🎙️Today’s episode guest is Marcin Hejka, Co-Founder, and General Partner at OTB Ventures, who shares his extensive experience in venture capital, particularly focusing on deep tech startups with strong ties to the CEE region. With a keen eye for innovation, OTB Ventures specializes in supporting early-growth startups across FinTech, Cybersecurity, AI & Automation, and SpaceTech domains. Noteworthy investments include ICEYE, Silent Eight, and Kevin, contributing to OTB's status as the largest VC firm originating from CEE, managing a substantial portfolio exceeding $300M.

Marcin's journey to VC investor offers unique perspectives, influenced by his previous roles as Vice President and Managing Director for Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and India at Intel Capital. We explore the historical underpinnings of Intel, its founders, and the intriguing connections to OTB's investment thesis.

Diving deeper, we unravel Intel Capital's distinctive investment strategy, contrasting it with traditional VC approaches. Marcin shares insights into the complexities of analyzing portfolio growth, particularly in the context of deep tech startups, highlighting the challenges and opportunities inherent in this sector.

In the current economic landscape, Marcin sheds light on why investing in deep tech startups may be a strategic move, even amidst downturns. His unconventional recommendation to indulge in sci-fi literature over conventional venture capital books sparks intriguing discussions on fostering creative thinking and envisioning futuristic possibilities.

Tune in to discover:

1. Marcin’s journey from the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations to Private Equity and VC investing.
2. The symbiotic relationship between Intel's legacy and OTB's vision.
3. Nuances of Intel Capital's investment strategies.
4. The startups' advantages in creating innovations over established corporations.
5. Challenges and rewards of analyzing deep tech startup portfolios.
6. Strategic advantages of deep tech investments in economic downturns.
7. The transformative power of sci-fi in shaping innovative perspectives.

Join us as we explore the dynamic intersection of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and the transformative potential of deep tech startups.

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