Jana Sedláková, a seasoned lawyer and entrepreneur, joins Seen Aquin Avila and Petr Jahn as the new General Partner of StartGuide VC, a Czech venture capital firm specializing in early-stage investments in B2B, smart tech, and healthcare. With a diverse background spanning law, tax, M&A, and even coffee roasting, Sedláková wants to infuse new energy into her career by setting aside the “boring” aspects of law and focusing on the dynamic world of startups.

Intrigued by StartGuide’s stated goal to invest up to 30% of its new fund (currently in fundraising) in startups led by women, we talked to Sedláková about her plans for achieving that vision.

Moving from “boring” law to startup innovation

Sedláková’s path to the venture capital world is rooted in her work as a lawyer. Since founding her law firm in 2016, she has been committed to helping tech companies—from traditional industries like automotive to newly-emerging startups—navigate complex legal landscapes. For Sedláková, this experience underscored the vital role of technology and digitalization across industries, providing a strong foundation for her shift toward the startup ecosystem.

“I started the law firm in 2016, and from the beginning, we focused on tech companies. Not only tech companies as in software development but any company that needed to buy, build, or had anything to do with software. So even like older companies, for example, in automotive, they are very heavily tech-focused.”

Her commitment to tech-driven companies stemmed from her interactions with both sides of the ecosystem—large corporations dependent on digital infrastructure and nimble startups full of ambition. She says, “The startup ecosystem, for me, brings more joy. These people are still eager to learn, even if they are seasoned entrepreneurs. For them, every second counts, every decision matters, and that is what actually makes me love my job at this point.”

StartGuide and their hands-on approach to supporting founders

Joining StartGuide was a natural next step for Sedláková, who had previously collaborated with the firm in a legal capacity. She was drawn not only to StartGuide’s focus on early-stage tech-driven companies but also to the partners’ hands-on approach to venture capital. Rather than simply providing funding, StartGuide takes an active mentorship role, often becoming a part of the operations for the portfolio companies.

“Many VCs claim they support their startups beyond capital, but for StartGuide, it’s genuinely the case. Our team becomes part of the startup’s journey. We mentor founders on critical decisions around sales, marketing, and operations—all things that can make or break a young company.”