In 2012, Michael Szalontay started Flashpoint as a venture capital business together with a close university friend, Alex Konoplyasty.
Michael spent his childhood mostly in Budapest. He studied at ELTE Apáczai Csere János High School and Dormitory in Budapest and later received an advanced BA in Economics degree with honors at MSIIR. Following his time at university, he worked as an Audit Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers, then as an Analyst and later Associate roles in the investment banking department of Renaissance Capital, and subsequently in Vice President and Director roles at Renaissance Private Equity (currently Elbrus Capital). He is also a CFA charterholder.