Hello, I'm

Vlado Houba

Growth & Scale·Cross-Border Capital·Executive Coaching

I help businesses to scale, investors deploy capital across borders, and senior operators access a network built on trust. With 18 years in C-level commercial leadership across CEE and beyond, I work as a fractional executive, coach, and connector — bringing the right people, capital, and timing together to move businesses forward.

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18+
Years
C-Level Commercial Leadership
5+
Markets
Cross-Border Reach Across CEE & Beyond
30+
Professionals Developed
Across Five Countries
Vlado Houba at a yacht marina at golden hour
About

Building Businesses by Building People First

I build businesses by building people first.

Over 18 years across CEE and beyond, I've learned the fastest path to revenue runs through the right combination of people, energy, and timing.

Today I work with businesses, investors, and senior operators as a fractional executive, coach, and connector.

Helping businesses scale, investors deploy capital, and senior operators access a network built on trust.
2002
University of Economics in Bratislava Graduated.
2006
MBA — City University of Seattle Master of Business Administration.
2008 – 14
Gemius Country Manager for Czech Republic and Slovakia; later Senior Business Development Manager for EMEA. Built the audience measurement business across the region.
2013 – 18
RTB House — Regional Director Launched and scaled programmatic advertising operations across five CEE markets from ground zero.
2016
Founded Magnaxa Established personal advisory and venture holding structure.
2018 – 25
RTB House CZ — Executive Director Statutory leader with full P&L responsibility across CZ, SK, HU, RO, BG. Team of 30+ professionals. 98%+ client retention.
2025 – 26
Zircon Tree — Interim Director of Business Development Drove SaaS commercial growth for a Deloitte Top 50 CE 2025 company.
2026 →
Full focus on Magnaxa Fractional executive work, cross-border capital advisory, executive coaching, and building Sea-Breaks.

Quick Info

  • Bratislava, Slovakia & Prague, Czechia
  • Founder, Magnaxa
  • MBA · ICF Certified Executive Coach
  • Offshore Skipper, Category C
  • IAB Slovakia · Retail Media Committee

Languages

  • SlovakNative
  • CzechBilingual
  • EnglishProfessional
  • German, SpanishElementary
What I Do

How I Work With Businesses, Investors & Operators

i.

Fractional COO / CSO

For founders and growth-stage businesses needing senior commercial leadership without a full-time hire. I take ownership of sales strategy, team building, partner ecosystems, and P&L — the same playbook I ran at RTB House across five markets.

ii.

Cross-Border Capital Advisory

Connecting investors with projects and businesses with capital across CEE and beyond. Two-sided work: helping European businesses access international capital, and helping global investors find vetted opportunities and operating talent.

iii.

Executive Coaching & Leadership Development

ICF-certified coaching for founders, C-level leaders, and senior teams. Grounded in Cornell's Psychology of Leadership program and Gallup CliftonStrengths methodology. Focus on commercial decision-making, team dynamics, and the human side of scaling.

iv.

Non-Executive Director & Board Advisory

Independent board roles and advisory mandates for growth-stage companies and founder-led businesses across digital, retail media, and ad tech. Bringing commercial discipline, regional market depth, and executive coaching to the boardroom.

v.

Sea-Breaks — Global Yachting & HNW Network

Founder of an invite-only community where senior operators, founders, and investors meet through yachting and curated experiences. The premise: serious conversations happen on the water, not in conference rooms.

Experience

Professional Journey

Two decades of building, leading, and scaling commercial operations in Central and Eastern Europe.

2016 – Present
Bratislava / Prague

Magnaxa

CEO & Founder
  • Holding entity for advisory, executive coaching, cross-border capital, and community work
  • Hybrid consultancy serving founders and senior operators on commercial growth, scaling, and capital strategy
  • Anchor for Sea-Breaks (yachting & HNW community) and selected investment activity
June 2025 – April 2026
Prague

Zircon Tree

Interim Director of Business Development
  • Drove new SaaS business development and commercial growth for a B2B organization ranked Deloitte Top 50 CE 2025
  • Established sales and account management structures from the ground up
  • Built strategic partnerships and high-value revenue pipelines
  • Applied senior commercial strategy expertise to accelerate market expansion
Feb 2018 – June 2025
Prague

