Sven Lackinger from Sastrify: From Successful Exit to $7 Million Funding Round

About this episode

Sven Lackinger knows both the highs and challenges of the entrepreneurial journey. As one of the two founders of Sastrify, he has already created his second entrepreneurial success – a Software-as-a-Service solution for efficient software license procurement.

From First Exit to Second Venture

After successfully selling his first startup Evopark, which he founded together with his former roommates and sold to a mid-sized company, Lackinger faced the question: What's next? He found the answer together with his co-founder Maximilian in a problem they knew from personal experience – the complex and often inefficient procurement of software licenses in companies.

Sastrify addresses exactly this challenge and helps companies optimize their software procurement, save costs, and maintain oversight of their SaaS landscape.

Learnings from the First Venture

With his second venture, Lackinger benefited significantly from his experiences with Evopark. The key differences:

• –Focused recruiting: Early hires were approached more strategically
• –Clearer task distribution between founders from the beginning
• –More conscious business model development with focus on sustainable profitability
• –Structured approach to testing and achieving product-market fit

These learnings paid off: Sastrify recently completed an impressive $7 million funding round, with participants including HV Capital and two of the FlixBus founders.

Strategic Deployment of $7 Million

With the fresh funding, Sastrify pursues clear objectives. The capital flows primarily into two areas: building a strong, international team and further product development. Particularly in recruiting, the company relies on remote-first structures that enable them to attract the best talent worldwide.

Lackinger emphasizes the importance of the right hiring strategy for early-stage startups: "Who and how do I hire first?" is one of the most critical questions for any founder. At Sastrify, the focus was on finding people who not only excel professionally but also fit the company culture.

Remote-First as Competitive Advantage

A particular focus lies on remote work culture. Sastrify has created structures from the beginning that make distributed work not just possible, but efficient. This decision opens access to a global talent pool and enables the company to operate in multiple countries simultaneously.

The challenges are real – from different time zones to legal frameworks and cultural differences. But the advantages outweigh them: access to the best talent worldwide and the ability to be closer to various target markets.

When Does Software Procurement Become a Problem?

A key insight from Lackinger's experience: Companies should start thinking systematically about software license procurement early on. Often this topic is underestimated until costs and complexity get out of hand.

Sastrify demonstrates that even in seemingly "boring" B2B areas, innovative solutions can emerge that create real value. With the right team, learnings from previous ventures, and a clear vision, successful companies can be built even in established markets.

For aspiring founders, Lackinger's story offers valuable insights: Success is rarely accidental, but rather the result of learning, adapting, and consistent execution.