Orthodox stockists sometimes mock him, but his success is undeniable – Ondřej Koběrský has managed to build a unique business brand around his name, which annually collects tens of millions of crowns. And thus he belongs to the most successful Czech influencers without having to have hundreds of thousands of followers. “My goal is to have fewer subscribers at a higher price than many at a lower price,” he says in an interview from the Money Makers series.
When Koběrský, who celebrated his 31st birthday this June, was included in the magazine Forbes during the holidays to the list of the most profitable influencers, his name shone with an annual income of 22 million crowns. But the business ecosystem that surrounds the brand Ondřej Koběrský has gradually built up, this year it will collect much more: “I expect group sales including Monera to be around 55 to 60 million crowns.”
Monerywhich is an application that allows subscribers to monitor the performance of their portfolio across various investment services, is the first example of where Koběrský is moving – he would like to invest more directly in companies whose products and services he would then offer to his followers as verified. This should also be one of the goals of the upcoming fund, the start of which he announced more than a year ago. And for which he now admits that he was in a hurry and did not realize how time-consuming the establishment of the fund could be. “But we still plan on it,” adds in an interview for CzechCrunch.
Ondřej Koběrský will also be one of the speakers at the Money Maker conference, which CzechCrunch is organizing on Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 7 – the panel debate with him will take place on the stage on the first day, in the afternoon of November 6. Tickets for the event are still available and can be purchased on the event’s official website.
A year and a half ago, we talked about how you are tired of classic investment influencing and that you want to move more towards money management and maybe even start a fund. Did it evolve somehow?
At a certain point, I realized that I didn’t have enough time to start a fund. At first I communicated it as a given, but it wasn’t thought through. In the end, more important opportunities appeared – mainly work with clients, mentoring and other activities where I saw more added value. But the fund is still in the plan. As my brand grows, more people are interested in asset management, so it’s almost certain that a fund will be created. We are working on it with a colleague and realistically we will establish it either next year or the year after. We plan to invest in it lower units of millions of crowns just for the establishment and tens of millions of equity capital for the start-up. Anyway, lately I’ve been focusing more on branding and community development on Patreon. And it paid off – I’ve doubled my sales over the last year and a half.
So how are you currently on Patreon are you standing You made a lot of money there…
The number of subscribers as of October 17 is 6,400, an increase of 22% since the beginning of the year. My goal is to have fewer subscribers at a higher price than many at a lower price. Because these people see me not just as a podcaster, but as someone who gives them relevant money advice. If I had 15,000 subscribers for five euros, I wouldn’t have time for anything but answering their questions. My service is comprehensive, it includes not only videos, but also courses and interviews with experts about finance and investments. I am constantly expanding the content – for example, new cryptocurrencies or options. That’s why I regularly increase the price, roughly twice a year, by 15 to 20 percent each time. I am currently planning to get another thousand subscribers at the current price, after which I will increase the price again.
At the same time, you added the Monery service to your portfolio.
Cooperation with the guys from the IT company Atreo came about simply – they approached me because they saw successful projects abroad and there is nothing similar in the Czech Republic for investment management. We want to create a tool for managing both investments and personal finances, because neither brokers nor investment funds provide enough insight. Our Monery app has become the most used investment tracking app in the country and is covering its costs after the first year, which is unusual for this type of software. The application offers added value mainly because many people have no idea how their portfolios are doing, how diversified they are or how risky their investments are. Monery solves all this at an affordable price and gives people an overview of their finances.
We currently have over 1200 active subscribers and our revenue covers our operating costs. Our primary focus is on investors – the app offers price alerts, intrinsic value calculations, a comprehensive portfolio overview including ETFs, stocks and cryptocurrencies. We monitor profitability, portfolio development over time and calculate expected dividends. I half own the app with Atreo.
Well-known investment YouTuber Ondřej Koběrský
And what are the next plans with Monery?
First of all, it is the expansion into Europe. We plan to enter the Polish and German markets within two years. That is why we are negotiating a strategic partnership with three venture capital funds. We are looking not only for capital, but above all for experience in scaling applications on a European scale. The second priority is the expansion of functions – we want to move from a pure investment application to a comprehensive management of personal finances, including tracking of expenses, account balances and gamification elements.
