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Bakala Capital
Zdenek Bakala began his career in investment banking at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Bank of America and Credit Suisse First Boston before returning to...
Bakala Capital
Zdenek Bakala began his career in investment banking at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Bank of America and Credit Suisse First Boston before returning to Czechoslovakia in the early 1990s. He helped establish Credit Suisse First Boston’s Prague subsidiary, co-founded Patria Finance and participated in the creation of the Prague Stock Exchange. Bakala Capital was formed in 2012 to oversee the resulting portfolio. The firm allocates across global equities, credit, hedged strategies, buyouts, venture capital, real assets and distressed situations. It uses direct co-investments, SPVs and fund commitments. Confirmed holdings include the Economia media house in Prague and the Soudal–Quick-Step professional cycling team. Geographic reach spans North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Oceania and South America. The team operates from offices in Greenville, South Carolina and Prague. Zdenek Bakala serves on the Board of Overseers at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business. Michaela Bakala chairs the Bakala Foundation, which supports education and democratic values. No material operational changes were reported in the last 24 months. Ownership remains with the Bakala family, with investment decisions centered on Zdenek Bakala and CIO Kris Kapoor. Philanthropic vehicles operate separately from the investment portfolio.
General information
Firm type
Single Family Office
Year founded
2012
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Greenville
Corporate office
355 S Main Street, Suite 904, Greenville, SC 29601, United States
Additional offices
Prague, Czech Republic
Principals
Zdenek Bakala
Founder
Michaela Bakala
Chair of the Board of Trustees, Bakala Foundation
Altss tracks 1 additional named team member for this firm — including direct investment leads, IR, and operating principals not listed on the public website.
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Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Bakala Capital?
Zdenek Bakala and Chief Investment Officer Kris Kapoor oversee investment decisions. The firm operates as a single-family office with family input on major allocations.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Zdenek Bakala built the wealth through coal mining interests, media holdings including Economia, and earlier investments in natural resources, real estate and transport.
Does Bakala Capital participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
The firm uses both fund commitments and direct co-investments or SPVs across asset classes.
What investment stages does Bakala Capital typically target?
The firm targets early-stage and growth opportunities in addition to buyouts and distressed situations.
How is Bakala Capital related to the Bakala Foundation?
The foundation is a separate philanthropic vehicle chaired by Michaela Bakala. Investment and grant-making activities remain distinct.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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