Marek Dospiva and Jaroslav Haščák’s Penta Group reported a record net profit of €714 million for 2025 – equivalent to almost CZK 17.5 billion – driven by growth across key segments, which was supported by capital investments totalling €1 billion.

For the first time in the group’s history, external investors contributed to this through two qualified investor funds. The Penta Equity Fund, which invests across the investment group’s entire portfolio, aims for annual returns of 12 to 13 per cent over a minimum five-year horizon. The Penta Real Estate Fund, meanwhile, targets returns of 14 to 15 percent. The first few months show that it is possible to exceed the targets.

“Our funds channel investors’ capital into projects in sectors where we have a long track record of success, in which we have confidence, and which we are able to develop further. Our ambition in these markets is to become the leader or a dominant player,” explains Tomáš Hochmeister, referring to the excellent start.

Perhaps the most prominent part of the portfolio is the property division, which is behind developments such as Masaryčka in Prague and the Bory district in Bratislava. Penta is currently working on a record 15 projects – ten in the Czech Republic, two in Slovakia and three in the UK, where, in partnership with the developer Ballymore, it is building over a thousand flats in London with an expected value of more than 28 billion crowns.

“The latest initiative is to enter the property market in the UK. Thanks to our partnership with Ballymore, a major and experienced local player, we have the opportunity to enter the top tier of London’s property development sector,” says Hochmeister, noting that new-build projects – which account for 80 per cent of the property fund’s activities – are the main driver behind the fund’s above-average performance.

However, the property sector accounts for just eight per cent of Penta’s overall business. The retail segment accounts for the largest share, at 61 percent, with the Dr. Max group serving as its flagship Its chain has grown to 3,200 pharmacies and is the undisputed leader in Central Europe. “Growth will continue,” promises Tomáš Hochmeister, adding that Dr. Max plans to invest up to €1.8 billion in development over the next five years.

Another significant part of the group’s investments in the retail sector is represented by Fortuna Entertainment Group, which last year acquired a 51 per cent stake in Lob in Montenegro and, alongside investments in AI and its own technologies, is continuing to make acquisitions this year as well. Penta is currently acquiring a 70 per cent stake in the Lithuanian company TOPsport. This transaction is the largest acquisition in the Penta Group’s history, underscoring the group’s growth ambitions.

Funds from external investors also contribute to the growth of Penta Hospitals, which comprises 47 hospitals, 60 health centres and a further 50 facilities. Last year, the portfolio expanded to include the Mediterra and SeneCura groups, as well as Dr. Pírek Clinic; the group also added the Prague College of Health Sciences, through which it, along with other educational centres, is focusing on training employees for its growing healthcare division.

Penta would like to launch additional funds. It could also appeal to retail investors, for whom an investment of less than one million crowns would suffice, which is the minimum threshold for current qualified investor funds. “We are considering various strategies. One option is a fund focused on healthcare. We intend to continue focusing on investment areas in which Penta excels and in which it has long had confidence. We have a high level of expertise in both healthcare and real estate,” says Tomáš Hochmeister, outlining the future.

Penta Fund already has over

7,900 investors

Funds from external investors

CZK 15 billion

Assets managed by Penta Fund

CZK 35 billion