Zdenek Bakala is an investor and philanthropist. Zdenek began a career in investment banking with Drexel Burnham Lambert, Bank of America, and later, Credit Suisse First Boston. In the early 90’s he returned to his native Czechoslovakia to play a part in its emerging free-market economy.
He helped establish Credit Suisse First Boston’s Prague subsidiary and co-founded the Czech Republic’s first private investment bank, Patria Finance. He was also a co-founder of the Prague Stock Exchange.
Since then, he has invested in a range of sectors including natural resources, real estate, transport, publishing, gaming, and sports. Zdenek owns the Economia media house in Prague which publishes many award-winning independent newspapers and magazines.
He is also a passionate cyclist and the owner of Soudal Quick-Step cycling team. Zdenek's philanthropy focuses on supporting and developing democratic society, education, and free media.
