From networking to investment: How WALLY SYSTEMS met their investor
Founders Exclusive is a network and community for founders at INCUBA, where founders from different companies meet to share experiences, perspectives, and challenges. This time, the format was expanded to Founders Exclusive X Investor Meetup, bringing founders and INCUBA’s network of investors together in a setting that allowed for more informal conversations and relationship building.
For Jonas, it was precisely this informal format that made the Founders Exclusive X Investor Meetup event interesting.
“Since becoming part of INCUBA, we have been interested in the network that exists within the ecosystem. Both because it’s fun, but especially because it’s relaxed and interesting. At the INCUBA Founders Exclusive event, we were at Aarhus Theatre for a simple brunch with some great presentations, and you get to meet each other in a slightly different way than when you normally participate in formal networking events,” he explains.
CEO and Founder of WALLY SYSTEMS, Jonas Warncke, with Sales Manager August Hald and their investor, Jan Facius, INCUBA Navitas.
Jonas, August and Lærke spoke with investor Jan Facius, who was curious about what they were working on. They told him about WALLY SYSTEMS, where they develop AI-based digital employees that help companies with tasks such as sales and administration. For example, the company’s chatbot acts as a digital salesperson on websites, while Wally Mail can prepare responses to incoming emails, making day-to-day communication faster and easier to manage.
But the conversation quickly became about more than technology and business. It evolved into a discussion about the company, but just as much about who Jonas, August and Lækre are as people, and that was precisely what caught Jan Facius’ interest.
“Their energy and drive caught my attention, and especially the fact that they hadn’t borrowed any money yet. They showed discipline and a focus on costs before introducing new initiatives. They demonstrated politeness and humility, while at the same time signaling that we know we can do this,” Jan explains.
From networking conversation to investment
The meeting was not a traditional investor pitch, where Jonas would present revenue figures, growth curves and a pitch deck. Instead, the conversation developed naturally as part of the networking environment created by INCUBA. And that was exactly what made the difference.
“Normally, it becomes a kind of an exam like conversation about how far along you are, how much revenue you generate, and so on. From the beginning, I had said that I didn’t want investors involved because you lose some grip and control over your company. But when we talked to Jan, I could feel that he was also genuinely interested in our success,” Jonas explains.
After the event, the conversation continued on LinkedIn before they met for a coffee at INCUBA. From there, the relationship developed naturally through several conversations, and for Jan, the initial focus was on getting to know Jonas and the team better. The subsequent conversations confirmed his first impression of both the company and the team.
Today, that relationship has turned into an investment, giving WALLY SYSTEMS the opportunity to accelerate its growth.
“It has allowed us to accelerate significantly. Without Jan’s investment, we might only have been able to move forward at half the pace. It has given us more momentum, a stronger financial foundation and the security to deliver even greater value to the business going forward. We’ve been given the opportunity to really take things to the next level,” Jonas says.
More than an investor meeting
For Jonas, the story is also an example of why something special can happen when founders and investors have the opportunity to meet in settings other than traditional pitch events.
“It really means a lot, because there is always something to take away from it. When it’s an informal setup, you can walk away with an investment or a business network, but you can also walk away simply with some interesting thoughts and different perspectives. So it’s not just about the commercial side,” Jonas elaborates.
He therefore has some clear advice for other founders considering attending events with investors:
“Do it, enjoy it and relax. Go as if it were an event with your friends. Investors like ours are also just people who have a lot to offer.”
For Jan Facius, the advice to other investors is just as simple:
“Do it! But be aware of your own role in reaching out. You have to take the initiative yourself.”
For WALLY SYSTEMS, the meeting at Founders Exclusive X Investor Meetup marked the beginning of a relationship that ultimately became an investment. It highlights the value of creating environments where founders and investors can meet on equal terms, build relationships, exchange perspectives and create new opportunities together.