Thanks to everyone who came out to Startup Grilling 2025 at Vlny Štvanice – whether you came to hear sharp pitches, make new business connections, explore potential deals, or just catch up with great people from the ecosystem by the fire — we’re really glad you were there.
🎤 What happened?
This time, it wasn’t founders pitching… it was investors.
Our Reverse Pitch lineup brought honest, direct energy to the stage — no slides, just real talk:
Peter Lasinger – Managing Partner, 3VC (AT)
Laurent Hengesch – Founding Partner, Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital (LU)
Zdenek Fred Fous – General Partner, PurposeTech (CZ)
Ondřej Lipold – Newest Partner at Tensor Ventures (CZ)
Huge thanks to our founder jury for the thoughtful questions and no-bullshit approach:
Anežka Svobodová – Co-Founder, ClimbLifePeter
Varga – Founder & CEO, Lafluence & Trendin
Tomáš Malovec – Founder & CEO, Born Digital
– Tomáš Malovec (Born Digital)
📸 Photos from the event
We’re working on the full gallery, but you can check out a sneak peek here: 👉 [PHOTO GALLERY]
Tag us on LinkedIn or Instagram: @StartupKitchenCEE & use #StartupGrilling
💛 Powered by our partners
A huge thank you to our event partners for making this evening possible:
💎 Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital – Luxembourg-based VC investing in ambitious founders across Europe, focused on purpose-driven innovation and long-term partnerships.
💎 3VC – backing fast-growing tech companies from DACH & CEE with a strong focus on execution and product excellence.
💎 PurposeTech – Czech pre-seed fund investing in solutions for health, climate, and education/future of work.
💎 Tensor Ventures – deep tech VC supporting founders building breakthrough technologies in AI, robotics, and beyond.
✨ What’s next?
We’re taking a short break over the summer – no events until August 14, when we return with another open-air networking evening (announcement coming soon!).
After that, we’re gearing up for an exciting fall:
→ More educational formats
→ A little more talk about impact – but the kind that matters
→ And definitely more strong gatherings, great people, and Startup Kitchen energy
Stay cool & see you soon,
Domi, Kate & Tom
Startup Kitchen Team
🔥 Startup Grilling 2025 – Reversed Pitch Edition
📅 June 12, 2025 | 🕕 17:30–22:00 | 📍 Vlny Štvanice, Prague
Forget what you know about pitching.
At Startup Grilling, investors are the ones in the hot seat – literally.
This is the 3rd edition of our iconic summer BBQ event where the tables turn:
investors pitch to a jury of startup founders, while the grill is sizzling and the drinks are flowing.
📍 New Location: Vlny Štvanice
This year, we’re moving to a new venue right by the river, next to Prague’s startup hub – Karlín.
Vlny Štvanice offers a laid-back summer atmosphere perfect for grilling, chilling, and serious networking.
🍖 Who’s getting grilled this year?
We’re excited to announce the first confirmed investors who’ll pitch on stage while handling the flames:
Peter Lasinger – Managing Partner, 3VC (AT)
Laurent Hengesch – Founding Partner, Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital (LU)
Zdenek Fred Fous – General Partner, PurposeTech (CZ)
Ondřej Lipold – Newest Partner at Tensor Ventures (CZ)
👩⚖️ Meet the Jury
This year’s investors will be grilled by a jury of hands-on startup founders:
Anežka Svobodová – Co-Founder, ClimbLife
Peter Varga – Founder & CEO, Lafluence & Trendin
Tomáš Malovec – Founder & CEO, Born Digital
Expect direct questions about strategy, traction, and real execution. No sugar-coating.
💥 What’s on the menu?
🔥 Reverse Pitch stage
🧑💼 Curated guest list of 150+ founders, investors & ecosystem leaders
🍹 Drinks & snacks (including veggie options)
🏐 Beach volleyball
🪵 Fire pits with marshmallows & Czech-style sausages
✨ Big summer vibes & last networking before the break
🔥 PROGRAM:
17:30 – Doors Open
18:10 – Welcome
18:15 – Introduction of Jury & Format
18:20 – 🔥 VC 1 Grilling & Jury Q&A: Ilavska Vuillermoz Capital
18:28 – 🔥 VC 2 Grilling & Jury Q&A: 3VC
18:35 – 🔥 VC 3 Grilling & Jury Q&A: PurposeTech
18:40 – 🔥 VC 4 Grilling & Jury Q&A: Tensor Ventures
18:47 – Closing
18:50 – Food, Networking, Beach Volleyball
🍴 What else is available on-site?
A food truck offering warm meals and extra snacks for purchase throughout the evening
Bar service with drinks available all night
A laid-back summer vibe by the river – stay as long as you like and make the most of it
🎟️ Tickets
First wave of early bird tickets ends May 30
👉 Get your ticket now