Female Founders & Investors Aperitivo – Insights from our Side Event at the Engaged Investments Conference

More than 50 ambitious female founders and investors gathered in Prague for an energizing evening during the Engaged Investments Conference, on 22 October. The event, organised by WomenINvestEU, Rockaway Ventures and Lumus Investment Collective, created a space to connect and engage in meaningful conversations on investing and building companies. 

The event kicked off with a panel discussion featuring Camilla Sievers (Tech Investor at i5growth, two-time founder, Forbes 30 Under 30), Sandra Golbreich (General Partner at BSV Ventures, co-founder of Baltic Sandbox Accelerator, and Steering Member of WomenINvestEU) and moderator Lucia Cerchlan (Co-Founder of LUMUS Investment Collective and Angel Investor).

The panel highlighted several key learnings, starting with the collective responsibility to strengthen the startup ecosystem. According to the speakers, regional policies need to better support tech transfer, with institutions such as pension funds playing a more active role in backing innovation through universities. Stronger infrastructure unlocks more opportunity for founders and investors alike.

On the partnership potential between Angel Investors and VC funds and the need for a risk appetite 

Angel Investors were celebrated as crucial actors in early-stage capital. The speakers highlighted how these investors often complete rounds, bringing in not only capital but also deep sectorial knowledge, experience as founders and new perspectives that accelerate growth. Increasing the number of women investing remains a priority, so that diverse expertise can reach the companies that need it the most.

Regarding the potential of Angel Investors to collaborate with Venture Funds, the speakers encouraged thoughtful evaluation to look for true alignment and long-term partnership potential. 

Angels should try to understand the fund’s Limited Partner (LP) base, examine the qualifications of Partners against what they invest in and check whether the portfolio reflects the stated investment thesis. For instance, scientific competence is especially relevant in deep tech and life sciences. As a whole, the panel highlighted that there are benefits for Angels in co-investing with funds, namely reducing due diligence costs.

The panel closed with pragmatic guidance for aspiring investors, emphasizing that Venture is an asset class that requires a clear risk appetite and patience for long investment horizons. It helps for investors to stay honest about whether they enjoy the inherent uncertainty of early stage investing. 

After the panel, participants stuck around for an aperitivo and networking cocktail, exchanging thoughts and forging new connections with like-minded peers. The evening made one thing clear, when women play an active role by investing and building companies, the entire ecosystem becomes stronger.

Find the full album of pictures from the event here.

WomenINvestEU is proud to have organised this panel and to have counted on the insights of these leading gender-conscious investors. Find out more about our goals and membership criteria here and complete our  Call for Expressions of Interest  form if you would like to become a part of the network.