founders-file-logo

Martin Varsavsky

locationMadrid, Spain

A true polymath, Martin has built 15 businesses, grown five into unicorns, revolutionised telecoms and fertility, all while raising seven children and learning to fly a jet.

thought-iconThought of the day

InterestsInterests

Creativity / Innovation
img_corporate_social_responsibility.jpg
img_creative_writing.jpg
img_investing.jpg
img_technology.jpg
img_politics.jpg
img_architecture.jpg
Wellness
AI / Machine Learning

Impact

15

Companies founded

https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Building_white.svg

$8.05bn

Combined exit value

5

Companies founded became Unicorns

$280m

Prelude Fertility Revenue

8

Sectors operated in

https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg

8

Sectors operated in

https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Buildings.svg

$280m

Prelude Fertility Revenue

5

Companies founded became Unicorns

6

Companies exited

https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg
https://cms-files-folder-qa.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/2025-06/Emergency%20Exit.svg

38

Early stage investments

Life Story
Argentina

Early Years in Buenos Aires

Born on 26th April in Buenos Aires to Carlos Manuel, a Harvard-educated astrophysicist, and Silvia Waisman-Diamond. Martin spent his early years in an apartment on Avenida Las Heras before his parents separated during his teenage years.

Early Years in Buenos Aires

Born on 26th April in Buenos Aires to Carlos Manuel, a Harvard-educated astrophysicist, and Silvia Waisman-Diamond. Martin spent his early years in an apartment on Avenida Las Heras before his parents separated during his teenage years.

1960
1966
1972
1976
1977
1981
1984
1985
1988
1990
1992
1994
1995
1999
2000
2001
2004
2007
2008
2009
2011
2013
2017
2024
2025

mapWorld Map

qna
Q&A
icon-bolt

How did the fallout from the dotcom bubble affect you?

"All of us on the Internet were licking our wounds. We had been taken for a crazy ride . We went from whatever we touched being "champagne" to whatever we did was shit. looking back...

icon-idea

Are you concerned about the impact of AI on humanity?

"AI, at its core, is a tool, a mirror. It possesses no personal agenda, no inherent morality, and no autonomous motivation to cause harm or good. It merely reflects the intentions of...

icon-question

What has inspired your philanthropic work?

"I founded Educ.ar in Argentina and Chile because I was convinced that if the internet had existed, the military in those countries would not have been able to control the media and...

icon-star

How do you balance capitalism with your socialist beliefs?

"I believe that the most effective capitalism in the world is one combined with a welfare state. If the welfare state becomes too large, productive capacity is endangered. But if the...

icon-mega-phone

What is it like running a business through a recession?

"It’s not impossible, but it’s much more difficult. But whoever manages to grow when there is such little water available will become king of the desert."

Martin Varsavsky's Personal Blog, 21st January 2009calender-icon
icon-send

How did you get into the world of biotech?

"At the end of 1985 I travelled to Oxford to visit my uncle Carlos Blanco and my aunt Ruth Waisman. I went to a Christmas party, and met Nobel Prize winner Cesar Milstein and Dr Clau...

icon-bolt

Tell me about your greatest business failure

"Einsteinet was a complete disaster. My black eye in business - my €30m black eye. I was one of the first people who came up with the concept of the ASP (Application Service Provider...

icon-idea

Do they value entrepreneurship in Spain?

"The average Spaniard doesn’t understand the role of entrepreneurs and businessmen. They don’t see them as what they are - job creators - but as rich thieves. As a result, [the found...

icon-question

Does Argentina have a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem?

"Some leave, others stay, but in all cases, it's clear that they thrive in such a hostile environment because they are forced to grow rapidly. So many things go wrong that if you man...

icon-star

How does it feel to be a national hero in Argentina?

"I'd been thrown out but I came back with a big gift [Educar] and it was very positive.They hang my picture in schools. It moved people in Argentina. I might meet an Argentine who do...

icon-mega-phone

Have you ever worried about money?

"Yes, it was terrible. I should have sold Viatel, taken the money and focused on Jazztel, but I was too ambitious. I wanted to hold on to both companies, so I put my house up as coll...

icon-send

How did you build firms, raise 7 kids, and take holidays?

"I never watch TV. The average person spends 14 years watching television in their lives. I watch a bit of Netflix but not a lot. I don't watch sports. If you don't watch sports as a...

icon-bolt

How do you take such extraordinary risks?

