Inovo.vc Company Profile

Background

Overview

Inovo.vc is a venture capital firm established in 2012 and headquartered in Warsaw, Poland. The firm specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on pre-seed and seed rounds, with investment sizes ranging from €0.5 million to €4 million. Inovo.vc primarily targets founders from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the CEE diaspora, aiming to support startups with the potential for significant global impact.

Mission and Vision

Inovo.vc's mission is to empower ambitious founders from the CEE region by providing capital and strategic support to scale their startups into global leaders. The firm's vision is to be the preferred venture capital partner for visionary entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and growth within the CEE ecosystem.

Primary Area of Focus

The firm invests across multiple sectors, including B2B SaaS, artificial intelligence, healthtech, marketplaces, and developer tools. This diversified approach enables Inovo.vc to support a wide range of innovative startups with high growth potential.

Industry Significance

Inovo.vc has established itself as a leading venture capital firm in the CEE region, backing over 80 startups and achieving 19 exits. Notable portfolio companies include Booksy, Preply, Packhelp, Tidio, Infermedica, and Spacelift. The firm's strategic investments have contributed to the growth and internationalization of the CEE startup ecosystem.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Early-Stage Investment: Focus on pre-seed and seed-stage investments to support startups at critical growth phases.

• Regional Emphasis: Target founders from Poland and the broader CEE region, including the CEE diaspora.

• Global Scaling: Assist portfolio companies in scaling their operations to achieve global market presence.

Specific Areas of Specialization

• B2B SaaS: Investing in software solutions that address business needs across various industries.

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Supporting startups developing AI-driven products and services.

• HealthTech: Backing innovations in healthcare technology to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

• Marketplaces: Investing in platforms that connect buyers and sellers, facilitating efficient transactions.

• Developer Tools: Supporting tools that enhance software development processes and productivity.

Key Technologies Utilized

Inovo.vc leverages data-driven investment strategies, utilizing proprietary AI-powered sourcing tools to identify high-potential startups early. This approach enables the firm to proactively engage with founders and streamline the investment process.

Primary Markets Targeted

The firm's primary focus is on the CEE region, including Poland, the Balkans, the Baltics, and Ukraine. Inovo.vc also considers investments in the CEE diaspora, aiming to support founders with global ambitions.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Inovo.vc has successfully raised three funds to date:

• Inovo Fund I: Launched in 2012, focusing on early-stage investments in the CEE region.

• Inovo Fund II: Closed in April 2021, with a fund size of €54 million, continuing the firm's commitment to supporting regional startups.

• Inovo Fund III: Closed in June 2023, with a fund size of €109.31 million, marking a significant increase in capital to support a growing portfolio.

Total Funds Raised

The firm has raised a total of approximately €167 million across its three funds, reflecting strong investor confidence in Inovo.vc's strategy and execution.

Notable Investors

Inovo.vc's investors include:

• European Investment Fund (EIF): A European Union institution supporting the development of the European venture capital market.

• International Finance Corporation (IFC): A member of the World Bank Group, focusing on private sector development.

• PFR Ventures: A Polish development fund supporting innovative companies.

• Private Investors: Including successful founders and entrepreneurs who have committed significant capital to the fund.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The capital raised is allocated as follows:

• New Investments: Approximately 50% of the fund is dedicated to new investments in early-stage startups.

• Follow-On Investments: The remaining 50% is reserved for follow-on investments to support the growth and scaling of existing portfolio companies.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Inovo.vc's recent investments include:

• Smartschool: An AI-powered teaching assistant for K-12 math educators, leading a €1.3 million round.

• Gralio.ai (formerly Cloo AI): An AI-powered B2B software comparison platform, leading their pre-seed round.

• Pythagora.ai: Software automating the development of internal tools, co-leading their $4 million seed round.

• Splx.ai: A solution for detecting vulnerabilities in conversational AI, leading their $2 million pre-seed round.

Stages of Clinical Trials or Product Development

As a venture capital firm, Inovo.vc does not engage in clinical trials or product development directly. Instead, it supports portfolio companies at various stages of their development, from pre-seed to growth stages.

Target Conditions

Inovo.vc's portfolio spans multiple sectors, including education technology, artificial intelligence, and software development tools, reflecting a broad investment strategy.

Relevant Timelines for Anticipated Milestones

Specific timelines for portfolio companies vary. Inovo.vc actively monitors and supports its portfolio to achieve key milestones, such as product launches, market expansions, and funding rounds.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Inovo.vc has developed an AI-powered sourcing tool to identify high-potential startups early. This platform analyzes thousands of founder and company profiles weekly, looking for indicators of high-potential startups, such as product launches, education, past exits, and participation in top accelerator programs.

Significant Scientific Methods

The firm's investment strategy is data-driven, utilizing proprietary AI algorithms to assess and identify promising startups. This approach enables Inovo.vc to proactively engage with founders and streamline the investment process.

AI-Driven Capabilities

Inovo.vc's AI-driven sourcing tool enhances its ability to discover and assess startups, providing a competitive edge in the venture capital landscape. This capability allows the firm to identify and engage with high-potential founders before they become widely known.

Leadership Team

Key Executive Profiles

• Tomasz Swieboda: Managing Partner. Tomasz has over 10 years of investment experience, including early-stage investments since 2012. He has a background in financial institutions and has been instrumental in Inovo.vc's growth.

• Michał Rokosz: Partner. Michał has a background in operations and has been involved in scaling businesses globally. He joined Inovo.vc in 2019 and has been pivotal in expanding the firm's portfolio.

• Maciej Małysz: Partner. Maciej has extensive experience in venture capital and has been with Inovo.vc since 2018, focusing on investments in the CEE region.

• Karol Lasota: Partner. Karol joined Inovo.vc in 2021 and has been leading the development of the firm's AI-powered sourcing tool, enhancing its investment strategy.

Leadership Changes

In March 2025, Karol Lasota was promoted to Partner at Inovo.vc, reflecting his significant contributions to the firm's investment strategy and operations.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The venture capital landscape in the CEE region is becoming increasingly competitive, with more investors entering the market and promising startups attracting global attention.