Business Stories with Šárka Betke — From bootstrapping to exit: building a wine distribution business
Business Stories is a conversation series about how real businesses are built, operated, and eventually transitioned. The focus is on decisions, trade-offs, and long-term thinking rather than tactics or trends.
This session features Šárka Betke, founder of Vinofactum, a Berlin-based wine importer and distributor focused on natural wines from Central and Eastern Europe.
After becoming a mother, Šárka left her stable career in fintech and founded Vinofactum in 2020, growing it to a combined revenue of over €1M without external funding. She built a trusted discovery platform shaped by close, long-term relationships with producers and loyal B2B clients. The business grew through disciplined commercial decisions in a traditional and highly competitive market.
The conversation follows the full arc of the business, from the shift out of a well-paid director role to doing everything alone, through the hard trade-offs of bootstrapping and the reality of being an immigrant founder, to preparing a company for exit.
Who this event is for
Founders building bootstrapped or capital-efficient businesses
Operators running distribution, wholesale, or product-led companies
Entrepreneurs in food, beverage, retail, or traditional industries
Business owners thinking about an exit in the coming years
Investors, advisors, and ecosystem builders interested in founder-led companies
It is designed for people who value practical experience over abstract frameworks.
What you will take away
A realistic view of how a bootstrapped business evolves over time
Insights into sourcing, pricing, and portfolio discipline
A grounded perspective on preparing for exit without rushing growth
Lessons on trust and relationships as a competitive advantage
Clear examples of decisions that shaped long-term outcomes
🗓 Agenda
18:00 – Doors open & informal networking
18:30 – Fireside chat & open Q&A with Šárka Betke
19:30 – Relaxed networking
Supported by
✨ This event is proudly supported by Jimmy Technologies and Uppersky.
By registering for this event, you consent to being photographed during the evening. Selected photos may be used in future event promotions. The attendee list may also be shared with fellow guests to support new connections.