalibur, GreenWay, Invesdor, Minty
Neulogy Ventures is a venture capital firm that is committed to helping visionary founders at the early stages of company formation and growth. Neulogy Ventures invests in deeptech innovations and moonshot ideas that push the boundaries of technology, climate, and health. They provide financial support, strategic guidance, and business development assistance to their portfolio companies.
Year of Inception: 2019
Stage: Series A, Series B
Focus: Sector Agnostic
Notable Portfolio: SEC Technologies, AgeVolt, Nexineo, Nettle.ai
Venture to Future Fund is a venture capital fund based in the CEE region that aims to fill the market gap by providing capital and quasi-capital financing for small and high-tech companies in their growth stages. The fund is a joint initiative of the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, and the Slovak Investment Holding. They are primarily interested in investing in SMEs with a viable product and paying customers, focusing on companies based in Slovakia or Europe.
Year of Inception: 2014
Stage: Series B, Series C
Focus: Information Technologies, Agriculture, Retail, Telecommunication, Education
Notable Portfolio: Seyfor, Revolgy, Sanagro, Terno, Phase
Sandberg Capital is a venture capital and private equity firm that specializes in equity investments in small and medium-sized companies in the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, with a particular focus on Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The firm aims to provide strategic guidance and support to its portfolio companies, helping them expand internationally and enhance their service offerings.
Year of Inception: 2018
Stage: Seed, Series A, Series B, Series C
Focus: FinTech
Notable Portfolio: Agro.Club, FinCompare, Twisto, goUrban
Elevator Ventures is a corporate venture capital entity of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) that specializes in direct early-stage and growth investments in fintechs and related enabling technologies in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). As a strategic investor, Elevator Ventures leverages RBI Group's expertise, network, and corporate strength to support promising scale-ups in expanding across the CEE region and beyond.
Closing Thoughts on Venture Capitalist Funds in Slovakia
The startup ecosystem in Slovakia has made significant progress in recent years, however, challenges such as a shortage of IT talent and limited access to global markets remain. With concerted efforts, including targeted initiatives and continued support from public-private partnerships, Slovakia has the potential to further enhance its startup ecosystem and attract global attention.
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Frequently Asked Questions on Venture Capitalist Funds in Slovakia
How is Slovakia's venture capital and startup ecosystem structured?
Slovakia's venture capital ecosystem has grown steadily since 2016, centered primarily in Bratislava with emerging hubs in Košice and Žilina. Key players include the Slovak Business Agency (SBA), Slovak Investment Holding (SIH), and established VC firms like Neulogy Ventures and Zero Gravity Capital. The ecosystem benefits from Slovakia's strong technical education system and strategic location within the CEE region. Government support comes through the National Holding Fund and EU-backed initiatives. The Slovak Alliance for Innovation Economy (SAPIE) provides additional ecosystem coordination through various programs and events.
What funding options are available for Slovak startups?
Slovak startups can access multiple funding channels: seed funding through the Slovak Business Agency (€50,000-€200,000), angel investments via Slovak Business Angels Network (€200,000-€500,000), and early-stage VC funding (€500,000-€2M). The National Development Fund II provides matching investments. Additional support comes through EU programs and regional development funds. Scale-up funding typically involves international VC partnerships, particularly from Austrian and Czech investors. Corporate venture arms of Slovak companies offer strategic investment opportunities.
Which sectors attract the most investment from Slovak VCs?
Slovak investors show strong preference for technology sectors: IT solutions (particularly cybersecurity and enterprise software), fintech innovations, and digital services. There's significant interest in industrial automation and Industry 4.0 technologies, leveraging Slovakia's manufacturing heritage. Emerging areas include cleantech, biotech, and smart mobility solutions. B2B software companies targeting EU markets attract substantial attention, especially those focusing on digital transformation of traditional industries.
What criteria do Slovak investors use to evaluate startups?
Slovak VCs prioritize teams with strong technical expertise and international scalability potential. Key requirements include clear intellectual property protection, demonstrated market validation, and ability to expand beyond Slovakia. Most investors expect startups to have Slovak company registration and capability to leverage EU funding opportunities. Understanding of both CEE and broader European markets is crucial. ESG considerations are increasingly important, particularly for cleantech and sustainable technology investments.
How can entrepreneurs connect with Slovak investors?
Key networking channels include FutureNow Conference, Startup Awards, and events organized by SAPIE. Accelerators like Perry Talents and Impact Hub provide direct access to investor networks. The Slovak Scientific and Technology Parks facilitate connections between startups and investors. Industry-specific platforms like FinTech Hub Slovakia offer targeted networking opportunities. Many Slovak VCs maintain strong relationships with regional investors, particularly in Austria, Czech Republic, and Hungary, offering potential for cross-border funding rounds.
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