How to generate electricity using a kite? Startups surprise at VC Demo Day during Made in Wrocław
Show us what you’ve got—in three minutes!
Many companies presenting AI-based innovations took to the stage. Among them was the Wrocław-based startup LUPA Labs. “We are building an AI-assisted platform for scientists, where they can conduct research from A to Z,” says Beata Baranowska, co-founder of Lupa Labs.
“I hope to meet other founders here today, especially in the field of AI for science (there are quite a few of us), as well as scientists from Wrocław and Lower Silesia, and investors. Especially now, all conversations about investments are… interesting to me!”
Beata Baranowska – co-founder of Lupa Labs
Apart from LUPA, other startups also had three minutes to present their projects. Among them were:
Galaxia (Smabbler), which stores knowledge in AI memory and prevents sleepwalking, which can improve the accuracy of medical diagnoses;
Neural, which uses AI to locate people or vehicles in hours of CCTV footage, reducing the workload of the police, among others;
Alkai, an AI-based system that acts as a personal assistant in working with social media for creators and advertisers;
Or Wrocław-based NjordEnergy, which converts kite energy into electricity – the first commercial production of kite-powered generators is planned for 2026!
Business stars at Made in Wrocław
Real business stars attended VC Demo Day in 2025. Some were difficult to invite due to their busy schedules. Nevertheless, they joined the event and presented themselves on the Made in Wrocław stage.
“Made in Wrocław is a very important local initiative that brings together all stakeholders in one place to enrich the city’s business potential,” says the renowned Dr. Gabriele Tatzberger, Director of Startup Services at the Vienna Business Agency.
“Wrocław has all the ingredients to build an effective startup ecosystem. There are already many successful startups here. There are also “things to do” when it comes to investment and cooperation with universities, but every city has such problems.”
Gabriele Tatzberger – Director Startup Services, Vienna Business Agency
Jeni Chang, Managing Director of Founder Institute, Global & General Partner at Mercaton Ventures, came to Made in Wrocław straight from Silicon Valley. Her presentation made a huge impression on the audience, as the investor presented a strategy for thinking about the future of one’s own company in an unconventional and intriguing way.
We asked Jeni Chang what Polish entrepreneurs should do to open businesses in the US. Her answer surprised us.
“We shouldn’t ask ‘what’, but ‘why’? And if your answer is ‘for capital’, turn back. We have a lot of capital and it’s easy to get it here, but it takes some effort. If we invest capital in your product, you have to give us something in return. You become an American company, and that comes with obligations to the market you’ve entered. You have to ask yourself whether your product can be easily converted for the American market. Does your customer base here have anything in common with your potential customer base in the United States? If not, it will be difficult for you to attract the attention of investors,”
Jeni Chang – Managing Director Founder Institute, Global & General Partner Mercaton Ventures
“So, the most important question is: since all these American startups are so well equipped, you’re probably not the only one who came up with this innovative idea. So why wouldn’t an American investor choose a US startup? It’s not that they will definitely reject you. It’s about being prepared to answer this question, not only when an investor asks it, but also before you ask it yourself.”
Jeni Chang continues.
Another star of VC Demo Day was Dr. Kamil Pruchnik, Senior Regional Representative for Poland at the European Investment Fund. Dr. Pruchnik explained why it is so important that startups do not “flee Europe.”
“Wrocław has all the necessary elements to be a place where you can develop your startup—a talent pool, visibility, and universities,”
said Dr. Pruchnik.
“When a technology company leaves Europe, its technology leaves with it. If such a startup has been purchased by a non-European investor, it has probably already achieved some success. It probably has high value and employs people who know how to play the startup game. We want these people to stay in Europe, because it’s not just technical expertise, but also knowledge of the startup market. Because what we lack here are people who would invest private capital to support the development of what they know best – startups.”
Dr. Kamil Pruchnik, Senior Regional Representative for Poland European Investment Fund
Stakeholders like it and are hoping for more
“Jeni Chang is an investor who could potentially support our startup ecosystem in Wrocław. I worked to bring her here for 18 months. She looks after startups on the West Coast and is responsible for the entire Silicon Valley on behalf of the Founder Institute. Her experience and comparison of markets that she presented is very valuable to us.”
Edward Mężyk, president of the Oxygen SA group and partner of the Mercaton group.
