Over the course of 6 practical workshops, you’ll gain the skills, confidence, and investor-ready mindset to:
Each session is led by mentors and investors who have closed hundreds of deals and helped build successful companies. No theory – just real insights, honest feedback, and direct answers to questions founders are often afraid to ask.
The program ends with a final pitch session, where you’ll get constructive feedback from leading investors.
This is a selective program. Applications will be reviewed by Startup Kitchen and the Prague Innovation Institute.
| Date | Workshop | Mentors |
|---|---|---|
| September 9, 2025 3PM-6PM PRAGUE | STARTUP ESSENTIALS: INCORPORATION, VC KNOW-HOW & THE WINNING PITCH | Tomáš Lapáček (Prague Innovation Institute) Tomáš Cironis (Startup Kitchen) Ondřej Lipold (Tensor Ventures) |
| September 16, 2025 3PM-6PM PRAGUE | STRUCTURE & STRATEGY: BUSINESS PLANS, IP & FOUNDERS’ DEALS | Baier Jaroslav (HAVEL & PARTNERS) Petra Stupková (Legitas) Jan Krahulík (Depo Ventures) |
| September 23, 2025 3PM-6PM PRAGUE | OWNERSHIP & PRESENCE: ESOP, TEAM MOTIVATION & SELF-PRESENTATION | Josef Bouchal (HAVEL & PARTNERS) Kateřina Syslová (Startup Kitchen) |
| September 30, 2025 3PM-6PM PRAGUE | CUSTOMERS & GROWTH: PRODUCT-MARKET FIT, B2B SALES & AI STRATEGIES | Lucie Krulichova (Motionshift) Tomáš Blažek (Raiffeisenbank) Alan Pátek Fabik |
| October 7, 2025 3PM-6PM PRAGUE | FUNDING THE FUTURE: INVESTMENT OPTIONS, CONVERTIBLES & EQUITY DEALS | Ivo Denemark (CzechInvest) Jan Davídek (Purple Ventures) Matej Luhový (Presto Tech Horizons | Presto Ventures) |
| October 14, 2025 3PM-5PM PRAGUE | GOING GLOBAL: SCALING STRATEGIES, DACH MARKETS & U.S. EXPANSION | Jan Čurn (Apify) Štefan Šurina (Eldison) Zuzana Doležalová (Vienna Business Agency) |
| October 14, 2025 6PM-9PM PRAGUE | DEMO DAY LITE: INVESTOR FEEDBACK & FOUNDER READINESS | |
| October 21, 2025 9AM-5PM PRAGUE | TECH HAPPY HOURS: Best of the best gets to pitch on stage at our all-day startup conference. |
The workshops build on each other in terms of content and knowledge. To gain comprehensive know-how, active participation in all sessions is required.
The participation fee is 4 990 CZK per startup + VAT (6 037.90 CZK in total) and includes access to all 6 workshops, materials, expert mentoring, and the final investor feedback session.
Spaces are limited – apply now and secure your spot in this selective program.
The goal of the opening workshop is to introduce founders to the specifics of the venture capital industry and the fundamentals of negotiating with investors. The session will also cover the risks and opportunities associated with VC investment, as well as the common traps that await every scaling founder.
Introduction to the Academy
Role of the Prague Innovation Institute in supporting and connecting startups with relevant investors, why PII and Startup Kitchen created this academy, and who it is for (overview of innovation support, program structure, and startup matchmaking opportunities).
Explanation of the workshop format and reflection homework for participants.
Speakers: Tomáš Lapáček (Prague Innovation Institute), Tomáš Cironis (Startup Kitchen)
Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital
Mentor: Ondřej Lipold (Tensor Ventures)
How to Build a Great Pitch Deck
A pitch deck is your startup’s business card – it determines whether an investor will engage or pass. This workshop teaches you how to create a pitch deck that captures investor attention.
Mentor: Ondřej Lipold (Tensor Ventures)
This workshop focuses on building a realistic business plan, setting measurable KPIs, and adjusting them over time. It also covers intellectual property protection as a key asset for any startup
Business Planning & Financial Strategy
Mentor: Jan Krahulík (Depo Ventures)
IP Protection: How to Protect Your Ideas and Innovation
Partner of the workshop: Plus inovace
Mentor: Petra Stupková (Legitas)
How to Draft a Shareholders’ Agreement (SHA)
Mentor: Jaroslav Baier (HAVEL & PARTNERS)
This session will explore how to design ESOPs to motivate key talent and develop founder confidence in public speaking and pitching.
ESOPs and Team Incentives
Mentor: Josef Bouchal (HAVEL & PARTNERS)
Founder Pitching & Self-Presentation
Mentor: Kateřina Syslová (Startup Kitchen)
This workshop will help founders get their product into the hands of real users – and eventually corporate clients. You’ll learn how to identify and target your ideal customers, craft effective messaging, validate your product-market fit, and design a go-to-market strategy that works. The session will also explore how to sell into corporations and use AI tools to boost marketing productivity.
Getting First Customers & Product Marketing
Mentor: Lucie Krulichova (Motionshift)
B2B Sales, How to sell to Corporates
Mentor: Tomáš Blažek (Raiffeisenbank), Michal Plzák (Raiffeisenbank)
AI & Productivity
Mentor: Alan Pátek Fabik (Asistenti.online)
This workshop prepares founders for funding discussions and negotiations with investors.
Startup Funding Options
Mentor: Ivo Denemark (CzechInvest)
First Investment, Convertible Notes
Mentor: Jan Davídek (Purple Ventures)
Large Equity Investment – How to Prepare and Negotiate
Mentor: Matej Luhový (Presto Tech Horizons | Presto Ventures)
This session prepares founders for startup growth and international expansion, with emphasis on founder presentation.
Growth Strategies for Startups
Mentor: Jan Čurn (Apify)
Expanding into the DACH Region
Mentor: Zuzana Doležalová (Vienna Business Agency)
Legal & Regulatory Aspects of Expanding to the U.S.
Mentor: Štefan Šurina (Eldison)
The last day of program concludes with startup pitch presentations in front of a panel of investors. The goal is to provide participants with valuable feedback from both investors and peers, and assess their readiness for real fundraising conversations.
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