Martín Varsavsky has founded more than ten companies across sectors including telecommunications, renewable energy, biotechnology, and autonomous vehicles. Born in Buenos Aires in 1960, he fled Argentina as a refugee at age 17 during the military dictatorship before pursuing higher education in New York and embarking on a career as an entrepreneur spanning several continents.
Early Career and Telecommunications
Varsavsky earned a BA from New York University in 1981, followed by an MA from Columbia University in 1983 and an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1985. His initial ventures included the real estate developer Urban Capital Corporation and Medicorp Sciences, which developed HIV and PSA diagnostic tests. In 1991, he established Viatel in Colorado to provide alternative long-distance services. After moving to Madrid in 1995, he launched Jazztel, an infrastructure provider that competed with Telefónica and went public on the London Stock Exchange in 1999. He also founded Ya.com, an internet service provider sold to T-Online International in 2000.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Energy and Connectivity
In late 2005, Varsavsky launched the WiFi service provider Fon in Madrid, securing backing from companies such as Google, Microsoft, and Skype. He later co-founded Eolia Renovables in 2007, which became a significant Spanish energy company operating solar and wind farms before its sale. In 2021, he co-founded Barter Energy to focus on solar communities; the firm was acquired by Visalia in 2025. Additionally, he founded Levere Holdings, a SPAC focused on mobility services and electric vehicles, in 2021.
Biotechnology and Artificial Intelligence
His healthcare ventures include Prelude Fertility, founded in 2016, and Overture Life, established in 2017 to automate embryology labs. Alongside Dina Radenkovic, he co-founded the biotechnology company Gameto in 2022 to address infertility using cell therapy. By 2025, their treatment, Fertilo, entered Phase 3 FDA-monitored trials. In 2026, he founded Certuma, an AI medical diagnostics company based in Austin, and launched Fast.doctor, an AI platform integrated with physician oversight.
Public Service and Autonomous Mobility
In March 2020, Varsavsky coordinated the development of the CoronaMadrid app to assist with symptom assessment during the COVID-19 pandemic. His involvement in mobility continued with the 2018 co-founding of Goggo Network, which operates autonomous vehicles and delivery robots in Europe. Through his fund, VAS Ventures, he has invested in various mobility-focused companies such as Ample, Voyage, and Mox.
Fast facts
- Born: 1960, Buenos Aires
- Citizenship: Spain, Argentina
- Education: New York University, Columbia University
- Telecommunications ventures: Viatel, Jazztel, Ya.com, Fon
- Biotechnology ventures: Prelude Fertility, Overture Life, Gameto
- Mobility ventures: Goggo Network, Levere Holdings
- AI ventures: Certuma, Fast.doctor
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Gameto?
Gameto utilizes cell therapy derived from induced pluripotent stem cells to treat infertility.
What was the purpose of the CoronaMadrid app?
It was developed at the request of the Community of Madrid to assess symptoms and reduce pressure on emergency services during the pandemic.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Prelude Fertility
- Educated at New York University and Columbia University
