Slovakia has a growing startup ecosystem, and while female founders are still underrepresented in the tech industry, several notable Slovak women in tech are making their mark.
Around a fourth of the startup founders in Slovakia are women. Unlike in the case of the Czech Republic, this is above the European average. The amount is consistent with Pitchbook findings that nearly 25% of VC deals in the country have involved female founders since 2017.
In recent years, several female-led startups have gained traction in Slovakia and beyond. To highlight the importance of Slovak women in tech and their growth potential, The Recursive begins to map the female founders in the country.
This article presents only the beginning of mapping out Slovak women in tech. Please, feel free to contact us with updates or names we should add to the list: [email protected]
13 Slovak women in tech to watch
Healthcare & Wellbeing
Kristina Cahojová - kegg
Based in San Francisco, Kristina Cahojová has been the founder and CEO of kegg, a personalized fertility tracking device, since 2017. Kegg currently expands beyond fertility to provide real-time insights into overall vaginal and cervical health. In 2021, Kristina raised a seed round of $3M. She has a background in International Management and previously worked in companies like eBay, Amazon, and AppyWay.
Veronika Hudzíková - FaceRehab
With a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, Veronika Hudzíková has worked in the IT industry since 2018. In 2019, Veronika founded a digital rehabilitation therapy app for face palsy (paralysis) patients, FaceRehab. Veronika was recognized in Forbes’ list of 30 Under 30 2021 for her dedication to helping people with face health issues. Moreover, she has been simultaneously working at Deutsche Telekom IT Solutions Slovakia for over 6 years.
Michaela Šišková - DNA ERA
After completing a degree in Genetics and a research internship in 2018, Michaela Šišková co-founded a DNA test startup, DNA ERA, providing analysis of athletic, metabolic, and nutritional predispositions. As the company’s CEO, Michaela was included in the 30 Under 30 list by Forbes in 2020.
Enterprise
Mária Virčíková - MATSUKO
Mária Virčíková has a background, lecturing, and research expertise in AI, human-robot interaction, and service robotics. In 2016, Mária established an AI-powered holographic communication startup MATSUKO, revolutionizing virtual company meetings using AR, VR, and XR. As the CEO, she raised €2.5M in seed funding in 2019. Slovak Forbes recognized her work on the 30 Under 30 list.
Gabriela Takáčová - Recombee
Since 2017, Gabriela Takáčová has been the co-founder and CBO of an AI solution, Recombee, delivering recommendation systems for companies to reach KPIs and enterprise turnover. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Gabriela worked in project management, marketing, and finance positions. She was included in the 30 Under 30 list by Forbes Slovakia in 2022.
Finance
Vladimíra Briestenská - Neem
Vladimíra Briestenská is a seasoned entrepreneur with nearly 10 years of experience in the startup and VC ecosystem. With a background in International Relations and human rights, Vladimíra founded Neem, an embedded finance platform for underbanked communities, in 2019. Currently operating in Pakistan, the startup raised a seed investment of $2.5M in 2022. Vladimíra was recognized among the Top Women Entrepreneurs 2022 by Forbes.
Zuzana Vojteková - Papaya POS
With nearly 20 years of experience in senior and management positions, Zuzana Vojteková co-founded Papaya POS in 2015. The startup provides an innovative cash register system for shops, restaurants, hotels, and service providers. Zuzana completed her International Relations degree at the University of Pennsylvania and Central European University.
E-Commerce
Petra Dobrocká - byrd
Petra Dobrocká co-founded and became the CCO of an e-commerce fulfillment platform byrd in 2016. Her company connects merchants with an international warehouse network, enabling retailers to offer advanced shipping options without building their logistics network. In 2022, byrd secured a €53M Series C investment. Petra is based in Austria and studied at a university in Vienna.
Industry-agnostic
Veronika Kolejáková - Better Stack
With a background in Computer Science, Veronika Kolejáková worked as a software developer and engineer at various companies, including Google and Shopify. In 2021, she co-founded a Prague-based startup, Better Stack, that creates DevOps observability solutions combining logs and monitoring with collaboration tools. The startup closed a Series A round of $18.6M in 2022. Veronika was recognized in Forbes Slovakia’s 30 Under 30 in 2021.
Sustainability
Andrea Basilová - Sensoneo
Andrea Basilová has worked in various marketing and PR-related positions for over 10 years before co-founding her startup Sensoneo. Providing smart waste management solutions for cities and businesses, Senoneo raised a venture round of €2M in 2021. Andrea’s vision is to use the power of data to make waste management more efficient, transparent, and sustainable. Her company currently serves customers in over 60 countries.
Veronika Osvaldová - SmartHead
Veronika Osvaldová co-founded her first business 8P Crown, a residential real estate investment company, in 2010. In 2016, she co-founded and became the CEO of SmartHead, a cloud-based software for ESG & sustainability data management, reporting, and stakeholder engagement. Veronika’s mission is to highlight and prepare companies for the rising importance of sustainability in business.
Mobility
Simona Franková - NG Aviation
With a degree in Air Traffic and a background in the industry, Simona Franková co-founded an aeronautical information management solution NG Aviation. Specializing in the digital transition of the civil & military aviation industry, NG Aviation cooperates with companies, airports, and agencies on four continents.
Hospitality & Travelling
Jana Escher - Boataround
Jana Escher has several years of experience in the hospitality industry at a hotel and Booking.com. In 2016, Jana co-founded an online yacht rental platform and raised over €600K in seed funding in 2020. Boataround provides yacht reservations worldwide, from small motor boats to large luxurious yachts. Forbes Slovakia recognized Jana among the top women in startups in 2023.
