HORAIZON Labs

Wrocław’s startup ecosystem is more vibrant than ever, and this year’s VC Demo Day at MADE IN WROCŁAW was a proof of that. The event featured some strong startup pitches and brought together founders, investors, and accelerators. Deeptech is not that forgotten in the startup domain and from what we have heard during the event there is a strong case for it. 12 pitches, interesting takes on USA expansion by Cezar Reszel and Roza Szafranek, a lot conversations about the state of startups in Poland and what is the outlook for 2025. Huge thanks to Paulina Muszyńska and Startup Wroclaw for organizing such a well-executed event – You continue to make Wrocław a strong startup point on the Polish map. Looking forward for the next one! 🌟

Q3 in VC – What’s Up? In recent weeks, two reports came to light – the Dealroom.co Q3 Global VC Report and the PFR Ventures x Inovo.vc Polish VC Report. Is there a macro trend? Yes, and it’s still Generative AI. With funding reaching $26 billion, it is currently the best-funded frontier tech in the world. The most funded category globally is Enterprise Software, which includes almost all GenAI startups. Some might think that $72 billion is a huge quarterly funding number; however, this was actually the weakest quarter in four years in terms of funding volume. Another macro trend: Low early-stage funding. Both reports indicate that early-stage funding is not looking strong, with record-low numbers for both pre-seed and seed rounds in Poland and globally. Does this mean it’s a bad time to seek funding? Not exactly, at least for the Polish ecosystem. Around 250 million PLN was allocated to the first four funds from PFR Ventures, set to be deployed in the first quarter of 2025. This fresh capital injection targets early-stage startups from pre-seed to seed+, which should help close the funding gap. Overall, there’s often a downturn before a boom, and this data might just be the storm before the sunrise. 

One of the must-attend events in Warsaw’s startup ecosystem is Emerging Founders, and this October's edition did not disappoint!  As always HORAIZON Labs was present at the Google for Startups Campus and energy of the participants did not disappoint.   The event was packed with great discussions with founders, ecosystem enthusiasts, and like-minded innovators. From the Startup Standup to the very honest panel talks, the evening was filled with valuable lessons for startups trying to raise their first rounds.  A huge shoutout to the incredible organizers – Aleksandra Haber, Jacek Ratajczak, and the entire Emerging Founders team! Each event continues to raise the bar, and we can’t wait for the next one. #startups #EmergingFounders #VCfunding #WarsawEcosystem #HorizonLabs 

One of the must-attend events in Warsaw’s startup ecosystem is Emerging Founders, and this October's edition did not disappoint!  As always HORAIZON Labs was present at the Google for Startups Campus and energy of the participants did not disappoint.   The event was packed with great discussions with founders, ecosystem enthusiasts, and like-minded innovators. From the Startup Standup to the very honest panel talks, the evening was filled with valuable lessons for startups trying to raise their first rounds.  A huge shoutout to the incredible organizers – Aleksandra Haber, Jacek Ratajczak, and the entire Emerging Founders team! Each event continues to raise the bar, and we can’t wait for the next one. #startups #EmergingFounders #VCfunding #WarsawEcosystem #HorizonLabs 

Uff, co to była za edycja! Za każdym razem myślimy, że już lepiej być nie może, a potem zbieramy szczęki z podłogi! W dniu wydarzenia wysmażyliście sold out, co dało nam ponad 100 głodnych wiedzy uczestników 🥩 Gorące oklaski dla naszych prelegentów, którzy rozgrzali scenę i publiczność! 👏 Karolina Szulecka Streer z Ferrari 👏 Maciej Jarzab z HORAIZON Labs, 👏 dzięki partnerstwu #BeefUp z Pitch Me Baby ⚡ również dwóm przedstawicielom startupów 🤝 Networkingowa atmosfera aż wrzała, mamy nadzieję, że z relacji, które stworzyliście w D9space ugotujecie coś smakowitego! 👩🍳 A jeśli ktoś czuje niedosyt - BeefUp #7 już 5.12! Stay tuned, damy znać, jak ruszy oficjalna sprzedaż wejściówek! 🎟️ Zostawiamy krótką fotorelację, na pamiątkę i na zachętę 😏 Uczestnicy, dajcie znać w komentarzu, która z atrakcji na tej edycji smakowała Wam najbardziej i czy któryś z networkingowych planów może już się smaży? 👀 Dziękujemy naszym partnerom i sponsorom: Organizatorzy: Silesian Startup Foundation | WebMakers Software House | co.brick & Benchy IT Sponsorzy strategiczni: PKO Bank Polski Sponsor: Geco One Partnerzy biznesowi: Agencja Kuźnia | Browar Głubczyce S.A.| Leśniewski Borkiewicz Kostka & Partners | Evento | ON Lemon Partnerzy ekosystemowi: inQUBE Uniwersytecki Inkubator Przedsiębiorczości | Startup Wroclaw | Aula Polska | Emerging Founders | Pitch Me Baby ⚡ Partnerzy medialni: MamStartup | Business HUB | SlaskiBiznes | 4programmers | My Company Polska

💰 Revolut eyes a record +$40 billion valuation. 🏚 Klarna planning a NYSE IPO. 💣 The EU takes on Apple for anti-competitive digital practices. The takeaway? Europe's tech landscape is dynamic, with large companies facing exciting opportunities and significant challenges. #europeanfintech #startupchallenges #bigtechregulation #HoraizonLabs #VC

Last week's VC news brings exciting developments from the US, Europe, and Ukraine! ️ 💸 Silicon Valley VC heavyweight, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), raises a whopping $7.3 billion for its various strategic venture areas, demonstrating continued investor confidence in the tech industry. 🏎 Former F1 Champion Nico Rosberg enters the VC game. His new firm, Rosberg Ventures, announces a $30 million first close for its €75 million Fund of Funds. This fund acts as a super investor, connecting European capital with promising global startups. 💪 Ukraine launches a program to help Ukrainian defense startups secure their first investments. This initiative has the potential to significantly strengthen Ukraine's defense technology sector. #venturecapital #investment #tech #europe #ukraine #a16 #innovation #startups 

The first edition of HORAIZON Signals puts the spotlight on two major news on the European VC landscape.    Europe's tech sector is getting a major boost! Here is why:   💶EIC structuring a €1 billion VC fund that will specifically target later-stage growth startups in Spain.    🇫🇷Temasek's growing focus on Europe (new Parisian office and $18 billion investment target), shows strong momentum for European tech.    #europeantech #venturecapital #spain #investment #temasek #emea 

We're thrilled to announce the launch of HORAIZON Signals, our brand-new weekly newsletter designed to keep you on top of all things Venture Capital!  Every week, we'll be curating the hottest VC news with insightful articles - delivered straight to you. Stay ahead of the curve and gain valuable insights into the ever-evolving VC landscape.  Subscribe today to receive the first Signal’s edition next week! ✅Subscribe on LinkedIn https://lnkd.in/dxTsBdSK #venturecapital #startup #investing #newsletter #HoraizonLabs #HoraizonSignals 

Calling all innovators!   At HORAIZON Labs, we're on the hunt for passionate early-stage tech startup founders to join our portfolio. We provide the support you need to turn your ideas into reality.    Do you have what it takes? Get in touch!    #VC #Startups #EarlyStage #Tech #Founders #Investment