Born and raised in France and having completed my undergraduate studies in the US, I was obviously destined to become a venture capitalist based in the Czech Republic. More seriously, I have always tried to steer my professional life in a way that would give me access to people I could learn from. In the early years of a career, that meant latching on to a mentor, working in consulting for senior executives of large corporations. That quickly got stale though, once the learning curve of a new industry left place to the politics of serving a customers’ corporate ladder ambitions. That is when I first heard of venture capital which felt like a cheat code. Here was a chance to work with and learn from a new crop of people who were so passionate and determined they refused to go work for someone else, deciding to bet on themselves instead. 

In a life-is-really-random-moment, this also coincided with a time when my wife convinced me to move to her home country, the Czech Republic, with its sample size of 1.5 VC fund, at the time. But serendipity has its ways and that VC fund, Credo obviously, happened to be launching its second fund and in need of an associate. More twists and turns, half way through fund three, I thought my VC trajectory had run its course when the itch to finally get a bit more operational became a reality. I joined my own portfolio company, going from quizzing the CEO and CFO on board meetings to asking for a job. But Credo wasn’t done with me or maybe I wasn’t done with Credo, because two years later and the launch of fund four, I rejoined the dark side. 

On the personal side (although VC has a way to blend private and professional), you’re more likely to find me in the mountains than on a beach (except if kitesurfing is involved). Both in the summer (rock climbing, hiking) and in the winter (ski-touring), they are my happy place. I also decided to deal with mid-life crisis by participating in triathlons instead of paying for therapy like a normal person. Maybe the former will come out cheaper than the later if I stop spending money on bikes.