We are one team

Elizabeth manages the complete operational infrastructure of Luminova Ventures, overseeing the fund’s day-to-day operations and coordinating internal and external processes across the investment lifecycle. Her responsibilities include regulatory compliance, investor onboarding and KYC/AML procedures, GP and LP communications, capital calls, subscription processes, investment execution support, and coordination with legal counsel, auditors, fund administrators, and external providers. She also designs scalable operational and reporting frameworks to support growth, improve efficiency, and maintain institutional-grade governance standards, acting as a central coordination point between stakeholders in a fast-moving venture capital environment.

She brings a combination of operational discipline, regulatory oversight and commercial judgement to complex investment environments gained over more than ten years working with fast-moving family office and family governance consultancy, where she gained experience coordinating multiple stakeholders, managing institutional processes with precision, and maintaining high governance standards.

Ivana is the General Counsel at Luminova Ventures, where she leads legal and regulatory matters and contributes to the fund’s investment activities, combining legal precision with a practical, business-oriented approach. She works across deal structuring, due diligence, fund operations, and cross-border transactions, helping ensure that investments are strategically and legally sound.

Before joining Luminova Ventures, Ivana developed broad experience at both leading international and boutique law firms, advising major international companies and investment funds on corporate law, venture capital, M&A, and employment matters across a range of industries.

She holds a JUDr. (iuris doctoris) degree from the Faculty of Law, Charles University and has been admitted to the Czech Bar as an Attorney-at-Law.

Helena Sladkovská leads investor relations and global partnerships at Luminova Ventures, where she focuses on building trusted relationships with investors, strategic partners, founders, and senior business leaders. She brings over 30 years of experience across finance, business development, marketing, communications, and leadership advisory.

Before joining Luminova, Helena spent more than 15 years at EY, serving as Head of Business Development for EY Czech Republic and leading the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme in the Czech Republic for over a decade. Through this work, she built a strong network among entrepreneurs, CEOs, investors, family business owners, and key stakeholders across the Czech business ecosystem.

Helena combines strategic business insight with a deeply relational approach. She is an ICF-certified coach, long-term startup mentor, and experienced negotiation practitioner, with a background spanning audit, tax, advisory, client development, PR, and crisis communications. At Luminova Ventures, she helps connect capital, know-how, and strategic partnerships in support of the fund’s mission to invest in deep tech and dual-use technologies shaping the future of security.

General Philippe Lavigne served as NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (2021–2024) and previously as Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force (2018–2021). Over a nearly 40-year career in defense, he led strategic transformation programs, integrated space and cyber into national and allied defense, and commanded multinational operations. A decorated fighter pilot with close to 3,000 flight hours and 50 combat missions, he brings deep expertise in strategy, security innovation, and international cooperation.

Currently, he serves as Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group and the GLOBSEC GeoTech Center, is a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA), advises Alta Ares (AI defense solutions), and sits on the Military Board of the Alvest Group. Through these roles, he bridges top-level defense leadership with cutting-edge technology and private sector innovation, providing Luminova with unique insights into dual-use technologies, security resilience, and defense market access.

Constantin Kinský is the CEO of Kinsky Žďár a.s., a family-owned enterprise committed to the sustainable management of natural resources and the revitalization of cultural heritage, including a UNESCO-listed estate. He is also an active angel investor and mentor, supporting technology-driven startups with a focus on innovation in environmental sustainability, including AI applications in forestry and clean energy solutions.

He brings over 15 years of international experience in corporate and investment banking in Paris, London, and Prague, followed by twelve years as Managing Partner of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants in Prague. There, he advised leading companies across financial services, energy, transportation, and private equity on strategy, restructuring, and growth.

From 2011 to 2020, he served as Chairman of the French-Czech Chamber of Commerce, reinforcing his strong cross-border business and diplomatic acumen.

Constantin combines strategic insight and decades of leadership experience across both the private and public sectors, with a focus on long-term value creation and cross-sector collaboration.

Susan E. Walton is a senior finance executive and geopolitical strategist with over 25 years of experience leading global institutional investment research at major banks in London, New York, and Hong Kong. She is a Senior Fellow at Globsec covering the Future of Financing of Defense and Security in Europe and the US, and serves on Globsec’s Women's Leadership Council. Susan is also Senior Advisor to ODI Global, Vice Chair of the CERGE-EI Foundation at Charles University, and Founder & Chair of the Price of War Conference. She has founded several ventures in technology and digital media focused on geo-economic and geopolitical analysis, and was awarded the Jan Masaryk Silver Medal by the Czech Government for her contributions to international relations. Susan was educated at Harvard University, London Business School, and University College London.

Petra Trubačová is an experienced marketing strategist and graphic designer with a diverse background spanning corporations, startups, and advertising agencies. At Behind Inventions, she leads strategic marketing across the portfolio, overseeing brand development and market entry strategies to drive business growth.

Her expertise covers brand building, digital campaigns, and content marketing, enabling her to craft effective strategies focused on self-sufficiency and brand expansion. Petra believes in finding the right combination of tools and approaches to support brand growth and global reach.

She has worked on high-impact projects, including Semantic Visions and FLOWBOX, where she shaped marketing, brand positioning, and visual identity. Additionally, she played a key role in establishing the brand and digital presence of the Prague Innovation Institute. She also worked as a marketing manager for the Czech company Scio, where she led marketing for individual clients and designed several products and the company’s online presence.

