Ivo Valenta: from Czech gambling empire to humanoid robots for schools

Czech billionaire Ivo Valenta, founder of the Synot gambling empire, is unveiling an unexpected project — a humanoid robot named Orbi, which he donated to a school. Behind the unusual gesture lies a calculation: the entrepreneur sees educational robotics as a promising new direction for his business.

Valenta built Synot, a group of companies operating in the gambling industry across dozens of countries, starting out in the Slovácko region of Moravia and turning it into a billion-crown holding. But alongside his core business, he also runs other projects that have nothing to do with the blinking lights of slot machines.

One of them is precisely this bet on robots. The robot Orbi — bald and dressed in light-colored clothing, just like the billionaire himself — can perform kung fu moves and is already interacting with students at the school where the entrepreneur sent it. Valenta explains why he bought the robot for the school and how students will be able to use it in their lessons.

Behind what looks like a charitable gesture lies long-term business logic: Valenta has spotted serious commercial potential in humanoid robots for development through Synot's structures, as he seeks to diversify his business empire beyond its traditional gambling core.