In 2014, the world’s market of RFID (Radio Freaquency Identification) security was worth 8,89 billion $. This year, the number may increase to 27,31 billion $. The potential was recognized by Black Pearls VC managing Black Pearls LQT Fund and ARP Venture, which invested in Plurimum Seal & Security together.
Startup environment in Tri-city in Poland is a vibrant and still developing ecosystem. Little has been said about it on the international media so far. Tri-city formed by Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot, is a place with an extraordinary investment potential and attractiveness, particularly in the fields of:
Nominations open on the 24th of July for the biggest no-pitch, no-conference startup festival in the Central-Eastern European region. The Central European Startup Awards (CESA) will be held in Vienna this year, on the 8th of October to celebrate and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of the CEE region.
Summer is the time when there are Black Pearls VC’s internships at our headquarters at Olivia Business Centre. We believe that it is a great idea to give teenagers a chance to learn creativity and entrepreneurship. This year, thanks to O4 and Black Pearls VC eight young people from Braniewo came to our offices to spend a month on learning and changing their hobbies into future business. The majority of people believe that internships are pointless due to the simple and demotivational tasks like perking coffee or using photocopier. That’s why we launched our special internship program called “Startup Marathon” with a rigid daily schedule. Every day is planned, teenagers have mentors who support them and help them work on their projects. As far as coffee is concerned, the interns brewed it only for themselves 🙂
Black Pearls VC is right now the biggest capital fund in Northern Poland. Our team specializes in operating the capital through investing in companies in an early development stage. We are also counseling by supporting companies, public administration and science sector with our knowledge and experience.
In the last few decades, the demographic structure has undergone a radical change. The elderly constitutes majority in the society due to the fact that less and less children are born. Moreover, the fast development of medicine and technology makes the average life span longer. Not only are people older, but the pace of life and lack of time are also burning issues. Our ageing population living in the world deprived of time needs technologies and devices that would make their lives simpler and more comfortable.
Last time when we wrote about Galileo Masters, we informed that the subscription phase ends by the end of June. Later, the subscription time was extended to 6th July. Now, all the applications are submitted and it’s official that Polish edition of the competition became the most popular one in the whole world! Without a doubt, it’s a great success and potential for more.
It all started in Slupsk in January 2015. At the Slupsk Technology Incubator (Slupski Inkubator Technologiczny) there met people who wanted their ideas to become business reality. Startup Roadshow – a contest that aims to bring innovation to smaller Polish towns was created for them. During 6 editions of the contest, several teams won 100 000 PLN to develop their business idea and gained necessary mentoring support from our Black Pearls VC experts. Nowadays, the final and special edition has been launched!
The knowledge necessary to make good match between startup needs and the right type of an investor is usually a nuisance for beginners. However, the number of options startups have is constantly growing. Nowadays, it is often like choosing the right wine in a store piled with bottles. It is even more difficult when you realize that choosing the right investor varies depending on a country where you start your business. In Poland the approach is different than, for instance, in the US. Part 1 of this article focuses on the situation outside Poland and describes a few tips on how to choose your investor well there.
Galileo Masters ends by the end of June. Its main aim is to find the best ideas connected with satellite navigation. It is still time to take part in this exceptional European competition and, judging by the main prize – 20 000 euro, it is definitely worth trying. Apart from money, there are a number of other prizes within your reach: internships in space sector companies, virtual offices, co-working spaces and mentoring necessary for getting funds. Moreover, all finalists will have the opportunity to present their ideas to investors and receive an objective judgement of the commercialization potential.