Rockaway Ventures

Rockaway Ventures is a venture capital firm dedicated to accelerating digital innovation in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and DACH regions. The firm partners with founders to disrupt traditional industries through digital transformation, focusing on startups with proven traction in the late seed or Series A stage. Their investment scope spans various sectors, including retail and e-commerce, travel and hospitality, digital logistics, digital media, cybersecurity, defense, CleanTech, and PropTech, with a strong emphasis on transformative technologies like artificial intelligence and deep tech.

The firm operates as a venture capital arm of Rockaway Capital, an investment group founded by Jakub Havrlant in 2013 to consolidate his private investments. Rockaway Ventures itself began its investment activities in 2014, with the legal entity Rockaway Ventures a.s. incorporated in 2017. The firm aims to build strong digital companies and disrupt traditional business models by leveraging digital technologies across various industries.

Rockaway Ventures has made notable investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. Key portfolio companies include Filuta AI, a Czech AI startup specializing in automated game testing, which received a $4.2 million seed round led by Rockaway Ventures. Other significant investments include Productboard, a product management system that achieved unicorn status, and Gjirafa, an e-commerce platform in the Balkans. The firm also supports European startups in scaling their operations in the United States, providing a launchpad for transatlantic growth.

The Rockaway Ventures team is composed of experienced entrepreneurs and investment professionals. Jakub Havrlant, CEO of Rockaway Capital, brings a strong background in e-commerce and building digital businesses. General Partners Dušan Zábrodský and Petr Šmíd contribute expertise in e-commerce, online grocery, digital logistics, product launches (Google Pay), and B2B advertising. Karin Louženská serves as COO, ensuring efficient fund operations, while Max Palko, Joachim Enegaard, Eva Faltusová, and Anna Kreml contribute to investment analysis and portfolio management, leveraging their diverse backgrounds in finance and venture capital.