Pavel Baudiš
Pavel Baudiš | |
|---|---|
 Baudiš in 2016 | |
| Born | May 1960 (age 66) |
| Education | Prague University of Chemical Technology |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Co-founder of Avast |
| Children | 2 |
Pavel Baudiš (born May 1960)[1]is a Czech software engineer, entrepreneur and the co-founder of Avast along with Eduard Kučera. He became the largest Gen Digital individual or non-institutional shareholder.[2][3][4] As of 2024, he is the 8th wealthiest person in the Czech Republic, with a net worth of more than $2.3 billion according to Forbes.[5]
Biography
Baudiš was born in Prague and studied information technology at the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague. He subsequently worked as a graphics specialist at the Research Institute of Mathematical Machines (VÚMS).[6]
In 1988, while working at VÚMS, Baudiš encountered the Vienna virus on a floppy disk and developed a program to detect and remove it. The program became a key component of the first Avast antivirus engine.[7] He subsequently worked with his colleague Eduard Kučera on developing and distributing antivirus software. Baudiš and Kučera established the ALWIL Software partnership in 1991, following the fall of communism in Czechoslovakia.[6]
In 2001, ALWIL began offering Avast antivirus software free to home users, a strategy that helped expand its international user base. Avast reached one million users in 2003 and 20 million by 2006.[7] ALWIL Software was renamed Avast Software in 2010, taking the name of its best-known product.[8]
Avast was listed on the London Stock Exchange in May 2018 at a valuation of $3.23 billion. At the time, it was the largest technology IPO in Europe that year and one of the five largest technology IPOs in the history of the London Stock Exchange.[9]
In September 2022, NortonLifeLock completed its acquisition of Avast, and Baudiš joined the NortonLifeLock board as an independent director.[10] The company was renamed Gen Digital in November 2022.[11][12]
Investments
After Avast became successful, Baudiš began investing in other Czech businesses. Together with Eduard Kučera he invested through the R2G group, including in companies such as Rohlik Group.[13]
He also invested in the redevelopment of Prague's former InterContinental hotel into the Fairmont Golden Prague, and in 2025 became the majority owner of the company that owns the hotel.[14]
Philanthropy
Baudiš has supported charitable causes since the 2000s, initially together with his wife Jarmila and later through the Avast Foundation.[15]
In 2020, Baudiš, Eduard Kučera and their wives established the Abakus foundation, which is focused on palliative care and support for people with disabilities. By 2025, it had distributed nearly CZK 400 million.[16]
References
- ↑ https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/A6BhW_Ye8ipgUU-hiZKn-mgBOXU/appointments
- ↑ "Gen Digital Stock Ownership - Who Owns Gen Digital in 2025? | WallStreetZen". www.wallstreetzen.com. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ↑ "Pavel Baudis - Czech Billionaires 2023". Forbes (in Czech). 2025-04-02. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ↑ Jahanpour, Arshiya (2024-12-08). "Richest People in the Czech Republic: Wealth Rankings and Influential Figures". Prague Business Journal. Retrieved 2025-04-19.
- ↑ "Pavel Baudis profile". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
- 1 2 "Registration Statement". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 22 December 2011. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- 1 2 Brewster, Thomas (12 July 2019). "The Czech Cyber Billionaire Who Built A Fortune On Free Software". Forbes. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Macich, Jiří (2 June 2010). "Alwil Software se přejmenoval, nyní je z něj Avast Software". Lupa.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Avast – top five largest tech IPO of all time on London Stock Exchange". London Stock Exchange Group. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "NortonLifeLock Completes Merger with Avast". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Introducing Gen: The Company to Power Digital Freedom". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ "Gen Digital Inc. 2026 Proxy Statement". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 2026. Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Souček, Ondřej (30 January 2022). "Miliardy za Avast protočíme v českých firmách, říká v rozhovoru pro E15 Pavel Baudiš". E15 (in Czech). Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Mareš, Michael (14 November 2025). "Miliardářská škatulata. Baudiš si se Šlemrem prohodil podíl v pražském hotelu Fairmont a PFNonwovens". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Šálek, Marek (23 April 2021). "Manželé Baudišovi: Nechceme jen říct „tady máte peníze a na shledanou"". Reporter (in Czech). Retrieved 28 August 2026.
- ↑ Mareš, Michael (21 October 2025). "Co dokáže 400 milionů korun. Kučera s Baudišem se svým nadačním fondem během pěti let změnili paliativní péči v Česku". Hospodářské noviny (in Czech). Retrieved 28 August 2026.