Petra seamlessly integrates graphic design and marketing into a results-driven approach. Her multidisciplinary expertise in design, marketing, strategy, PR, copywriting, and branding allows her to build cohesive and impactful narratives that resonate across European and U.S. markets.

With her strategic vision and innovative approach, Petra brings valuable marketing and brand-building expertise to Luminova Ventures, helping portfolio companies establish strong market positioning and long-term success.

Petr Jeníček oversees the financial and operational structure of Luminova Ventures, ensuring the seamless management of accounting, documentation, and internal compliance processes. With extensive experience in financial operations and corporate structuring, he plays a crucial role in maintaining the fund’s financial stability and regulatory compliance.

Having spent years managing financial and operational processes at Behind Inventions and previously at various non-banking financial institutions, Petr brings deep expertise in optimizing financial workflows, and ensuring smooth back-office operations. His strategic approach to fund administration supports Luminova Ventures in its long-term growth and sustainability.

Ethan is an Associate at Luminova Ventures and a graduate of the University of St Andrews. He represents the fund in the United Kingdom, focusing on sourcing, market research, due diligence, and portfolio analysis to identify high-conviction opportunities aligned with the fund’s investment strategy.

With a strong interest in transformative startups and a growing understanding of the European and Israeli security and technology ecosystem, Ethan plays an active role in supporting the team’s strategic execution through engagement with founders, partners, and key stakeholders. He is deeply committed to contributing to Luminova’s mission of backing companies that strengthen national security whilst continuing to build his expertise at the intersection of venture, technology, and security.

Raul is responsible for representing Luminova Ventures in Spain and Latin America, focusing on business development, investor relations, and expanding the fund’s presence in key international markets. With extensive experience in cross-border investments and a deep understanding of the Spanish-speaking financial ecosystem, he plays a vital role in identifying opportunities and fostering strategic partnerships.

His expertise lies in building strong relationships with investors, government institutions, and industry leaders to support Luminova’s growth in these regions. Through his work, Raul ensures that the fund effectively navigates the complexities of international markets and aligns with emerging investment trends in Spain and Latin America.

Jan Balatka is a technology-driven strategist specializing in AI, data analytics, and cyber risk management. As a partner at Behind Inventions, he focuses on identifying and evaluating cutting-edge technologies, assessing startups for business potential, and expanding the fund’s portfolio in AI-driven innovations.

With 18 years of experience at Deloitte, Jan held leadership roles in Analytics, AI, and eDiscovery, overseeing projects across Central Europe, Switzerland, Canada, and Germany. He played a key role in developing strategic alliances with major corporations, startups, and technology providers, shaping the adoption of AI and machine learning solutions.

Now also serving as Managing Director at Semantic Visions, Jan leverages his expertise to drive AI-powered risk intelligence and data analytics. His deep understanding of emerging technologies and strategic foresight make him a key player in shaping the future of AI-driven business solutions.

Lukáš Šebesta’s expertise lies at the intersection of cybersecurity and national defense, making him a crucial asset for Luminova Ventures. Lukáš brings a wealth of knowledge on cyber defense and emerging security needs. His insight ensures that Luminova’s investments in cybersecurity are both innovative and resilient, equipping companies with the technology to meet modern threats. Lukáš’s connections within the defense industry also provide valuable pathways for Luminova’s portfolio companies to access strategic partnerships and government-backed opportunities.

Olga Chabr Grillová is a visionary entrepreneur and investor, shaping the future of AI, fintech, and real estate innovation. As a Co-Founder of McEdison and Co-CEO of Leeaf, she is at the forefront of AI-driven business transformation, from revolutionizing fertility treatments to fostering groundbreaking technological solutions.

With a background in economics from the University of Utrecht and finance from the International University of Monaco, Olga has built a diverse career spanning real estate development, finance, and automation technologies. She previously served as CEO of Empirent, where she tripled revenue and led award-winning real estate projects. Additionally, her tenure at EY as an Advisory Consultant and RPA Specialist solidified her expertise in robotic process automation (RPA) and operational efficiency.

Beyond her corporate roles, Olga is the President of GWC World and a mentor for emerging startups. Her deep understanding of the technology landscape allows her to identify and invest in high-impact, transformative innovations, making her a key force in the evolving global business ecosystem.

Diana Rádl Rogerová is a seasoned executive and investor with a strong background in finance, strategy, and innovation. She is a partner at Behind Inventions, where she focuses on investing in high-potential startups in AI, data, and cybersecurity. She also serves as an independent board member of KBC Group, one of Europe’s leading financial institutions.

Before stepping into the world of venture capital, Diana spent nearly 26 years at Deloitte, rising from an entry-level role to Managing Partner of Deloitte Czech Republic and later Chief Strategic Officer for Deloitte Europe. She played a key role in shaping corporate strategies, fostering innovation, and driving digital transformation. Recognized as one of the most influential women in Czech business, she has been repeatedly featured in Forbes’ list of the most powerful women in the Czech Republic and was named Manager of the Year (2022) and Most Successful Woman in Consulting (2023) by CEO Magazine.

Beyond her investment and corporate roles, Diana is deeply engaged in initiatives that promote female leadership, financial literacy, and digital transformation. She is a member of the Inspire & Impact Network, a signatory of the Second Economic Transformation, and the founder of CzechSetGo!, a conference focused on digitalizing public administration. With a relentless drive to challenge the status quo, Diana continues to shape the future of business, technology, and leadership.