In a week, the news traveled the (at least technological) world. The Florida startup of the Czech entrepreneur ShipMonk acquired an investor who spent over six billion crowns on an unspecified share. “It means a huge validation of what we do,” says Jan Bednář about the new investment in his company, which was established in 2014 and has the ambition to supply logistics solutions to e-shops.
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What will cooperation with the investor Summit Partners mean to you?
Above all, it is a huge appreciation of what we do. When you work intensively on something of your own – just like us – it is sometimes difficult to see from the inside what you have built and appreciate how great it is and how valuable it has or can have. This undoubtedly means that we will have a partner on our side who will help us with technological development, further growth and, for example, the hiring of people who will help kick our business even more.
Is it possible to communicate some details of the transaction?
I can’t comment on specific percentages. I can only repeat that this is a minority stake for Summit Partners.
Why Summit Partners, did they address you or you?
In February, Goldman Sachs and I began consulting with various investors. In the end, we chose Summit Partners from among those interested. Mainly because of the similarity of our strategies and the values they can bring to our company.
Do you personally remain in the management of the company?
Yes. We have to go through the season for a few more weeks now. Then we will return to the strategic priorities of next year. As I still have a significant stake in the company, I will continue to be its CEO and lead it until I feel useful to it.
