Running a Company, Piloting Planes, and Investing: The Dynamic Life of Damir Špoljarič

Entrepreneur Damir Špoljarič doesn’t waste time. As he explains in this interview, his company VSHosting boasts the largest hosting datacenter in the Czech Republic, has plans for expansion in Germany, and anticipates significant investments by his Gi21. In addition to all this, he pilots planes and manages his investment vehicles.

The Beginning

From a side street near Prague’s Hostivař, an unusual building is hidden behind a high fence. When you drive around it, you realize it’s surrounded by a moat, like a medieval fortress. This is the home of VSHosting, the largest web hosting company in the Czech Republic. Inside, there is a state-of-the-art data center hosting websites for major online stores such as Datart, Pilulka, Notino, Primus, and Trigema real estate developers. Recently, Rohlik has also joined this impressive list.

The building features advanced security technologies. “If I could only say a fraction of what we have here, no one would believe me,” says Damir Špoljarič, the founder of VSHosting. “Our servers are powered by five independent sources of electricity. If there is an outage, we have our own water-cooled backup generators, designed to operate even if there is a problem with the main power grid. Our data center is one of the most secure in the country.”

Balancing Roles: Pilot, CEO, and Investor

How do you manage to pilot a plane, run a company, and still find time to invest?

I’m always thinking of new projects. I’ve been investing for about two years, but I’m still learning. I am very cautious about the stock market because of my lack of experience. I use a fund to invest in companies, like Alpha Aviation. It’s not about the money, though. I invest because I enjoy it, and I love being involved in new projects. The financial gains are secondary to me. I like to see my efforts bring results. I’m also interested in new technology, and sometimes, I do something purely for fun. That’s how I got into flying planes.

Do you get up early?

I go to bed early and wake up early. I usually get up around 5 a.m. I find the mornings very productive. I handle a lot of work while others are still sleeping. I go through my emails, and then I plan my day. I like to fly in the mornings because there is less air traffic. On weekends, I take my family flying. We fly to places like Greece, Italy, or Spain. Once, we even went to the Grand Prix in Italy.

Customer Growth and Business Strategy

Your customers are growing. What do you think is behind this?

We started in 2006, and the competition was intense. But we survived. Nowadays, there is a lot of demand for our services. We are attracting new clients and retaining the old ones. Many of our clients have been with us for years.

Are you satisfied with your growth?

I’m never completely satisfied. There is always room for improvement. We are planning to expand into the German market. In Germany, the competition is tough, but we believe we can offer something new. We are also looking at the markets in the East. So far, the response has been positive.

International Clients and Market Focus

Your company has a lot of international clients. What is your strategy?

Our focus is on e-commerce and hosting solutions. We also provide special solutions for large companies. For instance, we have developed a system that can handle millions of transactions per second. This is something that our competitors can’t offer. We are also focusing on data security, which is becoming increasingly important.

Investment Approach and Market Trends

Do you invest in the stock market?

Yes, but very cautiously. I prefer to invest in companies I understand. Recently, I invested in the Czech company Rohlik. I believe in their business model and growth potential. I also invest in technology companies, as they align with my interests and expertise.

Do you use artificial intelligence in your company?

Yes, in several areas. For example, we use AI for technical support and market analysis. We also use it to predict server failures and prevent them before they happen. This saves us a lot of time and money.

The Future of VSHosting and the Data Center Market

What about the future?

We are planning to open a new data center in France, followed by one in Slovakia. We are also considering expanding into other European countries. Our goal is to become a major player in the European market.

Closing Thoughts

Damir Špoljarič lost more than 100 kilograms in five years. “It started with simple, stupid, but objective reasons: to fit into the cockpit,” says the entrepreneur.

What is your approach to health and fitness?

I started exercising seriously about five years ago. I needed to lose weight to fit into the cockpit of my plane. Since then, it has become a part of my daily routine. I run, lift weights, and try to stay active. It helps me manage stress and keeps me focused.

Do you think the e-commerce market will continue to grow?

Yes, definitely. The pandemic has accelerated the growth of e-commerce. More people are shopping online, and this trend will continue. Companies that invest in their online presence will thrive. We are ready to support them with our hosting solutions.

What are your plans for the next five years?

We have ambitious plans. We want to double our capacity and expand our services. We are also planning to enter new markets. The future looks bright, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead. And also I want to open my fund Gi21 for all investors.

Read the full version in Czech — By Ondrej Charvat from Hospodarske Noviny.