Earlier this month at COPS Solutions in Karlin, something interesting happened. Twenty-five founders, investors, and serial entrepreneurs gathered for an honest conversation about building businesses that actually work.

It was the very first COPS Venture Builders Meetup, and it delivered exactly what we hoped for: lots of lessons, ideas to inspire, and some genuinely useful connections.

Why This Event Exists

We wanted to create a space for the people in the arena – those who’ve launched, invested, failed, pivoted, and grown. This wasn’t about theory. It was about people who’ve done the work sharing what they learned along the way. This was also for people who are ready to grow and are looking for others who can help them on their journey.

What Happened at Meetup #1

We kicked off with Ondřej Dvořák, CEO of COPS Solutions, setting the foundation: what venture building actually means, and why finding the right partner early on can make all the difference when you’re starting something new.

Then came Bastiaan Brouns, co-founder of Hub by Profid, who gave a keynote on how they started out a new business from within their company. He didn’t hold back; sharing both the strategic advantages of launching a spin-off and the bumps they hit along the way.
Spoiler alert: building something new, even inside an established business, is still hard.

The real heat came during the fireside chat. Investors Almar Hilmarsson and Ondřej Homola, alongside Ondřej Dvořák, talked about what it really takes to build and fund a new venture. And the big takeaway? It’s harder, messier, and more customer-driven than most people admit.

For starters, that “crazy idea” you came up with over beers? It’ll take 100 times more work than you think. Which is why passion matters more than polish in the early days. If you don’t really care, don’t bother.

One of the most repeated lessons from the evening: founders need to stop chasing investors and start chasing customers. If you can prove traction, the right investors will find you. Investors are not funding PowerPoint decks anymore, they’re funding momentum.

We also talked about product and go-to-market. And if you’re still thinking the best tech wins, think again. In 2025, the winners are the ones who figure out distribution first. Having a brilliant product that no one knows about is just another form of failure.

Another tough truth? Don’t wait for perfect. If you’re not talking to customers early and adjusting along the way, you’re building blind. The best founders validate while building—and launch before they feel ready.

Finally, we talked team dynamics. Having builders is great. But if no one on your team knows how to sell, you’ve got a hobby, not a company.

Why the Event Worked

The best part of the night wasn’t just the speakers – it was the people in the room. Founders on their third or fourth company. Investors asking sharp questions. Operators with real-world experience. Everyone came ready to share, learn, and maybe even collaborate.

As one of the participants from AtomTrace put it in their recap: “We got exactly what we came for: honest advice and a room full of people who understand the game.”

Join Us for Meetup #2 – April 15

After successful first event, we’re doing it again. COPS Venture Builders Meetup #2 is happening on April 15, and we have a line up you don’t want to miss.

Filip Rehorik from Microsoft for Startups is joining us to talk about how Strategy and Tech can accelerate your growth. On top of this, we’ve got Alex Karo (Robosales.ai) and Jan Proček (AtomTrace) sharing about their spin-offs; how the idea started, what it takes to get first customers and how to open new markets and industries.

Same deal as last time:

• 25 people
• Real conversations
• Networking opportunities
• Drinks after

Thámova 16, Praha 8 – Karlín
Limited seats, free entry
Reserve your spot now >>