David Zbožínek
Winner of
Smart Deal M&A Challenge 2018
Interview about my Smart Challenge experience
Why did you decide to attend Smart Deal Challenge last year?
I decided to attend Smart Deal after seeing an advertisement on LinkedIn. I have always regarded Penta Investments as one of the leading investment groups in our region, and I knew I wanted to work for the best. That motivated me to sign up and fully dedicate myself to placing among the top contestants.
What was the biggest challenge on this contest for you?
The biggest challenge was solving the case study on a tight deadline. It clashed with my university exam week, and I had a post-exam trip to Barcelona already booked from before. Although we were given five days to complete the case study, exams and travel meant I effectively had only part of that time.
If you would have a chance to participate in Smart Deal Challenge again, what would you do differently?
I wouldn’t change much, to be honest. Given my knowledge at the time, I think I managed pretty well. The only thing I might have done differently is packing a suit for the presentation, since I was the only contestant dressed a bit more casually than the rest.
What tips would you give to other students thinking of entering the competition?
I have two tips for anyone considering signing up: 1) Take time to truly understand the company’s business model and analyze how it generates cash, and 2) Be yourself. We want to see the real version of you, because we don’t only evaluate analytical abilities but also presentation style, clarity of answers, and confidence in your arguments.
What do you do in PENTA now?
Right now, I am working on several projects. While I cannot disclose details, most of my time is dedicated to deals in banking, healthcare, and sports betting. In addition, I contribute to the monthly valuation of our healthcare portfolio.
What do you like the most about you job and culture in PENTA?
What I value most at Penta is the fast exposure to large deals. With high expectations placed on new analysts from day one, I am driven to continuously study and understand the industries I work on. I also get to observe how partners lead discussions and negotiate, which provides a great opportunity to learn firsthand how business should be done.
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ABOUT PENTA
Penta is a Central European investment group established in 1994. Today, it focuses on long-term investments into healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, retail, media and real estate development. Penta is one of the largest employers in the region and provides jobs to more than 43,000 people. The Group operates in more than 10 European countries and has offices in Prague, Bratislava and Warsaw.
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ABOUT PENTA REAL ESTATE
Penta Real Estate was formed by separating the real estate division from the company Penta Investments, whose origins date back to 1994. Penta Group entered the real estate sector in 2005 and has since become the leader in the real estate market in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
Our goal is to create buildings that contribute to the urban development of a given location. We therefore work together with top architects and engineers and other respected professionals in the field. Our experience combined with their creativity and focus guarantees the highest quality and investment value of our real estate portfolio.