"This is nothing compared to growing up in Buenos Aires and seeing a building being bombed across my house, in the middle of the night, which I saw. It's all relative."

LDV Capital, 2nd November 2022calender-icon
icon-idea

What was life like when you were a young man?

"My life had a rocky start: I had to flee Argentina as a refugee when I was 17. Senator Moynihan gave us refugee visas into the States. But before that, even in high school, the mili...

icon-question

Why are you, a man, so into women's health?

"I'm the only man at a women's health conference, I'm a misfit in gender and also in age but I do have frustration about how women have been treated by the medical profession. I beli...

icon-star

What are the unexpected challenges for startup founders?

"There’s a lot of talk about failure in entrepreneurship and that makes sense as most start-ups fail. But what I have seen is that while we focus a lot on entrepreneurs not being pre...

gallery-iconGallery

Dr Ling Ge, Martín Varsavsky, Juliet Rogan
Martin Varsavsky, Michael Faye
Martin Varsavsky, Michael Faye
Herman Hauser, X, Martin Varsavsky, X, X, Vittorio Colao, Demis Hassabis, FF London 2014
Martin Varsavsky, Michael Faye

presPress

El Periódico de la EnergíaEl Periódico de la Energía

Visalia compra Barter, la energética de Asterion, Martín Varsavsky e I

9th May 2025

Martin Varsavsky press

El MundoEl Mundo

Martín Varsavsky proyecta un santuario búnker antinuclear en una zona

24th March 2025

Martin Varsavsky

InfobaeInfobae

Martín Varsavsky: “La admiración que tienen Elon Musk y Trump por Mile

4th January 2025

Martin Varsavsky

Longevity.TechnologyLongevity.Technology

Gameto lands ARPA-H funding to combat menopause with cell therapy

24th October 2024

Martin Varsavsky

Longevity.TechnologyLongevity.Technology

‘We need to science the hell out of ovarian longevity’

18th October 2024

Martin Varsavsky

FundzFundz

Gameto Raises $33 Million in Series B Financing to Advance Developm

29th May 2024

Gameto

PR News WirePR News Wire

Ottonomy.IO and Goggo Network Partner for Fully Autonomous Robot De

31st January 2023

Martin Varsavsky

CarrefourCarrefour

Carrefour and Goggo Network join forces to create the future of au

7th December 2022

Martin Varsavsky

ForbesargentinaForbesargentina

Martín Varsavsky, preocupado por la invasión de Rusia a Ucrania: "

24th February 2022

Martin Varsavsky

PR News WirePR News Wire

Gameto Raises $23M to Redefine Reproductive Longevity with Reprogra

10th January 2022

Gameto logo

mediaMedia

    career-milestoneCareer Milestones

    Founder & Chairman
    Fon logo with orange/yellow ombre stripped location icon to the right of the company name.

    Fon

    Fon was a global Wi-Fi network that allowed users to share their home internet in exchange for access to other Fon hotspots, creating a crowd-sourced wireless infrastructure.

    caelndar

    2021 – Present

    Co-founder
    mvb fund logo

    MVB Fund

    MVB Fund is a late-stage venture capital fund, created in partnership with Bankinter and Kanoar Ventures, giving Spanish investors access to top Silicon Valley tech funds and future unicorns.

    caelndar

    2019 – Present

    Founder & CEO
    goggo logo

    Goggo Network

    Goggo Network pioneers autonomous mobility solutions in Europe, revolutionizing urban transport and logistics with innovative technologies.

    caelndar

    2018 – Present

    Founder & Chairman
    Overture logo in blue text with orange overture icon

    Overture Life

    Overture Life develops automation technology for IVF, aiming to make advanced fertility care more accessible worldwide.

    caelndar

    2017 – Present

    Founder & Chairman
    prelude fertility logo

    Prelude Fertility

    Prelude Fertility is a US network of clinics and labs advancing reproductive medicine and fertility preservation at scale.

    caelndar

    2016 – Present

    Co-founder & Shareholder
    Default logo

    Medicorp Sciences

    Biosciences pioneer, creating pioneering therapies for AIDS and cancer.

    caelndar

    1986 – Present

    Board Member
    axel spring blue logo

    Alex Springer SE

    Axel Springer is a leading European digital publisher, shaping media with brands like Bild, Die Welt, and Business Insider.

    caelndar

    2014 – 2025

    Professor
    Blue background with white icon ontop

    Columbia Business School

    Columbia Business School blends academic rigor with real-world experience, preparing students for leadership in business and entrepreneurship.

    caelndar

    2012 – 2018

    Chairman of the Board
    Fon logo with orange/yellow ombre stripped location icon to the right of the company name.

