Juraj Gago
Juraj Gago | |
|---|---|
 Gago in 2022, August | |
| Born | |
| Nationality | Slovak-American |
| Alma mater | Business Academy Aarhus Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, Author |
| Organization(s) | Simplicity (Co-founder and Co-CEO) Perry Talents (Co-founder) |
Juraj Gago is a Slovak entrepreneur, author, and co-founder of the technology company Simplicity, based in Palo Alto, California. He also co-founded Perry Talents, a startup accelerator in Slovakia.
Early life and education
[edit]Gago was born in Trenčín, Slovakia. At the age of 16, he participated in a high school exchange program in the United States, which influenced his interest in entrepreneurship. He studied International Business at the Business Academy Aarhus in Denmark and Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences in Germany,[1][2] where he met his business partner, Andrej Krúpa.[3][4]
Career
[edit]During his university years, Gago began his entrepreneurial career by founding a startup. In 2020, he co-founded Simplicity, which focused on AI-powered urban communication and city navigation.[5][6][7] The company’s primary product, Charlie AI, provides navigation and customized recommendations in over 100 cities.[8][9][10][11] The platform is used in major U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Miami, to enhance urban living and improve the overall quality of life for both residents and tourists.[12][13][14] Backed by U.S. and European investors like Venture to Future and Zero Gravity Capital, Simplicity has raised $15 million in funding.[15][16][17][18][19]
Gago’s work with Simplicity has drawn partners and investors, including NBA player Stephen Curry, former footballer Luis Figo, and DJ D-Nice.[20][21][22][23][24][25]
In 2016, Gago co-founded Perry Talents, a Slovak startup accelerator that provides mentorship and funding for early-stage businesses.[26][27]
Publications
[edit]Gago co-authored Hlava 20 (2016) and Hlava 21 (2018) with Andrej Krúpa. Both became bestsellers, addressing the challenges faced by the younger generation.[28][29][1]
Personal life
[edit]Gago resides in Palo Alto, California, with his family. He is a triathlete and participates in endurance events.[1]
Awards
[edit]- Forbes Slovakia 30 Under 30 (2021)[27][4]
- Central European Startup Awards: Best Startup Accelerator in Slovakia for Perry Talents (2019)[1]
- Panta Rhei Awards: Nominated for Book of the Year for Hlava 21 (2018)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "The project of young Slovaks uses a city in California and they even dare to go to Stanford".
- ^ "Juraj Gago - Co-founder & Co-ceo at Simplicity". THE ORG. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ "Juraj Gago and Sndrej Krúpa".
- ^ a b SOFT, Simplicity by PERRY. "All city communities, organizations and residents in one app". Simplicity. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ "Simplicity" (PDF).
- ^ "Simplicity - Founders and Board of Directors - Tracxn". tracxn.com. 2024-11-05. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ Kiripolská, Karolína (2022-12-07). "New York will use the Slovak application Simplicity. If everyone there uses it, the startup of the young Trencic will earn 30 million dollars". Denník E (in Slovak). Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ "The city in mobile: Startup Simplicity aims for America with an application for municipalities".
- ^ Jaroševský, Filip (2023-12-07). "Guys from Slovakia teach the town hall to "chat" with the locals. Assistant Charlie will also help". iDNES.cz. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ Zeman, Lukáš (2022-08-23). "City in mobile: Startup Simplicity aims for America with an application for municipalities". Financial Garant (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Nuaktiv. "Stay in touch with the city and always have verified information at your fingertips". Pezinok (in Slovak). Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Slovak startup expands to American cities". www.trend.sk (in Slovak). 2022-02-21. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ Brejcák, Peter (2022-12-14). "New York, Miami or Buffalo. The Slovak tool for communication between cities and their inhabitants conquers the USA". CzechCrunch (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Morávek, Martin (2022-12-07). "Slovak startup Simplicity has become the official mobile application for New York City". techvia.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Slovak startup Simplicity received an investment of 7 million euros. He is heading to the US with the application".
- ^ "Government to citizen communications platform Simplicity raises $8.5 million". Tech.eu. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ FinSMEs (2021-08-21). "Simplicity Raises $8.5M in Seed Funding". FinSMEs. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Investments of more than 10 million dollars will help Slovak startup Simplicity to grow and expand in the world" (in Slovak). Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Dodává informace a chce bojovat proti hoaxum. Ted startup Simplicity získal 7 milionu eur na expanzi do USA". StartupInsider.cz (in Czech). Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Stephen Curry Joins Simplicity, Silicon Valley Startup Building Super App For Cities". Fox 59. 2023-02-22. Retrieved 2024-11-06.
- ^ Bacová, Jana (2023-02-23). "Significant step by Simplicity: The four-time NBA champion joins forces with a Slovak startup". Startitup.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Kamau, Pie; Weekly, Startup. "Steph Curry's SC30 joins Simplicity, Silicon Valley AI-driven startup building super app for cities". Startup Weekly. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "STEPHEN CURRY JOINS SIMPLICITY, SILICON VALLEY STARTUP BUILDING SUPER APP FOR CITIES". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ "Stephen Curry Joins Forces With AI Platform Simplicity To Help Cities Connect With Their Residents".
- ^ Dorisca, Samantha. "D-Nice Joins Silicon Valley-Based Startup Simplicity As Investor And Ambassador". AfroTech. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
- ^ "Perry Talents Will Offer You Premises, Mentors And Financial Assistance From September".
- ^ a b "Young Talents From Forbes 30 Under 30 Establish A Platform To Help Slovak Startups".
- ^ "Pantarhei - Hlava 20".
- ^ "Pantarhei - Hlava 21".