In this episode, we dive into the world of venture capital with Diana Stefanova, Managing Partner at BrightCap Ventures, an early-stage VC firm investing in the CEE region with a special focus on Bulgaria and Romania. Diana shares her journey from working with startups in Silicon Valley to scaling VMware’s Bulgarian operations and transitioning to BrightCap, first as a Venture Partner and now as a Managing Partner.

🔍 Episode Highlights:

• 💼 Navigating the World of VC: Diana explains the differences between being a Venture Partner and a Managing Partner and how these roles shape investment strategies.
• 💰 Building a $60M Fund: Insights into the challenges and triumphs of raising BrightCap’s second fund and how portfolio exits influenced the process.
• 🌍 Gender Equality in VC: BrightCap sets itself apart with two out of three Managing Partners being women. Diana shares her perspective on gender diversity in the CEE venture ecosystem.
• 🔮 Future of Work Startups: Exploring BrightCap’s investment focus on the future of work, including AI-driven innovations and HR tech.
• 📈 Bulgaria's Startup Boom: A discussion on Sofia's rise as a top CEE startup hub and the impact of success stories like Payhawk on the local ecosystem.

Don’t miss this insightful episode packed with valuable lessons for founders, investors, and anyone interested in the evolving venture capital landscape in the CEE region. 🎧

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.