Founders Force

Martin is a founder, investor, and marketing strategist with over 15 years of experience shaping the Czech digital landscape. He co-founded Inspiro, a pioneering digital agency that became part of the largest agency acquisition in Czech history. Along the way, he helped develop the customer-service SaaS Brand Embassy — later acquired by NICE — combining entrepreneurial drive with deep expertise in product, technology, and customer experience.

Following these successful exits, Martin joined Publicis Group & MSL Networks in Prague, where he led the development of digital-transformation processes both internally and across global and local clients. His work bridged creative strategy, analytics, and business transformation, helping brands navigate the shift toward data-driven, performance-oriented marketing.

Today, Martin focuses on supporting entrepreneurs and startups, applying his rare blend of creative thinking, data insights, and operational know-how to help founders grow and position their businesses for scale.

Max Hasler is a seasoned entrepreneur and technology leader with a decade of experience building and scaling KONUX, a pioneering company at the intersection of AI, IoT, and railway infrastructure. As COO, he has demonstrated exceptional expertise in business operations, financial management, and organizational leadership, particularly in deep tech environments. His background in digital transformation and industrial innovation has positioned him as a valuable advisor for startups navigating complex technological landscapes and scaling challenges.

Beyond his technical acumen, Max brings a unique perspective that balances technological innovation with humanitarian impact. His work with Help99 supporting Ukraine and his role at The Yope Foundation highlight his commitment to purpose-driven ventures. Max offers founders practical guidance on operational excellence, strategic growth, and building companies with meaningful global impact, drawing from his hands-on experience in both entrepreneurship and social initiatives. His combination of AI/ML knowledge, operational expertise, and values-based leadership makes him an invaluable resource for founders seeking to create sustainable, transformative businesses.

Matej Turek is a distinguished Czech entrepreneur and investor who combines traditional business ownership with forward-thinking tech investments. As the founder of 10x Fund, which effectively operates as his family office, actively investing into venture capital opportunities, focusing on both technology and non-technology sectors. His investment portfolio showcases his diverse interests, including the ownership of the historic football club FC Dukla Prague, while maintaining an active presence in the European tech ecosystem through strategic investments in early-stage companies.

Michal is a prominent Czech tech entrepreneur and angel investor, known for founding the search engine Jyxo and more recently, Zuri, a company developing hybrid VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) aircraft. 

With extensive experience in building and scaling technology companies, Illich has been instrumental in shaping the Czech startup ecosystem. His role as a mentor and early investor at StartupYard, one of Central Europe's leading startup accelerators, has helped nurture numerous emerging tech companies.A

s an entrepreneur and investor, Michal’s expertise spans search technology, internet services, and more recently, artificial intelligence and aerospace technology for autonomous aviation. His strategic vision and deep understanding of both technical and business aspects have made him a valuable advisor to startups in the region. 

Through his involvement in various tech ventures, he has built a strong track record of identifying and supporting innovative tech companies.

Pavel Nepala is the Managing Partner of Renomia, one of the largest independent insurance brokers in Central and Eastern Europe. Under his leadership, Renomia has embraced digital transformation, implementing advanced technological solutions to modernize insurance brokerage services. Nepala has been particularly focused on leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance risk assessment processes and improve customer experience in the insurance sector.
Beyond his role at Renomia, Nepala is known for his strategic investments in technology startups, particularly those focused on insurtech and fintech solutions. He has been an active advocate for digital innovation in the traditional insurance industry, supporting various initiatives that bridge the gap between established insurance practices and emerging technologies. His vision for the future of insurance includes the integration of AI-driven analytics, automated underwriting processes, and blockchain technology for more transparent and efficient insurance operations.

Petr Andrysek is a Czech entrepreneur and digital innovator with significant expertise in e-commerce, gaming and enterprise software solutions. As the founder of MADMONQ, he has pioneered supplements designed specifically for esports athletes and gamers, while through SocialSharks, he has established one of the leading social media marketing agencies in the region. His entrepreneurial ventures demonstrate his ability to identify and capitalize on emerging digital trends, combining technological innovation with strategic market positioning.

CEO and Investor at RockawayQ, a new division of Rockaway Capital focused on industry digitalization and AI transformation. A prominent Czech fintech entrepreneur with experience at Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank, Michal founded Twisto, a BNPL payment solutions company that served over a million customers across CEE before its €89 million acquisition by Zip Co in 2021. He currently serves as a non-executive director at Dodo, Malcom Finance, and Vocalls.

Tomáš is a seasoned entrepreneur and operator, with four startups under his belt and two successful exits. He served as CEO and Co‑Founder of HotelQuickly, scaling it across 15+ markets in APAC, raising $15 M, and driving revenues past $100 M with a 120+ person team before a private-equity-backed acquisition.

After exiting, Tomáš joined Leap by McKinsey as an associate partner, leading digital venture builds—like launching Makro PRO, a B2B supply-chain platform in Thailand that hit a 4.75‑star app rating and tens of thousands of daily orders within months.

Today, he co-leads SEA Founders, a community for growth-stage tech CEOs in Southeast Asia, and continues advising startups, investing selectively, and hosting The Venture podcast, where he deep-dives into scaling tech-enabled businesses in complex markets.

Tomáš brings hands-on expertise in early-stage scaling, product-market fit, remote team leadership, and navigating acquisitions—making him a go-to mentor for founders building real-world, growth-focused ventures.

Jason King is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of expertise in telecommunications, digital transformation, and corporate leadership. His extensive experience in navigating complex international markets and driving business transformations makes him an invaluable advisor for startup founders facing scaling challenges. As a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors with a background spanning major corporations like Yettel, VEON, UPC, and Deutsche Telekom, Jason brings strategic insight on board management, corporate partnerships, and efficient operational structures that early-stage companies can leverage for sustainable growth.

For founders looking to disrupt traditional industries or scale across diverse markets, Jason offers specialized knowledge in strategic planning, digital transformation, and navigating corporate relationships. His proven track record in driving profitability in challenging markets across Europe, combined with his marketing and commercial leadership expertise, provides startup founders with practical guidance on market positioning, customer acquisition strategies, and creating effective growth frameworks. Jason's unique perspective bridges the gap between corporate innovation approaches and startup agility, offering founders a blueprint for balancing rapid scaling with sustainable business practices.

Vera is an experienced impact and startup investor. At 4P Capital she leads the firm’s early-stage investment strategy with a focus on purpose-driven innovation. Passionate about empowering founders, she has made over 30 angel investments across Europe and North America and actively mentors emerging entrepreneurs.

Before joining 4P, Vera was a Venture Partner at an early-stage impact fund and served as Director of the Founders Institute in Paris, helping shape dozens of young European startups. Her background also includes operating roles in venture-backed companies and investing in early-stage ventures across Europe and Africa.

A former Capitol Hill insider, Vera spent eight years in senior campaign and congressional roles, including Deputy Chief of Staff and National Finance Director for leading US political figures. She also worked in Public Finance on Wall Street, giving her a unique perspective on leadership, policy, and capital.

Vera holds dual degrees in Political Science and Ethnic Studies from Mills College and pursued graduate studies at Howard University and Columbia University in New York. She sits on The Hoop Circular Investors Board, mentors at Techstars Sustainability Paris, and is the founder of For Colored Girls Who Tech—a community celebrating and elevating women of color in tech and venture.

Within the United Founders community, Vera represents the spirit of global collaboration and founder empathy, bridging diverse worlds—from policy to tech—to help entrepreneurs turn impact into scale.