In this episode, we speak with Emilia Mamajova, Managing Partner at Everita Capital and founding partner of Espira Investments. Emilia shares her journey from being the only woman on a 20-person investment team to launching two private equity funds focused on supporting small and medium-sized businesses across Central and Eastern Europe. Her approach combines hands-on support, digital transformation, and a clear thesis: people-first companies create lasting value.

We explore how Emilia identifies overlooked companies with strong potential, what growth capital actually means beyond the money, and how diversity is not just the right thing to do but a smart market opportunity. If you are a founder scaling an SME or thinking about partnering with an investor who brings more than capital, this episode is for you.

Stay connected with Emilia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilia-mamajova-6b28733/

In this episode, we sit down with Seen Aquin, entrepreneur, investor, and Chief Growth Officer at Ententee, to explore his journey from the aerospace industry into healthtech, entrepreneurship, and early-stage investing.

We talk about how a trip to Bali sparked the idea for BodyBody, a fitness franchise built around EMS training, with the first version of the business model sketched out on a napkin. Seen shares how he and his wife turned that idea into one of the first tech-enabled fitness franchises in the Czech Republic.

We also dive into what it’s like to build a company with your life partner, how to approach scalability and unit economics early on, and how Seen supports startups today as an angel investor and through STARTGUIDE.VC. He shares what he looks for in founders, why team dynamics matter, and what excites him most about the future of longevity, AI, and digital health.

Stay connected with Seen on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/seen-aquin/

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Are you curious about what we do at Uppersky? We design digital products for impact-driven businesses, helping startups and innovation teams solve real challenges and create meaningful results.

You can learn more here:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠uppersky.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/uppersky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/uppersky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If this sounds like something you need help with, we’d love to connect.

We talk with Ilya Novodvorskiy, co-founder of Readmio, a storytelling app that helps parents and children connect through shared moments and imagination.

We talk about how Ilya went from building apps for others to launching a product of his own, what he learned from the ups and downs of growing a B2C startup, and why Readmio focuses on making families happier instead of chasing screen time.

Ilya also shares honest lessons about fundraising, product growth, co-founder dynamics, and staying resilient when things get tough. If you’re building something meaningful and want to hear what it really takes behind the scenes, this one’s for you.

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Are you curious about what we do at Uppersky? We design digital products for impact-driven businesses, helping startups and innovation teams solve real challenges and create meaningful results.

You can learn more here:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠uppersky.co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/uppersky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/uppersky⁠⁠⁠⁠

If this sounds like something you need help with, we’d love to connect.

In this episode, we talk with Clara Vincenc Cismaru, a former product leader who now helps others grow as a leadership coach. We go into the importance of mental fitness, how to build real confidence, and why soft skills are key when working with stakeholders. Clara shares her journey from tech to coaching, how product managers can stay human in the age of AI, and what it really takes to lead with clarity and care. If you're working in product or just trying to be a better leader, this one will give you a lot to think about.

In this episode, we sit down with Karel Obluk, partner at Evolution Equity Partners and president of the Czech Business Angel Association. Karel shares his journey from leading R&D at AVG to backing founders building the future of cybersecurity.

We talk about his early days in the Czech tech scene, how companies like AVG and Avast became global players, and the critical lessons he’s learned as both an angel investor and VC. He opens up about evaluating product–market fit, what makes a team truly investable, and why angel investing is about more than just capital.

Whether you're a founder raising your first round or an operator exploring the world of early-stage investing, this conversation offers honest insights on what it takes to build and back enduring tech companies.

Connect with Karel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karelobluk/

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Are you curious about what we do at Uppersky? We design digital products for impact-driven businesses, helping startups and innovation teams solve real challenges and create meaningful results.

You can learn more here:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠uppersky.co⁠⁠⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/uppersky⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/uppersky⁠⁠⁠

If this sounds like something you need help with, we’d love to connect.

In this episode, Šárka shares the story behind WebExpo’s growth, what makes it such a unique and welcoming space for developers, designers, product people, and tech lovers, and why in-person still matters in an AI-driven world.

We talk about the power of community, the lessons learned from 15+ years of organizing, and how to make the most out of any conference — whether you’re going to learn, connect, or just recharge.

