Techstars | All things startup in Warsaw №167

Techstars | All things startup in Warsaw №167Welcome to Warsaw’s go-to newsletter for startup news and events! A quick review of last week’s highlights and must-attend events. Got news or an event to share? Let us know—we’d love to feature it!
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Techstars | All things startup in Warsaw №167
Welcome to Warsaw’s go-to newsletter for startup news and events! A quick review of last week’s highlights and must-attend events. Got news or an event to share? Let us know—we’d love to feature it!
piraiee
Jan 18 

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Last week's news
💎 Plain Services Wins Polish Edition of Startup Grind Global Pitch Battle
Plain Services emerged victorious at the 2025 Startup Grind Global Pitch Battle, Poland edition, held on January 16. Competing against over 1,000 startups from 100+ cities worldwide, Plain Services advances to the Europe, LATAM, and Africa Semi-Finals on January 21. Winners at the global stage in Silicon Valley will secure prizes worth up to $4,999, including stage pitches and exhibit opportunities. [date: 2025-01-16] [URL: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/piraiee_startup-grind-warsaw-pitch-battle-2025-activity-7285651302536105985-LWKk] [high impact]
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💎 SMOK Ventures Invests €1.45M in Ukrainian Startup LetsData
SMOK Ventures has invested €1.45M in LetsData, a Ukrainian tech startup specializing in innovative solutions for data analytics. The pre-seed funding will accelerate LetsData’s growth, enhancing its capabilities to expand regionally and globally while strengthening its market position. [date: 2025-01-14] [URL: https://en.ain.ua/2025/01/15/letsdata-raises-16-million-pre-seed/] [medium impact]
💎 Radix Ventures Invests €1.5M in Latvian Naco Technologies to Propel Green Energy Innovations
Radix Ventures has invested €1.5M in Naco Technologies, a Latvian startup specializing in advanced materials for green energy applications. The funding will drive Naco’s development of sustainable technologies, supporting its mission to transform the energy sector with cutting-edge innovations. [date: 2025-01-15] [URL: https://www.radix-vc.com/news/radix-ventures-invests-eu1-5-million-in-naco-technologies-to-propel-green-energy-innovations] [high impact]
💎 Szymon Janiak Acquires Majority Stake in BuyCoffee.to
Szymon Janiak, a venture capital investor and co-founder of czyste3.vc, has taken over the majority stake in BuyCoffee.to, a leading platform for one-time payments supporting internet creators. This strategic move underscores the growing demand for alternative funding solutions for creators. [date: 2025-01-14] [URL: https://biznes.pap.pl/wiadomosci/firmy/szymon-janiak-przejal-wiekszosciowy-pakiet-udzialow-w-buycoffee] [medium impact]
💎 Huge Thing and PFR Ventures Open Applications for CVC Academy and Sector-Agnostic Acceleration Program
In partnership with PFR Ventures, Huge Thing has launched the second edition of the CVC Academy and its sector-agnostic acceleration program. The CVC Academy trains corporate representatives in venture capital strategies, including investment planning and decision-making processes. Simultaneously, the acceleration program supports scientists and technical founders transitioning high-potential, research-based innovations to the market with tailored mentorship and readiness tools. Both initiatives aim to foster innovation and drive impactful growth in Poland’s startup ecosystem. [date: 2025-01-13] [URL: https://hugething.vc/] [high impact]
💎 U.S. Fact Sheet on AI and National Security
The White House released a statement emphasizing AI’s role in security and economic strength. The U.S. aims to maintain leadership in global AI while countering adversaries’ misuse, including WMD development and mass surveillance. [date: 2025-01-13] [URL: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/13/fact-sheet-ensuring-u-s-security-and-economic-strength-in-the-age-of-artificial-intelligence/] [global significance]
💎 Infoshare Startup Contest Offers €20,000 Prize for Tech4Good Solutions
Infoshare invites seed and early-stage startups with tech4good solutions to participate in its pitching competition. Winners will secure a €20,000 prize at CEE’s largest tech conference. Applications close on February 28. [date: 2025-01-14] [URL: https://infoshare.pl/conference/startup-contest/] [high impact]
This week's events
📅 Mon 20: MeetUp Odkrywanie i eksperymentowanie w produkcie
💡 Join a free and open meetup focused on digital product management. This session, titled “Discovery and Experimentation in Digital Product Development,” is tailored for Product Managers and those passionate about innovation in the product space. A must-attend for networking and insights! Read more. [Best for Product Managers & Innovators] [FREE]
📅 Tue 21: Mobile Warsaw #93
📱 Kickstart the year in mobile development at Mobile Warsaw #93, hosted at the stunning Paramount office! Featuring talks like “How Did We Ship the First Hospitality App?” by Jonathan Béreyziat, this meetup promises cutting-edge insights and vibrant discussions for mobile developers. RSVP by Tuesday at 3:00 PM! Read more. [Best for Mobile Developers & Tech Enthusiasts] [FREE]
📅 Wed 22: FuckUps Night: Startup Founders & Business Owners
🚀 Ū HUB kicks off the season with FuckUps Night! Hear failure stories and lessons learned from startup founders and business owners across traditional industries. Enjoy networking, pizza, and an inspiring atmosphere. A candid and enriching evening awaits! Read more. [Best for Founders & Entrepreneurs] [FREE]
Thu 23
📅 Thu 23: Needlework Scratch Session w Chmurach
🎶 Needlework Scratch Session returns! This event is perfect for scratching enthusiasts, offering workshops for beginners in the first 1.5 hours and live scratching sessions afterward. Connect with music lovers and share your passion for DJing. A unique blend of learning and fun! Read more. [Best for DJs & Music Enthusiasts] [FREE]
Fri 24