“Presto Ventures Partners with CSG for a Bold €150 Million Dive into Cutting-Edge Technology and Security Solutions!”
Venture Capital Firm Presto Ventures, in collaboration with Michal Strnad’s Industrial and Technology Group, Czechoslovak Group (CSG), has launched an innovative investment fund named Presto Tech Horizons. Together, they will allocate resources to groundbreaking enterprises within the Security and Defense Technology sector. With a targeted funding amount of €150 million, this fund is poised to become one of the largest on a global scale within this industry’s landscape and expertise.
Presto Tech Horizons is structured to bolster numerous highly promising technological ventures from NATO member nations and allied realms. The fund primarily centers on organizations developing dual-use solutions relevant to both civilian and security applications. Investments will focus on enhancing the safety and privacy of individuals, while also fortifying businesses, institutions, and nations. The investment landscape will span various influential sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, automation, robotics, logistics, defense, aerospace, mobility, energy, healthcare, advanced computing, and systems related to critical infrastructure management and protection—including the use of radars, terrestrial and aerial drones, lasers, and advanced sensors.
“For emerging technology-driven companies, finding the right investor can often be a challenge. By joining forces, Presto and CSG have created a unique partnership that is unmatched in Europe. Our fund integrates the apex of tech investments, expertise in scaling global operations, and industrial-tech knowledge,” states Premysl Rubes, founder and managing partner of Presto Ventures.
The interest from investors and tech innovators in the realm of security technologies has been significantly increasing lately. “For investors, the main hurdle is the general difficulty in accessing sector-specific acumen required to assess the technology’s quality and its market viability. Tech entrepreneurs, on the other hand, encounter challenges posed by complex regulations, lengthy processes, and adherence to a myriad of formal prerequisites. Our partnership with CSG effectively tackles these challenges and uncertainties,” adds Premysl Rubes. CSG serves as the industrial partner and one of the fund’s several investors.
Michal Strnad, Chairman of the Board and owner of the CSG Group, comments: “At CSG, we have been consistently developing solutions and products that future generations can leverage. We seek the brightest talents and pioneering technologies. In collaboration with Presto, we aim to discover opportunities and nurture portfolio companies to provide solutions with significant added value and a positive impact on society. We are acutely aware of the challenges in transforming research and development into industrial products capable of succeeding in the defense, security, and law enforcement sectors, targeting not just private firms but also governmental bodies and their institutions. Our strength lies in our ability to manage both production and international commerce. We’re eager to share our expertise with emerging innovative entrepreneurs who aspire to be leaders in technology.”
Each year, investors at Presto Tech Horizons engage with up to three thousand innovators whose products hold the potential to tackle society’s most urgent issues. They will back talented, ambitious tech entrepreneurs and firms eager for global success, typically generating revenue and seeking strong partnerships to expedite their growth. The fund is currently assessing numerous promising initiatives, with plans to announce the inaugural portfolio investments this autumn.