How do you actually think about the Ondřej Koběrský brand? After all, you are building it as a distinctive brand, and it is also becoming quite a powerful company.
My long-term vision is to become a significant authority on the Czech financial market, similar to how Dave Ramsey works in the USA. I don’t want to limit myself to investments, but provide comprehensive education on personal finance management including topics such as mortgages and general money management. I see this as a great opportunity, because most people in the Czech Republic lack this basic financial knowledge.
As for the growth of my brand, over the past four years, sales have increased 2.5 times each year. This year, I expect group sales, including Monera, to be around 55 to 60 million crowns, which is roughly a 100 percent increase compared to the previous year. And of course it’s pretty profitable.
Can you describe in a little more detail what your income structure looks like and how much of that is per Patreon profile?
We plan to move from Patreon to the new Tivio platform in the next two months. However, the current income structure is divided as follows: 50% is the investment community (now on Patreon), 20% is personal consultations and annual mentoring based on one-to-one advice, 10% is cooperation with partners, for example with XTB, and 20% represent other resources, which is Monery, YouTube or ads.
But if I were to return to the future development of the Ondřej Koběrský brand ecosystem, in addition to Monera and the planned fund, I am currently negotiating to join another company. I can’t share details yet, negotiations are still ongoing. But the long-term strategy is to enter companies where I can value clients’ money and bring added value with my experience. My goal is to promote mainly projects in which I have a financial stake and I can personally vouch for the quality of their services. Due to my current position as the best-known financial influencer on Czech social networks, I try to negotiate just about property shares in projects where I see potential.
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You’ve probably said it several times, but how did you get into investing?
I got into investing easily, I was lucky to have a good start – my parents are financially literate and my father actively invested on the Prague Stock Exchange. Nevertheless, I also made a typical beginner’s mistake: I put off starting my own investing for three years. It was a paradoxical situation because it only takes about 30 minutes to open an account with a broker and make the first investment, yet I put it off until I was 21, even though I could have started at 18.
I got a basic understanding of investment platforms and the functioning of the stock market from my father, but I had to find my own way. While my father focused on Czech shares such as ČEZ and banks, I focused on the American market. I was interested in companies like Apple and Coca-Cola, which I read about in connection with Warren Buffett. The first three years were very much about finding your own way and learning from your mistakes. It wasn’t until the fourth year that I found my investment concept and strategy. Now, after ten years of active investing, I can say that I am a successful investor.
What was your first and last investment?
My last investment was in LVMH, the European luxury goods giant led by Bernard Arnault. As for the first investments, I started on the Czech stock exchange with CETIN, which was later withdrawn from the stock exchange by PPF, and with ČEZ. The third investment was already aimed at the American market. The last two years have been very successful for me in the stock market – my overall portfolio is up about 22% since the beginning of the year. The current value of the portfolio reaches 50 million crowns, which requires more complex management than in the beginning, when I operated with hundreds of thousands or units of millions. The portfolio is now diversified across different asset classes: a significant portion, about 15%, is US Treasuries, then there is a significant equity component, and I also have cryptocurrencies in the portfolio.
Would you say that school taught you something about investing?
I studied law and was going to be a lawyer, but when it came to investing, the school didn’t teach me much. I don’t think any school will provide a real foundation for money management and investing. Financial literacy should be part of basic education, but it is often lacking. What school gave me is discipline and the ability to learn, but for the things I do today, its contribution was limited.
$PLTR was added to the S&P 500. A big day for investors. A long way behind us and an even longer one ahead, I’ve been holding for 3 years. As I repeat all the time, this company will surprise you a lot. I’m glad I was able to shop years ago. pic.twitter.com/EX4qxYWBKy
— Ondřej Koběrský (@kobeon_) September 7, 2024
What about sports? Is it suitable for you to invest?
Certainly. As for health, it plays an indirect role in investing. For me, physical fitness is important for energy, mental performance and overall well-being. I have been exercising regularly for over 11 years and I try to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which also helps me at work. The discipline I gain from the exercises is also reflected in my work – whether it is content creation, studies or business management. Sport teaches me regularity and perseverance, which are qualities that are also key to success in business.
