JIC Launches €16.3M Fund to Back Early-Stage Deep-Tech Startups…

Team S · 2026-04-15T15:08:06.000Z

Czech innovation agency JIC has launched a €16.3 million venture fund, JIC Ventures, aimed at supporting pre-seed and seed-stage deep-tech startups across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), addressing a critical funding gap in the region’s early-stage ecosystem. The fund has already secured over €13 million in commitments and plans to invest in approximately 20 startups over the next four years, with individual investments of up to €1 million. JIC Ventures is focused on deep tech, SaaS, and advanced technology sectors, particularly in areas where early-stage capital remains scarce. Unlike many regional funds that prioritize later-stage investments, this initiative is designed to support founders at the earliest stages, where access to funding is often limited. The fund is backed by a diverse group of around 40 limited partners, including industrial real estate giant CTP, Czech banking leader Česká spořitelna, and investor Jan Barta, along with a mix of entrepreneurs, institutions, and even unconventional contributors such as the Diocese of Brno. JIC’s model combines public and private capital, with the South Moravian Region also participating as an investor, reflecting a hybrid approach aimed at strengthening the regional innovation ecosystem. What sets JIC Ventures apart is its deep integration with university ecosystems and startup incubation programs, allowing it to source high-potential startups directly from research environments rather than relying solely on market deal flow. With more than 20 years of experience supporting over 1,300 startups including companies like Kiwi.com and Y Soft JIC is now scaling its impact by transitioning from small co-investments to leading funding rounds and accelerating deal execution timelines. As Central and Eastern Europe continues to emerge as a growing hub for deep-tech innovation, the launch of JIC Ventures signals a broader shift toward building stronger early-stage funding infrastructure, enabling founders to scale globally without relocating to more mature ecosystems.

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JIC Launches €16.3M Fund to Back Early-Stage Deep-Tech Startups… | Newnex