The Prague Finance Institute is an independent organisation aimed at supporting and connecting with one another the community of ambitious students and young professionals in Prague with interests in finance and consulting. Our aim is facilitated by unique educational and networking events which assist students in the transition towards their dream careers and young professionals in broadening their knowledge and networks.
Our History
CLUB FOUNDATION & MASTERCLASS
The Prague Finance Institute was originally founded as the Prague Wall Street Club, also known as PWSClub, by proactive students at CERGE-EI, a joint workplace of Charles University and the Economics Institute of Czech Academy of Science. In the same year, students started for the first time the replicated MBA course of the well- known expert for corporate finance and valuations professor Aswath Damodaran. Since then, the club has organised number of various events for over a thousand students.
PRAGUE FINANCE INSTITUTE`S NEW OUTFIT
Driven by a continuous passion for improvement, we felt the need for reviewing our strategy and new look. With this, came Prague Finance Institute. Under this new umbrella, we will expand the activities we offer and continue to provide our well-liked lectures and networking events, in addition to resuming the courses in valuation that initially aided in growing our group. Our events are created with a strong emphasis on making new connections among the students, young professionals and industry experts. Let’s meet at our next event!
Chairman of the Board
Jonáš Kotyza
Field: Private Equity
Bio
Jonáš works as an Investment Manager at BHM group, one of the leading Czech investment firms. Prior to joining BHM, Jonáš worked in corporate finance advisory for 6 years. He has participated in various projects for local as well as foreign clients, including a number of successful M&A deals, bond issues or IPO. He graduated from the University of Economics in Prague and attended study stays at the McCombs School of Business (Texas, USA) and the London School of Economics (LSE).
Vice Chairman of the Board
Tomáš Somogyi
Field: Investment Banking
Bio
Tomáš graduated from the University of Economics in Prague with a major in economic policy and a minor in business valuation. In practice, he focuses on investment funds, in particular their creation, administration and investment management. After 4 years spent in the Funds Administration team he is now part of the Investment Banking division of the Conseq financial group where he offers solutions for fund creation and bond issues.
Board Members (A – Z)
Taisia Nistorenco
Field: Private Equity
Bio
Taisia works in the field of international private equity investments, having spent several years as an M&A consultant (ex-KPMG). She has a double major in Finance and International Business with focus on Business Valuation and Corporate Finance and has taken an acclaimed Advanced Corporate Finance course at London School of Economics. Taisia has also led several finance courses at the University of Economics in Prague.
Adam Páleníček
Field: M&A / Law
Bio
Adam is an economist and expert in M&A. He studied economic policy and finance with minor specialization in business valuation. He has also completed courses at the London School of Economics and is currently finishing his studies at Charles University Law School. Adam works at KPMG where he focuses primarily on M&A, but also on valuation and analysis of companies and sectors of the national economy.
Josef Stehno
Field: Real Estate
Bio
Josef works as an Investment Analyst in PPF Real Estate, focusing on investments into commercial real estate assets across Europe. Prior to PPF Real Estate, he worked as a management consultant in Arthur D. Little with a focus on infrastructure projects in CEE region. Josef holds degrees in International Management and Economics from the CEMS program and the University of Economics in Prague.
Caroline White
Field: Risk Management
Bio
Caroline is a final year business administration and corporate finance undergraduate at the University of Economics, Prague and a current intern at McKinsey & Company where she utilizes her business acumen and multilingual abilities to carry out due diligence in-regards-to new clients and acquisitions. Upon graduating, she is keen to pursue a career in investment banking. She is responsible for the PFI’s social media platforms.
Evžen Harant
Field: Private Equity
Bio
Evžen obtained a bachelor’s degree in economics from Charles University in Prague. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in banking and finance at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland. He began his career with internships in an M&A boutique in Prague and in the Erste Group Bank in Vienna. Upon finishing his studies in Switzerland, he will return to Prague to work as an investment manager at the Czech private equity fund BHM group.
Jakub Kouřil
Field: M&A
Bio
Jakub graduated from the University of Technology in Brno and Nottingham Trent University and undertook courses at University of Trento. He is Associate at CORPIN, a leading M&A boutique on CZ & SK markets. Jakub is an enthusiastic person driven by curiosity, love, and passion for exploring new things. He is ferociously interested in the world of corporate finance, M&A and Private equity.