Michael Szalontay

Michael Szalontay is a prominent figure in the venture capital industry. Here are the key details about him:

Professional Background

Michael Szalontay is the Co-founder and General Partner at Flashpoint, an international technology investment firm.12 He started Flashpoint in 2012 with a university friend, initially as a venture capital business, which has since evolved into a broader technology investment firm.2

Expertise and Focus

Flashpoint, under Szalontay's leadership, focuses on:

• Backing software companies with global ambitions
• Investing in businesses built by founders from Emerging Europe and Israel
• Managing venture capital, secondary buy-out, and venture debt funds2

Education and Early Career

Szalontay's background includes:

• Advanced BA in Economics degree with honors
• CFA® charterholder
• Previous roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Renaissance Capital, and Renaissance Private Equity (now Elbrus Capital)2

Forbes Finance Council Membership

As an Official Member of the Forbes Finance Council, Szalontay regularly contributes articles on venture capital and investment topics. His recent publications include:

• "Why Are Exits A Perennial Problem For VCs?" (June 2024)
• "Co-Investment As A Stand-Alone Product In The VC Space" (March 2024)
• "Direct Secondaries: A New Escape Route From The Illiquidity Matrix" (December 2023)2

Investment Philosophy

Szalontay advocates for:

• Regular evaluation of investments as buy, hold, or sell
• Proactive approach to exits in venture capital
• Contrarian investment techniques in venture capital12

His insights and expertise in venture capital, particularly in emerging markets and technology investments, make him a respected voice in the finance and investment community.