Do you have a special routine?
I have a fitness routine, I go to the gym three to four times a week, but I adapt the exercise time to my work schedule. When I have time off between meetings, I go to the gym, and if I have a busy day, I work out in the evening. I focus on strength training and alternate whole body and individual body exercises. But I don’t have any special rituals. Not even in the morning. I don’t need long preparations for work – in the morning I have simple, quick hygiene, breakfast, and I’m at work within half an hour.
Oh, welcome, ladies and gentlemen! Today, we’re diving into the marvelous world of influencer economics — and let me tell you, it’s more thrilling than watching paint dry… with a twist of lime! So put on your financial seatbelts because we’re going to talk about Ondřej Koběrský — a man who has managed to squeeze tens of millions of crowns out of a rather niche market without needing a million followers. That’s right, just a loyal band of disciples paying top dollar for sage advice.
Now, imagine that! Fewer subscribers at a higher price! It’s like the premium version of Netflix but with fewer rom-coms and more stocks! You’d think the Czech Republic was a hotbed for investment advice influencers. Get this — Koběrský was on Forbes’ radar with an impressive annual income of 22 million crowns, but he expects to rake in even more this year. What’s that, a cheeky little 60 million crowns? I mean, at this rate, by next year, he might challenge the GDP of a small country!
But let’s backtrack a moment—this isn’t just a story about money; it’s also about vision. Koběrský intends to step beyond just being a mere investment influencer to potentially running a fund. He’s got big plans—much like someone planning to make a soufflé for the first time. Sounds ambitious, darling, but do you have the patience to wait for it to rise?! He admits he might have jumped the gun on this fund idea… classic case of “slow down, there’s no rush!” It’s like ordering a complex dish at a restaurant only to realize you forgot your wallet.
But what’s he doing to keep the gravy train rolling in the meantime? Ah yes, his Patreon strategy. “Fewer subscribers but at a higher price,” he says—brilliant! I mean, who doesn’t want to pay more to feel special about their investment advice? With 6,400 subscribers and counting, Koběrský’s raking in the dough while doling out financial wisdom akin to free advice given at the local pub — but with a whole lot more finesse and fewer hangovers, I presume!
Koběrský’s also launched an app called Monery, which sounds suspiciously like a trendy new Italian dish but is actually an investment tracking tool. It’s as if he decided that monitoring portfolios should be as easy as swiping right on a dating app! “Swipe right for stock advice? Yes, please!” And wouldn’t you know it? They’re already generating revenue. Bravo! It’s like they say, “There’s money in that banana stand!”
He’s clearly got his eyes set on the European market too. Poland and Germany are next on his radar. This isn’t just influencer game anymore; this is full-on corporate espionage territory! Expanding functions outside mere investment tracking? Sounds like he’s getting ready to build a financial empire—one Euro at a time. I can almost hear the new business slogan, “Invest like a Czech, live like a king!”
And speaking of strategies—what’s this? He’s determined to educate the masses on personal finance. How noble! How… unconventional! School may not have prepared him for investment, but it taught him discipline. Perhaps it should have ruled out teaching financial literacy in favor of more practical skills, such as how to spot a bad investment faster than you can say, “bankruptcy”.
Now, folks, let’s not forget our bodies are temples! Koběrský, the fitness fanatic, stresses the importance of health for mental fitness. “Discipline from workouts translates to business!” It’s all connected, much like the six degrees of separation. Gym today, investor tomorrow — who knew squats could lead to stocks!
In conclusion, Ondřej Koběrský isn’t just an influencer; he’s a brand, and the Czech financial market is merely his playground. He’s dancing a delightful tango between being an investment guru and a content creator, proving once and for all that financial finesse doesn’t require an army of followers. So, let’s hope his growth is as strong as a double espresso on a Monday morning. And for the rest of us? Maybe it’s time to rethink our approach to investment. Now, I must go check my own portfolio—like Koběrský, it could use a fitness intervention! Cheers!