Tomas Čupr, the entrepreneurial force behind the European grocery unicorn Rohlik, is taking on a new venture, and this time it’s all about unshackling retail teams from repetitive manual tasks. Duvo, his latest startup, has successfully closed a $15 million seed funding round led by Index Ventures. For any entrepreneur who bootstraps their way into the business world, watching a seasoned founder secure investment at this scale carries invaluable lessons about focus, scalability, and solving real pain points.
From my perspective as the founder of Fe/male Switch, an incubator platform designed specifically for female entrepreneurs, I’ve often advised teams on how to strategically approach complex industries. What Tomas Čupr is doing with Duvo offers actionable ideas for disrupting traditional fields, without the need to reinvent their entire system infrastructure.
Understanding Duvo’s Mission
Duvo isn't about tearing down old systems; instead, it's offering retail teams an automated assistant to streamline operations without complicated development lifecycles. The technology works with existing tools, which include systems such as SAP, email portals, and spreadsheets, allowing non-technical teams to describe their tasks in plain language. Tomas and his team aim to give overworked retail professionals a workforce powered by AI agents instead of making them navigate technical jargon.
Their promise is bold: the rollout of these AI assistants won’t take years but mere weeks, which is a game-changer for companies under constant pressure to deliver daily outcomes in industries like fast-moving consumer goods. If you're a founder, particularly in Europe, this ambition to fully democratize accessibility in such a targeted way is an approach worth emulating.
What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Duvo’s Strategy
Before jumping into what makes Duvo tick, let me offer a quick checklist of lessons:
- Solve a Specific Problem: Tomas Čupr honed his ability to identify inefficiencies at Rohlik and tailored a product to fix bottlenecks directly. Saving time by automating mundane processes made the appeal immediate and measurable.
- Stay Close to the Industry: Duvo’s founders didn’t walk into retail fresh; they drew upon years of firsthand knowledge in groceries to address critical weaknesses.
- Rapid Adoption Matters: Unlike clunkier enterprise software that needs months of developer intervention, Tomas created a platform that can integrate fast, ensuring quicker results for clients from their day one.
The Numbers That Back It Up
Here’s what caught my attention within the data:
- 40% Reduction in Manual Work: That’s Duvo’s claim for eliminating inefficiencies with its AI workforce. Any founder knows that cutting down even a fraction of operational drudgery adds up to thousands, or millions, of euros over time.
- 15-Person Team with Big Players on Board: Despite the modest team size, the startup is already scaling large contracts in both retail and FMCG sectors. Investors like Credo Ventures, Northzone, and Puzzle Ventures clearly see the scalability and potential.
- Six-Figure Client Contracts: Their ability to draw clients with significant annual budgets highlights the business sector's hunger for tailored automation, especially in Europe’s sprawling retail markets.
A Quick How-To for Female Founders
As someone who’s worked extensively with female entrepreneurs navigating bootstrap constraints, here’s how I’d translate Duvo’s success into actionable advice:
- Map the Gaps: Dive deep into your segment. Talk to industry players and analyze processes that waste time or produce errors. Founders like Tomas succeed because they walk the same floors as their future customers.
- For Non-Tech Founders: Don’t be scared off by complex-sounding terms like API integration or AI. Teams like Duvo lead by making their tools accessible for average users. A no-code approach isn’t buzz, it’s the bridge that can take your idea into bigger markets.
- Start Small, Think Big: Much of Duvo’s focus has been laser-tight on retail, but Tomas’ approach leaves room to tackle operations in other industries plagued by similar problems. If you’re crafting a product, don’t dilute its focus too soon.
Mistakes to Avoid When Building Automation Tools
From my MBA days and my own journey through building startups, I know that chasing the wrong product goals can quickly derail well-meaning projects. Here’s a shortcut to avoid common pitfalls when launching systems that rely on process automation:
- Don’t Overpromise Features: Early adopters care more about performance than gimmicks. Focus on making one feature work flawlessly.
- Compromise on Ego, Not Quality: When Tomas prioritized non-technical ease of use, he likely had to forgo certain shortcuts or advanced possibilities early on. It paid off because clients saw the ease of deployment as an advantage outweighing extra bells and whistles.
