Three minutes to pitch, four minutes for questions, and plenty of takeaways for the next stage of development. That was the format of the second round of Startup Connect, a programme run by the Innovation Centre of the Košice Region (ICKK). In late April 2026, we took another step towards turning our robotics work into a solution that delivers clear value to customers.
After being selected among the programme’s seven finalists, we had the opportunity to present the progress of Invelogy Patrol: our approach to autonomous security that brings together mobile robots, sensors and AI-powered software.
Three minutes to pitch. Four minutes to answer questions.
When you have three minutes to introduce your company, there is no time to walk through every technical detail. You need to explain the problem, show how you intend to solve it and make the value clear to the people listening.
The following four-minute Q&A tests whether you can discuss the business beyond the prepared slides. For us, that combination of a focused pitch and direct feedback was one of the most useful parts of the second round.
It pushes us to distinguish between what is impressive from an engineering perspective and what genuinely matters to a customer.
From a robotics prototype to a compelling use case
At Invelogy, we are developing autonomous robotic security solutions for industrial sites, facilities and other locations where regular inspections are essential. Our vision goes beyond a mobile camera: a robot should be part of a broader system that monitors a site, helps identify events worth investigating and gives security personnel the information they need to respond.
Engineering remains central to what we do. Autonomous navigation, sensors, software integration and reliable operation all matter. But prospective customers also need straightforward answers: What problem does the robot solve? How will it fit into existing security operations? And what tangible value can it deliver day to day?
Startup Connect is helping us answer those questions more clearly. Building a useful product requires more than lab development; it requires input from the people who will use it or decide whether to deploy it.
Feedback that challenges our assumptions
The second round gave us specific feedback on both the product and the way we present it. When building deep technology, it is easy to concentrate on specifications and new features. Explaining why those features matter in a concise, accessible way is much harder.
That is why we see mentoring sessions, challenging questions and conversations with programme partners as part of the development process. They help us set priorities, refine our thinking about the business model and prepare for discussions with customers and investors.
A useful question can be just as valuable as a successful demonstration.
Next priority: Pilot customer testing
At the time of the second round, we were also working towards completing testing with a pilot customer. Real-world experience is essential to shaping the next stage of Invelogy Patrol.
A live environment reveals things that a slide deck or a lab test cannot fully capture: how the robot handles a particular site, what dependable day-to-day operation requires and how an autonomous system should work alongside human operators.
Our aim is to develop the technology into a service with a clearly defined use case and measurable benefits. We will communicate the outcomes of the pilot based on results that have actually been verified.
Part of a longer journey
Round two reinforced something we have learned throughout our work: building a robotics company is not only about engineering robots. It also takes listening, clear communication and a willingness to turn feedback into action.
Thank you to ICKK and the Startup Connect programme partners for the opportunity to present Invelogy, exchange ideas and receive constructive feedback. We left with fresh perspectives and a clearer sense of what to focus on next.
Photo gallery: Startup Connect, round two
