Jan Veselý

Before the Quantum Computing

2011-2024 - Education - Entrepreneurship - Social Innovation

From 2011 to 2024, my career evolved towards education, entrepreneurship, and social innovation, while building upon my background in IT and product management.

In 2011, I founded Struct s.r.o., where I began consulting startups and running workshops as a Lean Startup Mentor. My work in this period focused on helping budding entrepreneurs refine their business models and successfully launch their ventures. My passion for entrepreneurship was further showcased through my involvement in the Social Impact Award program, where I mentored finalists in Lean Startup methodologies.

In 2012, I created EduFórum, organizing networking events and workshops that promoted innovation in education across the Czech Republic. Additionally, from 2013 to 2020, I directed Lean Startup CZ, where I spearheaded programs such as the Vodafone Foundation Laboratory, supporting technological non-profits and social businesses. These experiences solidified my role as a leader in driving social innovation and creating impactful entrepreneurial ecosystems.

Parallel to my professional growth, I earned a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations and European Studies from Metropolitan University Prague in 2012, with a focus on social business initiatives. This second degree was a natural extension of my work in social impact and education, providing me with a deeper understanding of the intersection between business, education, and social change.

In addition to my work with startups and innovation labs, I was heavily involved in corporate and youth-focused initiatives. As a leader of IBM Smarter University, I was responsible for a program for interns to train on real business challenges. My involvement in the Alliance for Youth by Nestlé program allowed me to meet with similarly focused people from a wide range of companies.

Since 2018, I have served as a Teacher at Charles University's Centre for Knowledge and Technology Transfer, where I lead the Innovation Laboratory and the Start a Project Course. Here, I guided students and professionals in developing innovative solutions to real-world problems, blending my expertise in entrepreneurship and education. At the same time, I have worked as a Learning Designer at Slevomat.cz, focusing on leadership programs and workshops that foster personal and professional growth.

Over the past decade, I have merged my technical background with my passion for education and social innovation, establishing myself as a leader in both the startup and academic worlds, and working tirelessly to create a lasting social impact.

Innovation Labs

I was focused on transforming the Czech Republic into a leading innovation hub in Europe, one accelerator program at a time. I developed methodologies, facilitated workshops, and mentored mainly social startups to help bring their innovative ideas to market.

Startup Workshops

I ran numerous workshops for startups, corporations, and innovation centres. My focus was on helping intrapreneurs, product managers, and aspiring entrepreneurs refine ideas into viable products using tools like Lean Canvas, Results Chain, and Risk Mapping.

Key Workshops & Clients:

Workshop Highlights:

These workshops helped teams align on vision, mitigate risks, and gain real-world insights from customer feedback.

Online Courses

I developed a free, fast-paced online course on Lean Canvas, perfect for those new to business modelling.

Future of Work

I have been actively involved in guiding individuals through the evolving landscape of work, focusing on career guidance, life design, and showcasing technological impacts.

Key Initiatives:

Changemakers

Changemakers are innovators who prioritize societal and environmental impact. I've supported these forward-thinking individuals through various initiatives.

Key Projects:

European Young Leaders

In 2015, I was honoured as a 40under40 European Young Leader, a program by Friends of Europe that connects and promotes the continent's most promising talents to foster a stronger European identity.

More info: European Young Leaders

2000-2011 - IT - Product Management

From 2000 to 2011, I developed a robust foundation in IT and product management, complemented by my academic pursuits. My career journey began in 2000 at Nostromo ICT, where I worked as a Programmer specializing in mobile content websites. This early experience honed my technical skills, allowing me to contribute effectively to the growing demand for mobile technology.

In 2005, I co-founded Refresh s.r.o., where I took on the role of Director of the Development Department. In this position, I led a team of developers and managed the full lifecycle of development projects, which helped solidify my leadership and project management capabilities.

From 2006 to 2011, I worked as a Product Manager at CoMoGa s.r.o., focusing on the delivery and maintenance of online and mobile products. During this period, I deepened my expertise in managing product lifecycles, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the successful implementation of ICT projects.

In parallel with my professional growth, I pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Information Management from the College of Information Management and Business Administration in 2007. This degree provided me with a solid academic foundation, further enhancing my ability to navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

This decade of experience laid the groundwork for my transition into leadership and innovation roles, where I combined my technical background with product management strategies to drive successful initiatives beyond the digital realm.