RTB House CZ

Executive Director
Statutory executive responsible for P&L and commercial oversight across five CEE markets for a global AI-driven marketing technology company.
  • Drove consistent year-over-year revenue growth across all five markets (CZ, SK, HU, RO, BG); established RTB House as regional leader in premium programmatic advertising
  • Led cross-functional team of 30+ professionals across digital advertising, sales, account management, and operations
  • Built and maintained C-level relationships with top-tier e-commerce and retail clients; 98%+ client retention
  • Recruited, developed, and retained high-performing talent across five countries
  • Owned regional P&L, sales budget, and operational discipline
July 2013 – Jan 2018
Prague

RTB House

Regional Director
  • Launched and scaled RTB House operations from ground zero across CZ, SK, HU, RO, BG
  • Built local go-to-market strategies; adapted AI-powered advertising solutions to regional needs
  • Managed country leads and regional sales teams; cultivated relationships with key e-commerce and media players
  • Demonstrated the value of deep-learning AI to drive campaign ROI in emerging markets
2008 – 2014
Bratislava / Prague

Gemius

Country Manager (CZ & SK) → Senior BDM, EMEA
  • Country Manager for Czech Republic and Slovakia — built Gemius's presence in digital audience measurement across both markets
  • Later promoted to Senior BDM for EMEA — led business development and strategic partnerships across multiple markets
  • Drove expansion of audience measurement and digital research solutions; positioned Gemius as credible EMEA contender in tenders and key accounts
Current Opportunities

Where I'm Active Now

Beyond advisory and coaching, I'm actively sourcing and structuring opportunities for investors and operators looking for the right deal at the right time.

Fertility Clinic Venture

Advising the founding team on capital strategy and investor introductions for a venture targeting underserved demand in the region.

Off-Market Real Estate · Croatia & Spain

Sourcing and structuring off-market residential and lifestyle property opportunities along the Adriatic and Mediterranean for HNW buyers and investor groups.

Giving Back

Pro Bono & Community Work

Some of the work that matters most isn't billable. I commit time each year to organizations and causes where senior commercial and leadership experience can make a real difference.

Liga Zdravia Slovensko

Founding supporter, advisor, and volunteer with the Slovak health-advocacy NGO supporting public health education and people living with chronic and lifestyle-related conditions. I contribute content, advisory, and event support.

ligazdravia.eu →

Pro Bono Advisory for NGOs

I take a limited number of pro-bono engagements each year for NGOs and mission-driven organizations needing senior commercial or leadership input.

If that's you, reach out through the contact section below.

Credentials

Education & Certifications

Academic

  • MBA City University of Seattle · 2006
  • University of Economics in Bratislava 2002

Coaching & Leadership

  • ICF Approved — Certified Organizational Development Coach & Executive Coach Symbiosis Coaching, US
  • ICF Approved — Business and Group & Team Business Coaching Business Coaching College, SK
  • ICF ACCIn Progress
  • ICF Gallup Global CliftonStrengths CoachIn Progress
  • Psychology of Leadership Certificate Cornell University

Other

  • Offshore SkipperCategory C
  • IAB SlovakiaRetail Media Committee Member
Speaking & Community

Stages, Networks & The Water

Where I share what I'm learning and meet the people I work with.

Vlado Houba in Dubai with Sea-Breaks Business Club flag
Sea-Breaks · Dubai 2025 Business Club gathering
Vlado Houba at Forbes Grow Club gala
Forbes Grow Club Annual gala
Sailing the Majovka Regatta on the Adriatic
Majovka Regatta 2026 Adriatic sailing
Slovak AI Association meeting in Rovinj, Croatia
Slovak AI Association Rovinj, Croatia
Slovak-Croatian Chamber of Commerce 18th anniversary
Slovak-Croatian Chamber 18th Anniversary
SAPIE Forum 2026 Performance Marketing panel
SAPIE Forum 2026 Performance Marketing panel with Zoltán Lakatos
IAB Slovakia AI and Media Planning panel
IAB Slovakia AI & Media Planning panel
Contact

Let's Talk

Whether you're scaling a business, looking for the right project as an investor, or an operator who wants to be part of Sea-Breaks — let's start a conversation.

Book a 30-Minute Call

The fastest way to get started — pick a time directly from my calendar.

Book a Call