Jakob has spent the past decade building the missing pieces of the startup ecosystem. He helped found ABC Accelerator, focusing on investment and fundraising. Since 2018, he has led the Ljubljana University Incubator, helping turn deep tech from a marginal theme into a serious part of Slovenia’s startup landscape. Jakob also serves on the board of DeepTech Alliance, a network of leading European university-linked hubs connecting science-based startups with corporates and investors.

“How should the world be different in ten years? What are you building to get us there?”

In 2023, Jakob founded RUJ VC to back seed-stage companies in technology-intensive sectors often overlooked by software-focused regional funds. As a Partner at Fil Rouge Capital, he combines the specialist team and sector expertise built at RUJ with FRC’s established investment platform and fundraising reach.

In 2023, Jakob founded RUJ VC to back seed-stage companies in technology-intensive sectors often overlooked by software-focused regional funds. As a Partner at Fil Rouge Capital, he combines the specialist team and sector expertise built at RUJ with FRC’s established investment platform and fundraising reach.Jakob is technically an engineer and holds an MSc in Sustainable Energy from the University of Edinburgh. He soon discovered that his comparative advantage lies not in designing technology, but in understanding those who do and supporting them as they turn inventions into companies. He fences, has been clocked at a distinctly imprudent 127 km/h on skis, and regards Slovenian wine as a cause requiring active advocacy, though Edinburgh retains a claim where spirits are concerned. Matters of tailoring or horology should be raised only if the rest of the afternoon is free.

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Principal sweet spots: Deep tech, energy, advanced manufacturing, industrial technology, aerospace

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