Fondee

Fondee is a Czech-based fintech company that has carved out a niche in the investment landscape by making portfolio management accessible to the broader public. The company was co-founded in 2017 by Eva and Jan Hlavsa, a husband-and-wife team who identified a gap in the market for straightforward, low-cost investment solutions. Their journey into the financial sector was driven by personal experience; Jan Hlavsa's background includes a significant tenure at the Boston Consulting Group and private equity firm H2 Equity Partners, while Eva Hlavsa brought her expertise from the world of startups and technology. This combination of corporate finance acumen and entrepreneurial spirit shaped Fondee's core mission.

The firm operates as an online investment platform, offering automated portfolio management, often referred to as robo-advisory services. Its business model is centered on providing clients with diversified portfolios composed primarily of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This approach allows individuals to invest in a wide array of global stocks and bonds without the need for substantial capital or deep financial knowledge. Fondee targets retail investors, particularly those who are new to investing or prefer a hands-off approach, by offering a low-barrier entry point, with investments starting from as little as CZK 1,000. Revenue is generated through a transparent fee structure, primarily a single annual fee of 0.9% of the managed assets, which covers all aspects of portfolio management, including trading and administration. A reduced fee of 0.5% is offered for sustainable portfolios.

The platform's key service is the construction of personalized investment portfolios based on a client's risk tolerance and financial goals, determined through an initial questionnaire. Clients can choose from several portfolio options with varying degrees of risk, from conservative to aggressive. Fondee emphasizes long-term, passive investing, leveraging the benefits of diversification and compound interest. A significant milestone for the company was securing an investment license from the Czech National Bank, which allows it to operate as a licensed securities trader. The company has demonstrated considerable growth, reporting that it managed over CZK 2 billion for more than 15,000 clients by mid-2023 and has since expanded its services to Slovakia and Poland.

Keywords: robo-advisory, ETF investing, passive investing, retail investment, wealth management, fintech, portfolio management, asset management, financial services, Central Europe