Zaka VC, a venture capital firm founded in 2020 by entrepreneurs Jan Kasper and Peter Zalesak, has launched its first major investment fund aimed at supporting early-stage start-ups in the US and EU.
The fund, which started this month with an initial closing of €10.5 million, has a goal of reaching €15 million. This launch marks a significant expansion for Zaka, which previously focused on the central and eastern European markets (CEE).
“The trigger to create ZAKA was my daughter Valentina who has introduced me to the emerging start-up ecosystem,” Kasper said. “I recognised this opportunity as an exciting way to invest the capital we generated in our family businesses.
Jan Kasper was inspired to create Zaka by his daughter Valentina, who introduced him to the emerging start-up ecosystem. Seeing this as an exciting investment opportunity, he partnered with his friend and fellow entrepreneur Peter Zalesak. Together, they have invested more than €11 million into 55 companies so far.
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Zaka VC sees great potential in the US ecosystem, which Kasper believes offers highly competent and motivated founders and a vast market. Despite higher valuations compared to the CEE region, Kasper finds the investment returns in the US extremely compelling, reinforcing the firm’s decision to enhance its presence there.
