This is a profile image of Tomas Laboutka

Tomas Laboutka

Associate PartnerSingapore

Helps companies build new digital businesses

Tomas helps companies build and scale digital businesses by bringing innovation to traditional industries. By combining the experimental nature of start-ups with the operational excellence of corporates, he helps clients create innovative solutions quickly, in a rigorous and focused way. Specifically, he looks to accelerate the product-market fit cycle as a means to building new businesses.

Tomas has extensive experience as an entrepreneur, having built and scaled four ventures in Asia and Central Europe over the last decade. Most recently he sold his last venture—a B2B and B2C mobile travel app—to a private-equity fund. He has also cofounded, led, and mentored various communities to support entrepreneurship and leadership in Europe and Asia, including SEA Founders, which helps CEOs of “Series A” and “Series B” companies scale in Southeast Asia.

Published work

Targeting an untapped fintech market worth trillions: A conversation with Arta Finance’s Caesar Sengupta,” McKinsey & Company, February 2024

Now is the time to create new corporate ventures: A conversation with McKinsey’s Paul Jenkins,” McKinsey & Company, January 2024

Disrupting a mature industry with a digital solution: A conversation with Mlion’s Eric Leong,” McKinsey & Company, September 2023

A practical guide to new-business building for incumbents,” McKinsey & Company, June 2023

Make room for alternative proteins: What it takes to build a new sector,” McKinsey & Company, March 2022

One start-up’s successful organizational approach to speed and flexibility,” McKinsey & Company, December 2020

How to plan a successful leadership succession at a start-up,” McKinsey & Company, October 2020

Scaling a start-up: Launching innovative products in international markets,” McKinsey & Company, August 2020

Past experience

SEA Founders
Founder, board member

FL Ventures
Founding partner, managing director

HotelQuickly
CEO, cofounder

Try.audiovisiual
Cofounder, managing director

FOLA
Cofounder, owner

EDUCATION

CEMS
MiM

Rotterdam School of Management
MiM

Erasmus University
MiM

University of Economics, Prague
MS, international business
BS, international business

University of Edinburgh
BS, international business