- Avoid Complex Pricing Out of the Gate: Duvo is targeting longstanding inefficiencies, and their customers are less concerned with penny-pinching. If you sense a problem is big enough, find its economic sweet spot instead of underselling yourself.
Building Longevity Into Your Startup
As we celebrate Tomas’ funding win, start thinking about how longevity plays into your idea. Duvo is aligned for more growth partly because its solution isn’t locked to a single industry. Automation is indispensable, which will allow it to pivot across markets. You can replicate this mindset by designing your ventures with operational adaptability baked in.
But above all, remember this: founding a startup isn’t just about breaking things apart to build them up. Sometimes, like Tomas has demonstrated, focusing on clearing up the mess companies struggle to fix themselves is what builds true innovation. When I coach women entering STEM and startup ecosystems, this fundamental mindset is exactly why I encourage team-first, value-first approaches.
You can get inspired by digging deeper into Duvo’s plans here on Tech Funding News or by observing how other accelerators and incubators like Yes! Delft approach startup crafting.
FAQ
1. What is Duvo and who founded it?
Duvo is a no-code AI-driven platform that automates retail operations, reducing manual tasks and bottlenecks. It was co-founded by Tomas Čupr, the founder of European grocery unicorn Rohlik, alongside Marek Paris and Martin Pecha. Learn more about Duvo’s $15M funding
2. How much funding has Duvo raised and who are the investors?
Duvo successfully raised $15 million in a seed funding round led by Index Ventures, with participation from Credo Ventures, Northzone, Puzzle Ventures, and notable angel investors like Roy Reznik (Wiz), David Singleton (former Stripe CTO), and Kieran Flanagan (former Zapier CMO). Explore the details of Duvo’s funding
3. What problem is Duvo solving in the retail sector?
Duvo tackles inefficiencies in retail operations by automating time-consuming processes like data transfer, margin reviews, reconciliation, and promotions. Many retail companies rely on outdated manual workflows, which Duvo replaces with AI agents to streamline operations. Discover how Duvo is transforming retail automation
4. What makes Duvo different from traditional RPA (Robotic Process Automation) solutions?
Duvo’s no-code platform is specifically tailored for the retail sector and integrates seamlessly with existing tools like SAP, spreadsheets, portals, and email. Unlike general RPA solutions, Duvo focuses on operational simplicity, enabling rapid deployment in weeks rather than months. Read about Duvo’s unique approach
5. What are some specific tasks that Duvo’s AI agents can automate?
Duvo’s AI agents can automate various tasks, including weekly margin reviews, supplier invoice reconciliation, vendor onboarding, price changes, and assortment optimization, helping retail teams focus on strategic activities. Learn how Duvo eliminates manual tasks
6. What is the team size at Duvo, and what kind of contracts are they handling?
Duvo currently operates with a 15-person team and manages six-figure contracts with large retail and FMCG enterprises, demonstrating a hunger in the market for targeted automation solutions. Check out Duvo’s scaling strategy
7. Why is Duvo able to achieve such fast adoption by clients?
Duvo offers rapid deployment of its no-code platform, allowing retail teams to describe tasks in plain language and roll out AI-powered automations in weeks. This eliminates the need for extensive IT intervention and coding. Find out how Duvo achieves rapid deployments
8. Who led the investment in Duvo, and why is this significant?
The lead investor in Duvo’s $15M seed round was Index Ventures, renowned for backing companies like Figma and Revolut. This highlights the confidence in Duvo’s potential to disrupt retail operations with scalable AI solutions. Explore Index Ventures’ role in Duvo’s funding
9. How is Duvo enabling non-technical retail teams to use AI?
Duvo’s user-friendly platform allows commercial and finance teams to deploy AI agents using plain language rather than complex coding. This democratizes access to AI capabilities across retail organizations. Learn more about Duvo’s accessibility for non-technical users
10. What potential does Duvo have for expansion beyond the retail sector?
While Duvo is currently laser-focused on retail and FMCG automation, its core technology has the flexibility to address operational complexities in other industries, positioning it for future market expansion. Find out about Duvo’s growth potential
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
