The Recursive’s weekly roundup aims to cover key tech developments across Central and Eastern Europe, as well as the growing impact of CEE-born founders on the global stage. Take a look at the latest news in funding, startup milestones, and emerging trends tied to the region’s innovation potential.
CEE news & deals
Prague-based design studio TRAU is stepping into angel investing. Each year, the studio plans to support up to four startups with investments ranging from USD 25,000 to 50,000, while also helping founders refine their brand strategy. Drawing on its experience, TRAU believes strong design is essential for entering the U.S. market and attracting international investors. Led by Ondřej Jelínek, the team brings expertise from building brands and digital products for companies such as Rohlik Group, Trezor, Together AI, and dozens of other ventures that have collectively raised more than USD 1.6 billion.
Zerops, a Prague-based platform-as-a-service startup rethinking cloud architecture, has secured a €1.7 million seed round led by Gi21 Capital. The new funding will help the company expand its global infrastructure across the U.S. and Asia, speed up product development, and grow its team. The investment will also support Zerops’ expansion into North America and Asia, including scaling its infrastructure in the United States and launching a new data centre in Singapore.
DDD Invoices, a Ljubljana-based company developing API-driven infrastructure for global e-invoicing compliance, has raised a €1.31 million seed round backed by Fil Rouge Capital, 500 Global, and experienced operators from the ERP and e-invoicing space. The company will use the funding to broaden its country coverage, simplify integrations and deployment, and expand its team across product, engineering, and go-to-market functions.
New Deep Tech VC launches
Greek Skybound Venture Capital, a new investment firm founded by George Varvarelis and Thalia Misailidou, has announced a first close of $38 million. The fund is backed significantly by the European Investment Fund through Equifund II, alongside strategic private investors, with the goal of reshaping the Deep Tech ecosystem. Tank Dutkuner also joined the team early on as Principal.
Skybound’s launch brings together two people who have spent years on opposite sides of the startup ecosystem — founder and investor. Varvarelis previously built and exited Augmenta, which was acquired by CNH Industrial for more than $110 million, and recently announced his departure from CNH. Misailidou, meanwhile, made the first investment in Augmenta while serving as Principal at Marathon Venture Capital.
