The fund was co-founded by serial entrepreneur Zdenek Fred Fous and the Czech Impact Hub, member of one of the world’s largest networks dedicated to accelerating purpose-driven entrepreneurs and innovators.
PurposeTech invests in very early stage entrepreneurs who demonstrate a relentless commitment to their vision, global ambition and seek to address some of the most pressing global challenges in health, sustainability, and education.
“More and more founders are motivated by a deep sense of purpose—they want to create a positive, lasting impact. Yet, despite this growing momentum, funding for HealthTech, GreenTech, and EdTech startups in the CEE region, particularly at the pre-seed stage, remains limited. There is a regional bias toward B2B SaaS startups,” said Zdenek Fred Fous, Founder and General Partner at PurposeTech. “Our mission is to support this new wave of founders and seize the emerging opportunities in these sectors. We are the only fund in our region with this dedicated focus.”
Founded in February 2023, PurposeTech has already reviewed over 1,100 startups and made its first five investments. Headquartered in Prague, the firm maintains a physical presence across seven countries in the CEE region. Despite a challenging fundraising environment, the fund was oversubscribed and plans to invest in 10 more startups over the next 12 to 18 months.
“Investing in scalable, sustainable solutions is essential for creating a healthier, greener, and more resilient future. Over the past three years, our members have raised more than €360 million, showcasing the incredible potential of purpose-driven innovation but also the pressing need for greater investment. At PurposeTech, we are proud to address the funding gap for essential startups shaping the future of the CEE region, leveraging the strength of the Impact Hub Network, which boasts 40+ locations just in Europe,” said Gabriela Gandel, PurposeTech Advisory Board member and former CEO of Impact Hub Global.
