Ondřej Štěpánek
Ondřej works as an investment manager at Miton. His main focus is on real estate, HR, hospitality and travel. However, he also likes to venture into other fields and looks for synergies across the portfolio. He is responsible for companies such as Boataround, Qerko, Reas and UlovDomov. Ondřej is a graduate from the University of Economics in Prague and its international CEMS programme, and spent part of his studies in Helsinki. Before joining Miton he worked as a project manager at O2. He is married with two children and he likes to enjoy his free time in the mountains.
Current projects
Qerko
Septim
UlovDomov
Reas
Boataround
Investment areas
Gastro Tech
Real Estate Tech
What business topics keep you busy right now?
Since I'm more involved in younger projects, I try to help them with their transformation into bigger and more mature ones. It's often a test for the whole company. And also for myself. :)
What projects are most interesting to you, either in terms of their segment or their approach? Who can seek you out?
Anyone can seek me out.:) I'm not set in my ways in this regard. More important to me than the segment is the mission of the project and the enthusiasm of its founders to fulfil it.
What technologies do you find the most fascinating these days?
Artificial Intelligence. So much so that it gives me chills at times.
How would you describe your work style?
As diverse. I like to combine different routines and work patterns. I enjoy having meetings all day just as much as I like to spend it immersed in spreadsheets.
Where do you most often spend your working hours?
I like a bit of alteration here as well. Sometimes with my colleagues in the office, other times at my cottage for instance.
What advice do you often give to founders?
I don’t really give them much advice. I rather guide them so that they can figure it out on their own. :)
What is the best thing about your job?
The team. Miton’s projects are connected through shared values that bring our “family” closer together.
On the contrary, what is the hardest part?
Prioritising! There are just so many opportunities!
What do you like about your job at Miton?
The freedom. Confidence. Values.
Which book do you like to give as a present?
I’d rather give someone a ”slivovice” (plum brandy).
What has stood the test of time for you, i.e. what have you dedicated yourself to regularly for several years already?
My wife and kids, bike, mountains.
What are the five things you can’t live without?
Bike, loudspeaker, hiking boots, camera, wine corkscrew.
What is your favorite place?
I gravitate towards places that have mountains, sea and vineyards close together. :) But in the end, I always like to come back home to Prague, which is the best.
What would you do if there was no Miton?
I don’t know. But just like on my way towards Miton, I would trust my gut and intuition.
Stories with Ondřej
Faster digitization of Czech restaurants with the Septim cash register system
At the heart of every well-run restaurant is a good cash register system, and Septim is one of largest and best cash register systems used by restaurants in Czechia. Miton has now invested half a million Euro into Septim in exchange for a minority stake. The goal of the investment is to transform Septim into a modern platform for the restaurant industry and to strategically enhance Miton’s portfolio of companies working in the ‘smart restaurant’ space.
Boats are the new hotels and Boataround is the place to book them
If you’ve ever spent a holiday on a boat or a yacht, you know it’s an amazing experience… unless it was marred by an unscrupulous boat rental company. Thankfully new technology is reaching the world of boating, so instead of squabbling in some port, customers can choose their perfect vessel with the click of a mouse. Just log onto Boataround, a service into which Miton has invested over half a million Euro.
Welcome to the restaurant of the future
Where you don’t need a server to pay your bill and the manager finds reliable personnel through an app.
At Miton we have been watching the hospitality startup scene for a long time. As a result, we can now welcome two new startups to our portfolio – Grason and Qerko. We have been with both projects since their beginnings and have invested a total of 500,000 Euro.