HAVEL PARTNERS Recognised for Best Venture Capital Investment in Slovakia at CVCA SLOVCA Awards 2025
Largest Czech-Slovak law firm HAVEL PARTNERS has won the award for Best
Venture Capital Investment in Slovakia for 2025 at the CVCA SLOVCA
Awards 2025, held at a prestigious gala evening.
The award recognizes the firms legal advisory work on a standout investment in Brightpick, a Slovak leader in warehouse automation. The landmark transaction, valued at 12 million, combined both equity and debt financing. Notably, the 5 million venture debt componentprovided from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Developments Venture Capital programis the largest venture debt deal ever recorded in Slovakia HAVEL PARTNERS provided comprehensive legal advisory to Brightpick throughout the entire transaction process. The legal team was led by partner Jaroslav Baier, and included associates Kristína Saktorová, Miriam Podskubová, Andrea Mochorovská and junior associate Róbert Košala.
This award in the Venture Capital Investment Slovakia category confirms that our team delivers top-notch legal services in the venture capital sector. The Brightpick deal is a milestone for Slovakias startup ecosystem. The company is on a strong path to becoming the countrys first unicorn, commented Jaroslav Baier, partner at HAVEL PARTNERS responsible for the venture capital and private equity practice, and associated partner at ONE FAMILY OFFICE. Brightpick, a Slovak technology startup, has developed Autopickera revolutionary mobile robot capable of fully automating the order picking and consolidation process in warehouses. The company has seen an eightfold year-on-year revenue growth and serves major clients such as Rohlík.cz and ViaPharma. Closing this deal was a key milestone for us, enabling us to accelerate growth, expand our capacities, and strengthen our presence in global markets, said Ivana Žižková, Brightpicks CFO.
Thanks to this financing, we successfully expanded into our primary target marketthe United Stateswhere we secured our first two major clients and have already deployed over 150 Autopicker units. The HAVEL PARTNERS team provided us with exceptionally professional and technically precise support throughout the transaction. Their understanding of innovative deal structures and the startup environment was crucial for successfully navigating this complex investment, she added. We are proud to have been part of this exceptional transaction and to support Brightpicks journey toward global success. This award is the result of our long-term commitment to supporting innovative technology companies and contributing to the development of the venture capital market in Slovakia, added Jaroslav Baier.
HAVEL PARTNERS has established itself as a key player in venture capital transactions not only in Slovakia but also in the Czech market, where it has been operating since 2005. Today, the firm has the largest team of lawyers, consisting of sixty professionals focused on startups, technology groups, and innovations, making it the largest venture capital practice in the Czech-Slovak market. The firm is not just a legal advisor but also an active investor. We founded Cornerstone Capital, through which I personally, along with the law firms partners, invest in venture capital funds.
Currently, the Cornerstone Capital team oversees investments in 12 Czech and Slovak venture capital funds, in which it has invested over 2.5 million, explained Jaroslav Havel, managing partner of HAVEL PARTNERS and main partner and investor at ONE FAMILY OFFICE. Thanks to these investments, Jaroslav Havel and Cornerstone Capital are indirect co-owners of probably the largest number of startups in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as well as in other countries. This includes approximately 150 companies, where they hold smaller indirect stakes, including several dollar unicorns. In addition to capital, they bring know-how, contacts, and legal support throughout the entire lifecycle of a startup.
This award in the Venture Capital Investment Slovakia category confirms that our team delivers top-notch legal services in the venture capital sector. The Brightpick deal is a milestone for Slovakias startup ecosystem. The company is on a strong path to becoming the countrys first unicorn, commented Jaroslav Baier, partner at HAVEL PARTNERS responsible for the venture capital and private equity practice, and associated partner at ONE FAMILY OFFICE. Brightpick, a Slovak technology startup, has developed Autopickera revolutionary mobile robot capable of fully automating the order picking and consolidation process in warehouses. The company has seen an eightfold year-on-year revenue growth and serves major clients such as Rohlík.cz and ViaPharma. Closing this deal was a key milestone for us, enabling us to accelerate growth, expand our capacities, and strengthen our presence in global markets, said Ivana Žižková, Brightpicks CFO.
Thanks to this financing, we successfully expanded into our primary target marketthe United Stateswhere we secured our first two major clients and have already deployed over 150 Autopicker units. The HAVEL PARTNERS team provided us with exceptionally professional and technically precise support throughout the transaction. Their understanding of innovative deal structures and the startup environment was crucial for successfully navigating this complex investment, she added. We are proud to have been part of this exceptional transaction and to support Brightpicks journey toward global success. This award is the result of our long-term commitment to supporting innovative technology companies and contributing to the development of the venture capital market in Slovakia, added Jaroslav Baier.
HAVEL PARTNERS has established itself as a key player in venture capital transactions not only in Slovakia but also in the Czech market, where it has been operating since 2005. Today, the firm has the largest team of lawyers, consisting of sixty professionals focused on startups, technology groups, and innovations, making it the largest venture capital practice in the Czech-Slovak market. The firm is not just a legal advisor but also an active investor. We founded Cornerstone Capital, through which I personally, along with the law firms partners, invest in venture capital funds.
Currently, the Cornerstone Capital team oversees investments in 12 Czech and Slovak venture capital funds, in which it has invested over 2.5 million, explained Jaroslav Havel, managing partner of HAVEL PARTNERS and main partner and investor at ONE FAMILY OFFICE. Thanks to these investments, Jaroslav Havel and Cornerstone Capital are indirect co-owners of probably the largest number of startups in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as well as in other countries. This includes approximately 150 companies, where they hold smaller indirect stakes, including several dollar unicorns. In addition to capital, they bring know-how, contacts, and legal support throughout the entire lifecycle of a startup.
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