If you’ve ever been curious about what it takes to build something people come back to year after year — this one’s for you.

Connect with Šárka on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarkastrossova/

🎟️ Plus: WebExpo is happening May 28–30 in Prague, and we’ve got an exclusive 20% discount for the Uppersky community — just use code UPPERSKYPODCAST at checkout.

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Are you curious about what we do at Uppersky? We design digital products for impact-driven businesses, helping startups and innovation teams solve real challenges and create meaningful results.

You can learn more here:

• Website: ⁠⁠⁠uppersky.co⁠⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/uppersky⁠⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/uppersky⁠⁠

If this sounds like something you need help with, we’d love to connect.

In this episode, we talk with Vratislav Zima, CEO of MeguMethod and Chairman of the Association of Software Agencies. We explore how his team built mobile apps used by over 10 million people, the mindset behind creating products users truly love, and how he’s helping software agencies grow and collaborate through ASWA.

If you're into building great products or leading a tech team, you'll find plenty to take away.
Connect with Vratislav on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vratislav-zima

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Are you curious about what we do at Uppersky? We design digital products for impact-driven businesses, helping startups and innovation teams solve real challenges and create meaningful results.

You can learn more here:

• Website: ⁠⁠uppersky.co⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠linkedin.com/company/uppersky⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/uppersky⁠

If this sounds like something you need help with, we’d love to connect.

Barbora Pešek is one of the key organizers behind Maker Faire Czech Republic and FAB25. She brings together people who love to create, whether it’s digital fabrication, robotics, 3D printing, computers, arts and crafts, or hacker culture.

In this episode, she shares what’s coming next for Maker Faire and FAB25, how they’re helping schools introduce more hands-on learning, and what it takes to organize an event of this scale. She also talks about her personal projects, the unexpected challenges along the way, and the moments that make it all worth it.

Barbora opens up about where she finds inspiration and how she and her team are making these events more accessible. She also shares some of her favorite resources, including Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, MIT Technology Review Narrated, and The Good Robot.

A great conversation for anyone who loves creativity, problem-solving, and bringing ideas to life.

Stay connected with Barbora on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barbora-pesek/

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Are you curious about what we do at Uppersky? We design digital products for impact-driven businesses, helping startups and innovation teams solve real challenges and create meaningful results.

You can learn more here:

• Website: ⁠uppersky.co⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/company/uppersky⁠

• Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/uppersky

If this sounds like something you need help with, we’d love to connect.

Join us for a conversation with Jakub Rychlý, co-founder of Nekrachni / Not Broke, a project helping young people in the Czech Republic take control of their finances. Jakub shares why he started Nekrachni, the biggest financial challenges Gen Z faces, and how their app makes managing money easier. He also talks about securing a Google Impact Challenge grant and the role of community in their success.

Beyond the story, Jakub shares practical advice on financial well-being and how small steps can make a big difference. If you're looking to build better money habits or just curious about how financial education is evolving, this episode is for you.

Stay connected with Jakub on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubrychly/

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Are you curious about what we do at Uppersky? We design digital products for impact-driven businesses, helping startups and innovation teams solve real challenges and create meaningful results.

You can learn more here:

• Website: uppersky.co
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/uppersky
• Instagram: instagram.com/uppersky

If this sounds like something you need help with, we’d love to connect.

What if cutting-edge research from one of the world’s most advanced scientific institutions could power the next generation of startups? In this episode, we sit down with Linn Kretzschmar, Program Lead at CERN Venture Connect, to uncover how CERN is helping deep tech startups turn groundbreaking technology into real-world applications. We explore how CERN’s expertise, network, and unique technology transfer model create opportunities for innovators worldwide.

Linn shares stories of startups already benefiting from CERN's deep tech, explains how entrepreneurs can access these technologies, and reveals surprising ways research can shape industries beyond physics. Whether you're a founder, investor, or just curious about how scientific discoveries make it to market, this conversation will change how you see the future of deep tech innovation.

Tune in and discover how to bridge the gap between research and business.

Stay connected with Linn on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/linn-kretzschmar-95a337a2/

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Are you curious about what we do at Uppersky? We design digital products for impact-driven businesses, helping startups and innovation teams solve real challenges and create meaningful results.

You can learn more here:

If this sounds like something you need help with, we’d love to connect.