10 Questions for Otakar and Marek, Founders of FTMO

Reflections & Beginnings

1. When did you first come across trading?

Otakar: At high school, when I was about 16 or 17 years old.

Marek: In the back row at secondary school. Back then, tablets and laptops weren’t really a thing, so I stood out a bit. Everyone else was playing football while I was sitting there staring at charts.

2. What do you attribute FTMO’s success to?

Otakar: We created a product that hadn’t existed before and solved the biggest problem most traders face, undercapitalization. We built FTMO primarily for ourselves, so by the time we launched, we already had several applications and a system for evaluating trading results, which we used to write manually. FTMO has succeeded because we offer a product that clients genuinely want and that brings them real added value.

Marek: Mainly our trader-first focus and the quality of the product. We also managed to find great and passionate people. Hard work and commitment played a big role too. Without exaggeration, we can say we really dedicated those years to FTMO. For both Ota and me, it was always our number-one priority, with 100% focus. Timing also worked in our favor.

3. When did you first realize FTMO had become a globally recognized company?

Otakar: Personally, I’d say it came with the company’s growth, along with the way other firms began to see us as pioneers in the industry. For example, when Finance Magnates invited us to speak at the London Summit.

Marek: It came gradually. We kept winning Fast50 awards year after year, received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year recognition, and began traveling to conferences, giving interviews, and meeting international partners and traders.

4. What motivated you to keep going during the difficult times?

Otakar: Because we truly understand the product and develop it so that it makes sense for us as well, we were always motivated mainly by our belief in the product and the feedback from clients.

Marek: Absolute conviction that what we’re doing is a good service and has real value.

Trading

5. What’s an underrated trading skill that few people learn?

Otakar: I once heard that trading is 100% of everything. A perfectly tuned strategy isn’t enough if discipline or risk management fails. Trading is a complex profession that requires attention to all aspects: psychology, system, risk management, and consistency.

Marek: For me, it’s patience and knowing when not to trade. Entering a trade is easy, exiting correctly is harder, and sometimes the toughest thing is to stay out of the market at the right moment.

6. Do you have a favorite market or instrument you always like to return to?

Otakar: The German DAX and the US Nasdaq.

Marek: DAX and ES! (E-mini S&P 500).

Business & Company Culture

7. What values do you uphold in the company, even during rapid growth?

Otakar: We say it at every opportunity: fairness is an absolutely key value for us, no matter the market situation.

Marek: Our values are fairness and no bullshit. I believe they’re not just on a slide in the newcomers’ introduction deck. I recently asked colleagues who joined a few months ago about this, and the feedback was positive, they genuinely perceive it that way, and it isn’t just a cliché.

8. What other field or business would interest you besides FTMO?

Otakar: The goal is to build a strong and diversified Trading Powerhouse. That will keep us busy for a few years.

Marek: At one point we thought about opening a toast bar. I think Ota even tried out a recipe while I was looking at machines in China. The next day we realized it probably wasn’t for us and decided we should focus purely on FTMO. That’s still the case today.

Life Beyond the Charts

9. Is there something you enjoy that people might not expect?

Otakar: Apart from work and family, I don’t do much else, and whatever I do, I don’t keep it a secret.

Marek: I used to skateboard and even made my own boards. I still enjoy skateboarding culture, and once a year I’ll go out for a ride.

10. When was the last time you, as a team, said it was time to celebrate?

Otakar: Honestly, we don’t celebrate that much, but 10 years in business simply couldn’t be overlooked.

Marek: We’re not big on celebrations, we don’t stop often, but 10 years is a milestone worth celebrating. At the same time, we’re already looking forward to a new decade with FTMO.