Jana Sedláková, a seasoned lawyer and entrepreneur, joins Seen Aquin Avila and Petr Jahn as the new General Partner of StartGuide VC, a Czech venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in B2B, smart tech, and healthcare. With a diverse background spanning law, tax, M&A, and even coffee roasting, Sedláková wants to infuse new energy into her career by setting aside the “boring” aspects of law and focusing on the dynamic world of startups.
Intrigued by StartGuide’s stated goal to invest up to 30% of its new fund (currently in fundraising) in startups led by women, we talked to Sedláková about her plans for achieving that vision.
Moving from “boring” law to startup innovation
Sedláková’s path to the venture capital world is rooted in her work as a lawyer. Since founding her law firm in 2016, she has been committed to helping tech companies—from traditional industries like automotive to newly-emerging startups—navigate complex legal landscapes. For Sedláková, this experience underscored the vital role of technology and digitalization across industries, providing a strong foundation for her shift toward the startup ecosystem.
“I started the law firm in 2016, and from the beginning, we focused on tech companies. Not only tech companies as in software development but any company that needed to buy, build, or had anything to do with software. So even like older companies, for example, in automotive, they are very heavily tech-focused.”
Her commitment to tech-driven companies stemmed from her interactions with both sides of the ecosystem—large corporations dependent on digital infrastructure and nimble startups full of ambition. She says, “The startup ecosystem, for me, brings more joy. These people are still eager to learn, even if they are seasoned entrepreneurs. For them, every second counts, every decision matters, and that is what actually makes me love my job at this point.”
StartGuide and their hands-on approach to supporting founders
Joining StartGuide was a natural next step for Sedláková, who had previously collaborated with the firm in a legal capacity. She was drawn not only to StartGuide’s focus on early-stage tech-driven companies but also to the partners’ hands-on approach to venture capital. Rather than simply providing funding, StartGuide takes an active mentorship role, often becoming a part of the operations for the portfolio companies.
“Many VCs claim they support their startups beyond capital, but for StartGuide, it’s genuinely the case. Our team becomes part of the startup’s journey. We mentor founders on critical decisions around sales, marketing, and operations—all things that can make or break a young company.”
Sedláková emphasizes that her legal background plays a role in her approach. “Law firms aren’t cheap, and legal services are hardly ever an investment—they’re usually just a cost, an expense. So I actually juggle the right amount of ‘we’re legally safe,’ but we’re not paying for something we don’t need. That is a struggle.”
With experience founding eight companies across various industries, Sedláková is well-versed in the trials and rewards of entrepreneurship. Each of her ventures, from legal advisory to coffee roasting, embodies her commitment to creating value through innovation and pragmatism. “At the core, every business faces the same challenges: attracting clients, managing costs, and building a brand. These are universal struggles, from an agency to a SaaS business to anything,” she observes. “Where do I get clients? is the biggest issue of every startup.”
Looking to invest in more female-founded or managed startups
One of Sedláková’s primary goals at StartGuide is to bolster diversity in the startup ecosystem, particularly by supporting female founders. She explains that StartGuide has committed up to 30% of its new fund to female-led teams, though profitability and potential for growth remain the ultimate criteria.
“We would like to invest in female founders, but it’s not a hard commitment to do it. There are very few female founders, and a startup has to be profitable and has to return the investment to the investor. But in case we do run into two startups that are the same, we will—up to 30% of the fund—go to female-founded startups. It means that a woman is in the founding team or is a senior member of the startup.”
In her books, supporting female entrepreneurs goes beyond mere funding—it’s a form of impact investing. By helping to address gender inequality in entrepreneurship, she aims to contribute to a more equitable business landscape and encourage more women to pursue executive and entrepreneurial roles. However, she acknowledges the complexities of achieving these goals in an environment where societal norms still discourage women from fully embracing careers in tech and business.
CEE needs more financial education to build better startups
Looking ahead, Sedláková is keen to see StartGuide play a role in addressing gaps in Central Europe’s startup ecosystem. One of the main areas she identifies is financial and business education, particularly for founders with strong technical backgrounds but limited business acumen.
“We really need to work on financial education. For a lot of startups, they have a wonderful business idea, but it’s very difficult for them to actually run the business. Those are two completely different things. So your product idea or your software idea doesn’t immediately make you a good entrepreneur. I would like to see more education focused on financial education and business education.”
By focusing on mentorship and education, Sedláková hopes StartGuide can provide a solid foundation for startups in the region, equipping them with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the challenges of early-stage growth.
