Author: Marcin Popiel

Black Pearls VC invests PLN 3m (€ 720k) in iGRID - a startup using industrial internet of things (IIOT) and fog computing technologies for the needs of the energy industry. In 2017, iGRID tested its solutions on the network infrastructure of Tauron Distribution, as part of the ScaleUP Pilot Maker program. Thanks to the promising effects of the pilot, TAURON and iGRID signed an agreement to continue cooperation in 2018 at the end of last year. iGRID is a company that creates IIOT solutions dedicated for energy distributors, industrial energy consumers and photovoltaics. Thanks to the proprietary technology of wireless sensors and distributed computing architecture (fog computing), iGRID provides operators of power grids and owners of photovoltaic installations with accurate and up-to-date data on the condition of transmission infrastructure and energy generation efficiency. The founder of iGRID is Ryszard Bednarz, who,

After nearly two and a half years, Black Pearls VC completed the investment in PHK, a company working - under Hem Poland brand - in the field of industrial hemp cultivation and processing. As the result of the sales of PHK shares, Black Pearls VC received several times return on invested capital.   Owned by PHK, HemPoland has been the first private entity in Poland to obtain a license and commence cultivation and processing of hemp. The company produces hemp extracts of exceptional quality in terms of guaranteed performance of CBD, cannabinoid, terpenoid and flavonoid parameters. During the investment, Hem Poland introduced a series of Cannabi Gold products - dietary supplements based on golden fiber hemp extracts with a high content of cannabinoids to the European markets (including in the Netherlands and Switzerland). The company also started cooperation with a strategic distributor in

Autenti, a platform for approving documents and signing contracts online, will use Blockchain technology for additional security of data and operations credibility level increase. In introduction of technology of distributed ledger, as well as dynamic development of the company in areas of sales and marketing, Autenti will be supported with PLN 6.3 million (EUR 1.5M) funding by Black Pearls VC and Innovation Nest. Autenti is a platform for approving documents and signing contracts online. The unique combination of innovative application of electronic signature, easy access to the cutting-edge technology, and legal basis of national and European law regulations, allows entrepreneurs to escape the necessity of signing printed agreements by hand and exchange their physical copies by the involved entities. It’s the first solution of this kind in Poland and one of a few in Europe. In 2016, global market of electronic

Black Pearls VC will help FindAir team develop their intelligent solutions for asthma monitoring and control. The preliminary stage of cooperation includes preparation of the research and development project and analysis necessary for its implementation. - Support at this stage will allow us to fine-tune the key elements of the project and to summarize the work to date - says Tomasz Mikosz, Business Head, FindAir. - This partnership is an important step forward that will help us prepare launching FindAir solutions to the market. The involvement of the Black Pearls VC in FindAir can reach as much as PLN 3 million. The project is funded by the Black Pearls VC LQT Fund II (LQT - Life Quality Technologies). - The design of the LQT Fund II gives us the opportunity to support startups in the R&D process, responding to the real needs

"Venture funding into Central & Eastern Europe is on the rise. But the region needs more than capital to excel." - writes Ewa Treitz in her medium.com blogpost focusing on CEE region's ecosystem properties, chances, and the need of greater connection to the global ecosystem. READ

Foundation for Polish Science, Leon Kozminski Academy and Black Pearls VC  will support Polish startups that have developed unique, advanced technologies with great market potential. Creation of new investment fund will be they key to do it. The model of cooperation between the institutions of science and business implies active searching for investment projects in the academic and scientific community,  providing them with management support, investment capital and assistance in entering international markets. The concept will be realized by establishing a new investment fund focused on Deep Tech projects based on unique, scalable and difficult to copy technologies developed by Polish startups. With potential success of application to the Polish Development Fund Starter Program and participation of private and institutional investors, the funds capitalisation will reach € 15m. The Foundation for Polish Science has been in operation since 1991. It is

We have been thinking for some time about doing this, time has come to act. We decided to use medium.com as the platform has international range and thus - is perfect for companies operating in global environment. We already have an experienced blogger in our team. Black Pearls VC Venture Partner Ewa Treitz has written a few interesting texts dedicated to VC/innovation industry in Poland and CEE, as well as on robotics (one her fields of expertise). Also, Black Pearls VC Managing Partner Alexander Lubański made his debut recently and commented on the newly-published Polish Startups Report 2017. Expect more of our activity on Medium in the following months, we hope you will find it interesting to know us a little bit more. https://medium.com/black-pearls-vc

Team of scientists originating from the Warsaw University of Technology, led by Mateusz Delekta and supervised by prof. Tomasz Ciach, will develop an innovative way of growing and exploring the applications of marine algae. The Green Goods project will be developed in partnership with Black Pearls VC and the industry specific co-investor from the US.