Michael Ströck

You absolutely need to hear about Michael Ströck, this guy’s a straight-up legend in the startup world, especially if you’re into health tech and deep tech. He’s an Austrian dude who’s been crushing it for over a decade. Started out way back in 2012 with KochAbo, which was this e-commerce thing. He was the CEO, built it from scratch, and ended up selling it to Marley Spoon, no small feat, right? That move set him up real good, showing he’s got the hustle and knows how to build and scale.

Then, in 2016, he jumped into Gustav, a tech company, as a Co-Founder and CTO. Basically, he was running the tech and helping steer the ship. Sitting on the board, too, the real deal. That’s when he really started digging into the tech side, blending it with business smarts.

Fast forward to 2017, he jumped into Y Combinator. No Cap, YC is a big change, it’s where founders go to level up, learn, and connect with the best investors. That experience? It’s like a badge of honor but also shows he’s serious about growth and learning from the best.

Post-YC, Michael didn’t stop. In 2021, he co-founded First Circle Capital, an investment firm that’s all about backing early-stage startups, mainly in deep tech, health, SaaS, and e-commerce. Basically, he’s now not just building stuff but also fueling the next wave of entrepreneurs. His focus is on pre-seed to Series A, meaning he’s into those early bucks that can turn into big things.

But here’s the kicker, he’s also involved in his family business, Ströck Brot, one of Austria’s biggest bakeries. So, the guy is kinda balancing the old school with the new school, running a legacy business while also pushing the envelope with tech and VC.

What does this all say about him? Man, he’s super driven, no bullshit. He’s someone who’s not afraid to start from scratch, learn, and then scale big. He’s got this grit to build businesses and then turn around and invest in others. It’s like he’s always looking for the future trend, but with a solid foundation of what it takes to actually make shit happen.

Honestly, Michael’s story is about hustle, smart moves, and a real passion for tech and health. He’s the guy who’s been there, done that, and now helps others do the same. If you’re into startups, this is the kind of guy you want in your corner, someone who’s proven he can go from zero to hero, and now he’s helping others do the same.