Builders of the New Europe

Stories, strategies, and insights from the founders and investors shaping the region.

Featured episodes

Paweł Fornalski - co-founder of IAI Group (IdoSell, IdoBooking, AtomStore), business angel, LP in VC funds. Known for sharp, uncompromising opinions based on experience. Godfather of Polish e-commerce.

Tomasz and Piotr Karwatka - entrepreneurs and investors behind Divante, Vue Storefront, Callstack, Open Loyalty. Through Catch The Tornado, they support founders with investments and expertise. Portfolio includes Rigby, cyber_Folks, and Polish unicorn ElevenLabs.

Borys Musielak - co-founder of SMOK Ventures, investor and long-time builder of Poland's startup ecosystem. Known for uncompromising approach and active social media presence.

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Recent episodes

Aleksandra Pedraszewska - co-founder of vastpoint fund. All-female three-person team investing in early-stage Polish deep tech and AI startups.

The “Roadtrip” series continues, this time 🇧🇬 Bulgaria! Our guest is Angel Angelov (Managing Partner at Innovation Capital; Partner at ODC Ventures) who discusses the Bulgarian startup ecosystem, funding, and cross-border collaboration with CEE.

Today we are visiting 🇱🇹 Lithuania. Our guest is Tomas Kemtys (General Partner at Contrarian Ventures, formerly Centerview Partners)

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Our Story

Venture Central began as ZapytajVC - a Polish YouTube channel launched in 2012 with a simple mission: make the world of venture capital more transparent and accessible to founders. What started as a series of explainer videoes and interviews with investors soon grew into one of the most recognised independent voices in Poland’s startup ecosystem.
Over the years, the channel published more than 100 in-depth conversations with founders, VCs, and operators. Its influence was acknowledged by MamStartup and PFR Ventures, who included ZapytajVC among the major creators shaping the Polish startup landscape in the KREATORZY 2023/24 ranking.
As the audience expanded and the topics increasingly crossed borders, a new direction became clear. Central and Eastern Europe had a richer story to tell - one of innovation, ambition, emerging ecosystems, and founders building globally relevant companies.
To reflect this broader mission, ZapytajVC evolved into Venture Central in December 2025. Today, the platform focuses on the entire CEE region, covering not only venture capital but also entrepreneurship, technology, SMEs, funding, and the people shaping the next chapter of the region’s growth.
And while the brand has changed, the core idea remains the same: authentic conversations, useful insights, and a belief that founders and investors grow stronger when they learn from each other.

Meet The Hosts

Arek Hajduk
Arek has been active in the startup world since 2006 as a founder, investor, and mentor. He co-founded companies in Poland, Denmark, and Canada, served as CEO, COO, board member, and investment manager in a seed VC fund, and led an accelerator for high-potential, globally ambitious teams. He also worked as an Innovation Director in a state-owned company.
Over the years, Arek has invested in or helped secure investment for numerous startups, exited four companies he co-founded, and gained valuable lessons from ventures that didn’t succeed. He has built and managed teams of over 150 people and supported hundreds of founders through programs like Founder Institute, Impact Poland, Startup Weekend, and others.
At Venture Central, he brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial, operational, and investment experience - offering an authentic, ecosystem-wide perspective on building and scaling startups.Michał Olszewski
A seasoned venture capital professional and innovation strategist with 14+ years of experience in early-stage investments, startup acceleration, and EU-funded innovation programs. He has worked with startups and corporates across the CEE.
Michał has co-founded multiple ventures, scaled tech and hospitality projects, and mentors emerging founders across Europe. He is passionate about Lean Startup methodologies, cross-border co-investments, and helping deep-tech startups grow.
Interests: Cycling and exploring the impact of technology.

Our Audience

Venture Central connects with a growing community of founders, investors, and startup enthusiasts across Central and Eastern Europe - and beyond. Our viewers are highly engaged (with 136% growth in views over the last year), tech-savvy, and eager for insights from the region’s startup ecosystem.
Most of our audience is 25–34 years old, predominantly male, and watches from Poland and neighboring CEE countries. They tune in on desktops, mobile devices, and even smart TVs, spending an average of 5 minutes per video, with some episodes reaching thousands of views.
Whether you’re a founder, investor, or startup enthusiast, Venture Central delivers insights, stories, and practical lessons that resonate with professionals shaping the future of CEE entrepreneurship.

Our Sponsors

We partner with organizations that share our mission of supporting founders and innovation in the region.Current sponsors:Preview sponsors:We welcome new partners who want to reach an engaged audience of founders, investors, and innovators.

Become a Sponsor

Get Your Pitch Deck Reviewed

🇵🇱 Szukasz wersji w języku polskim? - kliknij tutaj 🇵🇱Before you meet investors, make sure your deck doesn't sabotage you.Your pitch deck is often your only chance to get a meeting. A weak deck means no response. A confusing deck means no second chance.We've seen hundreds of decks. We know what works, what doesn't, and what makes investors click "delete" before slide 3.Submit your deck and get honest, actionable feedback from people who've been on both sides of the table.

Three ways to get feedback:

🎬 The Roast
FreeSubmit your pitch deck for a public review on our YouTube channel.Once a month, we select decks and roast them live on camera. No sugar-coating. Real feedback that helps you – and every founder watching – understand what investors actually look for.How it works:
- Send your deck to: [email protected]
- Subject line: "The Roast" + your startup name
- We'll contact you if your deck is selected
- Your deck will be reviewed publicly on Venture Central YouTube channelWhat you get:
- Honest, detailed analysis of your deck
- Insights into how investors think
- Visibility in the CEE founder communityImportant: By submitting, you agree that your deck may be shown publicly on our YouTube channel. Don't share anything that you are uncomfortable to show online! Just in case, we'll notify you again about it before filming.

🔥 Private Roast
€49 / 249 PLNSame honest feedback as The Roast – but for your eyes only.We record a detailed video review of your deck with constructive criticism. No public exposure. Just you, your deck, and our unfiltered thoughts on what works and what needs fixing.How it works:
- Send your deck to: [email protected]
- Subject line: "Private Roast" + your startup name
- In your email: let us know if you prefer feedback from one of us or both (Arek, Michał, or both together)
- You'll receive a payment link
- After payment, you'll get a private video link with your deck review
We schedule recordings as soon as possible within our availability.What you get:
- Private video with detailed deck feedback (yours to keep, watch as many times as you need)
- Honest assessment without public exposure
- Specific advice on what to fix

🎯 The Rehearsal
€249 / 999 PLNYour first investor meeting is often your only shot. Blow it, and there's no second chance.Practice with someone who's been on both sides – as a founder pitching and as an investor asking tough questions. This is a private 1:1 session. Everything stays between us.How it works:
- Send your deck to: [email protected]
- Subject line: "The Rehearsal" + your startup name
- In your email: let us know if you prefer a session with one of us or both (Arek, Michał, or both together)
- You'll receive a link to book a session + payment link
- We analyze your deck before the session
- During a 60-minute video call, you pitch – and face the same hard questions investors will ask
We schedule sessions as soon as possible within our availability.What you get:
- Private video recording of your pitch session – for your eyes only (review it as many times as you need)
- Separate video with detailed deck feedback
- Honest assessment of your pitch performance
- Specific advice on what to fix before real meetingsAfter this session, you'll walk into investor meetings prepared – not hoping for the best.

Who is it for?

Founders who:- Have a pitch deck ready (or almost ready)
- Are preparing for fundraising conversations
- Want honest feedback, not polite encouragement
- Understand that practice beats talent when stakes are high

Why us?

Not for you if:- You don't have a deck yet (build one first)
- You're looking for validation, not feedback
- You're not ready to hear what's not working

Arek has been in the startup world since 2006. As a founder, he's pitched hundreds of times. As an investor and board member at a VC fund, he's heard thousands of pitches. He knows what lands and what doesn't.Michał brings 14+ years of experience in early-stage investments and startup acceleration across CEE. He's seen what separates fundable startups from the rest.Between us, we've invested in dozens of companies, mentored hundreds of founders, and watched great ideas die because of bad presentations.We'd rather help you fix your deck before that happens.

Questions?

How long until I hear back?
The Roast: We review submissions as they come. Expect contact no later than 2-3 weeks after you send us the deck
Private Roast & The Rehearsal: We'll send you payment and scheduling links within 48 hours.What format should my deck be in?
PDF preferred. Google Slides or Canva links also work.Can I submit in Polish?
Yes. We review decks in both Polish and English.Should I choose one host or both?
Up to you. One perspective is often enough. Two gives you a broader view – but takes more coordination to schedule.

Ready?

📧 [email protected]

Przetestuj swój Pitch Deck

Zanim spotkasz się z inwestorem, upewnij się, że Twój deck Ci nie zaszkodzi.Twój pitch deck to często jedyna szansa na spotkanie. Słaby deck = brak odpowiedzi. Niejasny deck = brak drugiej szansy.Widzieliśmy setki decków. Wiemy, co działa, co nie działa, i przez co inwestorzy klikają "usuń" przed trzecim slajdem.Wyślij swój deck i dostaniesz szczery, konkretny feedback od ludzi, którzy byli po obu stronach stołu.

Trzy sposoby na feedback:

🎬 The Roast
BezpłatnieWyślij swój pitch deck do publicznej analizy na naszym kanale YouTube.Raz w miesiącu wybieramy decki i "roastujemy" je na żywo przed kamerą. Bez owijania w bawełnę. Prawdziwy feedback, który pomaga Tobie – i każdemu founderowi oglądającemu – zrozumieć, czego naprawdę szukają inwestorzy.Jak to działa:
- Wyślij swój pitch deck na adres [email protected]
- Temat: "The Roast" + nazwa Twojego startupu
- Skontaktujemy się z Tobą jeżeli wybierzemy Twój deck
- Analiza zostanie opublikowana na kanale Venture Central na YouTubeCo dostajesz:
- Szczera, szczegółowa analiza Twojego decka
- Wgląd w sposób myślenia inwestorów
- Widoczność w społeczności founderów CEEWażne: Wysyłając deck zgadzasz się na jego publiczne omówienie na naszym kanale YouTube. Nie wysyłaj nam niczego czego nie chcesz zobaczyć publicznie! Zawsze przed nagraniem potwierdzimy z Tobą chęć publikacji.

