Bridging Continents: Filip Shares ZAKA VC’s North American Vision on TA3

In a recent interview with Slovakia’s TA3 news channel, our colleague Filip, Principal at ZAKA VC’s North American office, spoke about our strategic move into the U.S. market and what it means for European founders.

Filip highlighted that ZAKA’s expansion to Silicon Valley is about more than location—it’s about proximity to global innovation, talent, and capital. He shared how many European startups face a ceiling when trying to scale locally and that ZAKA wants to help them break through it by building direct links to the world’s most dynamic startup ecosystem.

He also emphasized that American investors are increasingly open to international founders, as long as they are physically present in the market. That’s why ZAKA aims to be a trusted partner in helping Central and Eastern European startups make that leap—both logistically and strategically.

“We don’t want to be just another VC from Europe that’s visiting the Valley. We want to actually become part of the community here — connect with people, show up at events, and build long-term relationships.”

Filip also touched on how startups from Central and Eastern Europe can better prepare for global expansion. He encouraged founders to think bigger from day one—by validating their product in multiple markets early, surrounding themselves with globally-minded talent, and proactively seeking feedback from outside their home country. As he noted, breaking into the U.S. market isn’t about overnight success—it’s about preparation, persistence, and the right partners.

ZAKA has already invested in 65 companies across 20+ countries, and this North American presence marks a natural next step in our mission to support ambitious founders ready to go global.

Watch the full interview with English subtitles here: