Heinrich Stefan Prokop
{{Short description|Austrian entrepreneur}}
Heinrich Stefan Prokop (b. 1962) is an Austrian entrepreneur and venture investor. He is known for his investments in Fast-moving consumer goods startup companies. He has held several roles in the cereal and snack industry and is the founding partner of the startup accelerator Clever Clover (based in Amsterdam).{{cite web |last1=GrieBer-Wind |first1=Christina |title=Start-ups auf den Tellern |url=https://www.cash.at/handel/news/rewe-international-start-ups-auf-den-tellern-27297 |website=Cash Das Handelsmagazin |language=German |date=22 September 2022}}
Early life and education
Heinrich Stefan Prokop was born in Vienna in 1962. He studied marketing, controlling, and process engineering, completing various qualifications in Austria and Germany.{{cite web |last1=Czaja |first1=Wojciech |title=Unternehmer: "Im Garten riecht's nach Schoko, Nüssen und Erdbeer, was will man mehr" |url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/3000000217498/unternehmer-im-garten-riechts-nach-schoko-nuessen-und-erdbeer-was-will-man-mehr |website=Der Standard |language=German |date=29 April 2024}}
Career
Prokop began his career in the 1980s, holding marketing and managerial positions. In the 1990s, he joined cereal manufacturer Gutschermühle Traismauer where he became its managing director.{{cite web |last1=Wirminghaus |first1=Niklas |title=Österreichs Startup-Show ist zurück – Live-Übertragung auf Gründerszene |url=https://www.businessinsider.de/gruenderszene/allgemein/2-minuten-2-millionen-live/ |website=Business Insider |language=German |date=11 February 2015}} During his time at Gutschermühle, he expanded the company internationally following Austria’s entry into the European Economic Area.{{cite web |last1=Redaktion |first1=Die Grunderszene |title=„2 Minuten 2 Millionen“ live auf Gründerszene |url=https://www.businessinsider.de/gruenderszene/allgemein/2m2m-stream-2017/ |website=Business Insider |date=18 April 2017}}
Prokop became a venture capitalist and startup advisor beginning in 2009. He founded or managed several companies such as Prokop’sche Vermögensverwaltungs GmbH and NEO BV, and led the cereal bar acquisition for the HACO Group. In 2013, Prokop co-founded Clever Clover BV, a startup accelerator headquartered in Amsterdam.{{cite web |last1=Thomas |first1=Alex Erber |title=Ein Riegel erobert das Land |url=https://www.mueslibar.com/fileadmin/Ein-Riegel-erobert-das-Land_NOEN_20180404.pdf |website=Non |language=German |date=4 April 2018}} The accelerator provides guidance to FMCG companies from early-stage to market. Through its affiliated funds, Prokop has invested in over 30 startups, mainly in the food, snacks, and consumer products industries. He was also awarded the Goldene Ehrenzeichen in 2014 for his services to the region's business sector.{{cite web |last1=Erber |first1=Julia |title=Hohe Ehrung des Landes Niederösterreich für Heinrich Prokop |url=https://www.meinbezirk.at/herzogenburgtraismauer/c-leute/hohe-ehrung-des-landes-niederoesterreich-fuer-heinrich-prokop_a999654 |website=MeinBezirk |language=German |date=26 June 2014}}
Beginning in 2015, Prokop has been a panel member on 2 Minuten 2 Millionen, a startup pitch show that has been described as the Austrian version of Shark Tank. On the show, he has become known as the "müsli mann."{{cite web |last1=Hinterkorner-Zauner |first1=Gabi |title=Die innovativsten Start-ups des LEH |url=https://www.cash.at/handel/news/rewe-billa-unterstuetzt-start-ups-29243 |website=Cash Das Handelsmagazin |language=German |date=19 September 2023}} As of 2024, he has implemented projects with over 50 startups that were on the show.{{cite web |last1=Erber |first1=Alex |title=Traismaurer Heinrich Prokop verlässt 2 Minuten 2 Millionen |url=https://www.noen.at/herzogenburg/abschied-heinrich-prokop-verlaesst-2-minuten-2-millionen-417940025 |website=Non |language=German |date=17 April 2024}}
Prokop sits on the jury of Austria's "glaub an dich challenge," the country's startup contest for young founders.{{cite web |title=glaubandich Challenge-Finale am 3. April: Jetzt anmelden und 11 Startups beim Pitchen anfeuern |url=https://www.trendingtopics.eu/glaubandich-challenge-finale-am-3-april-jetzt-anmelden-und-11-startups-beim-pitchen-anfeuern/ |website=Trending Topics |language=German |date=2 April 2024}} He also leads the "startup ticket" initiative with REWE International AG.{{cite web |title=Startup Ticket: Die Pipeline für Gründer:innen in den Supermarkt |url=https://www.trendingtopics.eu/startup-ticket-die-schnellste-pipeline-fuer-gruenderinnen-in-den-supermarkt/ |website=Trending Topics |language=German |date=19 April 2023}}
References
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