US Expand 2025: Meet the Speakers

Hydra Consulting

Sep 22, 2025

7 mins read

Our annual networking event – US Expand 2025 – will once again bring together client stories, actionable insights, and proven strategies to help you succeed with your US expansion.

We will focus on sales strategies, funding opportunities for startups and what it really takes for Czech tech and AI companies to succeed in the US.

You’ll learn:

• how a Czech tech company landed its first US client within just four years of operating

• at what stage should startups decide to expand to the US

• what are the most common mistakes in US sales strategy

US Expand 2025 program

📅 When: October 23, 2025, from 4:30 PM
📍 Where: WorkLounge Panská 2, Prague

Program US Expand 2025:

4:30 PM Welcome drink
4:45 – 5:00 PM Official opening
5:00 – 5:45 PM Panel discussion

• Vojta Roček, Partner, Presto Ventures

• Josef Šachta, CEO, Sharry

• Simon Dery, Sales and Client Growth Expert in the US

5:45 – 6:00 PM Q&A
6:00 – 7:30 PM Networking and American-style reception

The event will be held in English.

Meet the Speakers

Vojta Roček, Partner, Presto Ventures

Vojta Roček is a Czech investor and co-founder of the analytics start-up Stories, which he successfully sold to the American company, Workday, an AI platform for people, money, and agents. After spending some time at Workday, Vojta knew his true calling was to support other startups on their journey.

Today, he is a Partner at Presto Ventures, where he invests in technology companies and has built an impressive portfolio of 60+ startups funded by private capital. He also stands behind the Czech Startup Association, which strives to improve Czech regulatory environment to accommodate ESOP and other crucial changes.

“Expansion to the U.S. was essential for our early exit and a buyout. Next time, I’d do it even earlier.”

Josef Šachta, CEO, Sharry

Josef Šachta is the co-founder and CEO of the PropTech startup Sharry, which successfully expanded to the US market with its very first client — the developer of New York City’s iconic One Vanderbilt building.

Sharry is one of our newer clients, but Josef has always recognized the potential of the US market, and he plans to relocate there to further accelerate the company’s growth.

Simon Dery, Sales and Client Growth Expert in the US

Simon Dery is our Sales and Client Growth Director in the US and has more than 25 years of experience in closing deals, building brands, and scaling businesses. Over the years, he has raised millions in capital, led high-performing teams, and built a truly global network.

At Hydra Consulting, Simon is the inside voice that asks the right questions and pushes clients forward on their journey to US market expansion. Based in Miami, Florida, he regularly travels to Europe to stay in touch with clients and their growth plans.

“We’re seeing a historic shift. Trillions of dollars in business investment are moving into the US. European companies that act quickly can ride that wave. There’s never been a better time to expand operations, build sales channels, and raise capital in the US than right now!”