    Fon

    Fon created a global WiFi community, connecting millions through shared access points in homes and public spaces.

    caelndar

    2015 – 2016

    CEO
    Fon logo with orange/yellow ombre stripped location icon to the right of the company name.

    Fon

    Fon created a global WiFi community, connecting millions through shared access points in homes and public spaces.

    caelndar

    2006 – 2015

    Co-founder
    Eolia Renovables logo

    Eolia Renovables

    Eolia started as Spain’s first renewable energy investment fund, scaling rapidly by acquiring 22 wind and solar companies to become a major force in clean energy.

    caelndar

    2004 – 2009

    Founder
    Jazztel logo of an orange background with hand written style text

    Jazztel

    A Spanish telecommunications company offering broadband internet, mobile and fixed-line telephone, and television services.

    caelndar

    1998 – 2002

    Co-founder
    e.png

    EINSTEINet AG

    A German cloud-based software service.

    caelndar

    1998 – 2001

    Founder
    y.png

    Ya.com

    A Spanish Internet brand, originally owned by Jazztel, created with the aim of competing in the business of Internet services, content and access portals.

    caelndar

    1999 – 2000

    Founder
    Viatel logo in a mix of pink and grey

    Viatel

    A specialist telecoms provider that laid the groundwork for affordable, high-speed connectivity across Europe.

    caelndar

    1991 – 1999

    Founder & CEO
    u.png

    Urban Capital Corporation

    A real estate holding business focused on purchasing and renovating properties in New York City.

    caelndar

    1984 – 1986

    investmentEarly Stage Investments

    advisory
    Advisory & Mentoring
    axel spring blue logo

    Axel Springer

    Board member

    calender-icon2014 – 2025

    location-iconGermany

    axel spring blue logo

    Axel Springer

    Axel Springer drives digital transformation across flagship brands like Bild and Politico, shaping news consumption for millions.

    calender-icon2014 – 2025

    location-iconGermany

    Busuu logo

    Busuu

    Advisory Board Member

    calender-icon2011 – 2021

    location-iconUnited Kingdom

    Busuu logo

    Busuu

    Busuu blends AI-driven lessons with a global community, redefining language learning through personalized, interactive experiences.

    calender-icon2011 – 2021

    location-iconUnited Kingdom

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon

    B-Yond

    Advisor

    B-Yond

    US-based company specialising in AI-driven network automation solutions for the telecoms sector.

    Recargapay logo dark blue background with white icon and multicolour border

    RecargaPay

    Advisor

    calender-icon2018 – Present

    Recargapay logo dark blue background with white icon and multicolour border

    RecargaPay

    Brazilian fintech platform that provides mobile payment solutions, including bill payments and prepaid mobile top-ups

    calender-icon2018 – Present

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon

    Decelera

    Founding Partner

    Decelera

    A start-up acclerator that takes a contrarian approach, hosting retreats that help foundners slow down and reflect, in o

    ie logo

    IE University

    Advisory Board Member

    calender-icon2022 – Present

    location-iconSpain

    ie logo

    IE University

    IE University cultivates leaders in a dynamic setting, fostering collaboration and fresh thinking that fuels tomorrow’s breakthroughs.

    calender-icon2022 – Present

    location-iconSpain

    Learn moreexternal-link-icon
    itravel

    itravel

    Advisor

    calender-icon2017 – Present

    itravel

    itravel

    itravel is a Cologne-based travel company offering personalised holidays through a digital platform

    calender-icon2017 – Present

    Clinton Foundation

    Board Member

    Clinton Foundation

    Martin has served on the board of trustees at the Clinton Foundation

    philanthropy-iconPhilanthropy

      Powered by Founders Forum Group
      Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy
      Terms and ConditionsPrivacy Policy

      Founders Brands Limited

      180 Strand, 2 Arundel Street, London,

      United Kingdom, WC2R 3DA

      Company number: 15716753

      VAT number: 487 5152 58

      © 2025 Founders File