🔥 Private Roast
249 PLNTen sam szczery feedback jak w The Roast – ale tylko dla Twoich oczu.Nagrywamy szczegółową analizę video Twojego decka z konstruktywną krytyką. Bez publicznej ekspozycji. Tylko Ty, Twój deck i nasze niefiltrowane przemyślenia o tym, co działa i co wymaga poprawy.Jak to działa:
- Wyślij deck na adres [email protected]
- Temat: "Private Roast" + nazwa Twojego startupu
- W mailu napisz czy wolisz feedback od jednego z nas cczy od obu (Arek, Michał, czy obaj razem)
- Dostaniesz od nas link do płatności
- Po opłaceniu dostaniesz link do prywatnego video na YouTubie z analizą Twojego decka.Nagrania realizujemy najszybciej jak to możliwe, w ramach naszej dostępności.Co dostajesz:
- Prywatne video ze szczegółową analizą Twojego decka (Twoje na zawsze, oglądaj do woli)
- Szczera ocena bez publicznej ekspozycji
- Konkretne wskazówki, co poprawić

🎯 The Rehearsal
999 PLNPierwsze spotkanie z inwestorem to często jedyna szansa. Jeśli wypadniesz źle, drugiej nie będzie.Przećwicz z kimś, kto był po obu stronach – jako founder pitchujący i jako inwestor zadający trudne pytania. To prywatna sesja 1:1. Wszystko zostaje między nami.Jak to działa:
- Wyślij swój deck na adres [email protected]
- Temat: "The Rehearsal" + nazwa Twojego startupu
- W mailu napisz czy wolisz feedback od jednego z nas cczy od obu (Arek, Michał, czy obaj razem)
- Dostaniesz od nas link do płatności i wyboru terminu spotkania
- Przed sesją analizujemy Twój deck
- Podczas 60-minutowej rozmowy video pitchujesz – i dostajesz te same trudne pytania, które zadają inwestorzy.Sesje umawiamy najszybciej jak to możliwe, w ramach naszej dostępności.Co dostajesz:
- Prywatne nagranie naszego spotkania (Twoje na zawsze, analizuj do woli)
- Osobne prywatne video z naszymi uwagami do decka
- Szczera ocena Twojej prezentacji na spotkaniu
- Konkretne wskazówki, co poprawić przed prawdziwymi spotkaniami z inwestoramiPo takiej sesji wejdziesz na spotkanie z inwestorem przygotowany - a nie z nadzieją, że jakoś to będzie.

Dla kogo to jest?

Dla founderów, którzy:- Mają gotowy (lub prawie gotowy) pitch deck
- Przygotowują się do rozmów z inwestorami
- Chcą szczerego feedbacku, nie grzecznych porad
-Rozumieją, że przygotowanie jest ważniejsze niż talent, jeżeli stawka jest wysoka

Dlaczego my?

To nie dla Ciebie, jeśli:- Nie masz jeszcze decka (najpierw go zrób)
- Szukasz walidacji, a nie feedbacku
- Nie jesteś gotowy usłyszeć, co nie działa

Arek jest w świecie startupów od 2006 roku. Jako founder pitchował setki razy. Jako inwestor i członek zarządu funduszu VC słyszał tysiące pitchy. Wie, co działa i co nie.Michał ma 14+ lat doświadczenia w inwestycjach early-stage i akceleracji startupów w całym regionie CEE. Widział, co odróżnia startupy, które dostają finansowanie, od reszty.Razem zainwestowaliśmy w dziesiątki firm, wspieraliśmy setki founderów i widzieliśmy, jak świetne pomysły umierają przez złe prezentacje.Wolimy pomóc Ci naprawić deck, zanim to nastąpi.

Pytania?

Kiedy dostanę odpowiedź?
The Roast: Przeglądamy zgłoszenia co miesiąc. Jeśli Twój deck zostanie wybrany, odezwiemy się w ciągu 2-3 tygodni.
Private Roast i The Rehearsal: Wyślemy linki do płatności i umawiania w ciągu 48 godzin.W jakim formacie wysłać deck?
Najlepiej PDF. Linki do Google Slides lub Canva też są ok.Czy mogę wysłać deck po angielsku?
Tak. Analizujemy decki w języku polskim i angielskim.Wybrać jednego z Was czy obu?
Jak wolisz. Jedna perspektywa często wystarczy. Dwie dają szerszy obraz – ale trudniej znaleźć wspólny termin.