Ákos Maróy – Get to know our VAB member
We would like to introduce our member Ákos Maróy, who recently joined the VAB community from Switzerland. He is a C-level leader, board advisor and innovator whose background centres on startups, scaleups and Big Tech (Google and Meta). His has broad range of service as a trusted advisor and board member: spanning from startups through non-profit media to supporting community empowerment and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) engineering initiatives. Ákos founded several enterprises, including a software outsourcing company, EU Edge; a Machine Learning e-commerce tech startup, Scarab Research; and an aviation AR business, Aero Glass. He has decades long involvement with European-level R&D initiatives, and is a jury member at the EIC Accelerator & Transition funding programmes. He was also an active media- and bio-artist; exhibiting globally including Japan, Korea, Italy, Germany, China, Russia, Austria and Mexico and is now on the Jury of the Biodesign Challenge (New York) and the iGEM Competition (Paris). And he launched Átlátszó.hu in Hungary, a non-profit NGO watchdog and independent investigative journalism portal. Ákos is open to board and executive opportunities (namely, Chief Data Officer or Chief Technology Officer) and is always looking for new connections and collaborations. So feel free to contact him if you would like to learn more about his board ambitions.
What inspired you to become a member of the Virtual Advisory Board community?
The people. Before joining, I had the privilege of knowing and working with some VAB members, and I was consistently impressed by their professionalism, expertise and character. Their insights, collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach made it clear that this was a community worth being a part of.
In what area do you feel board advisors can add the most value for Boards of Directors (BoDs) and executive teams?
Board advisors provide the greatest value by offering unique perspectives that complement the expertise of executive teams and directors. The most effective boards are composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, united by a common goal. Advisors help fill knowledge gaps, bring external industry insights and act as a bridge between innovation and governance. By challenging assumptions, broadening strategic thinking and providing an objective outside-in perspective, they enable boards to make more informed decisions, capitalise on emerging opportunities and proactively mitigate risks.
What would be your dream company/organisation to work with as a board advisor/NED?
I believe I can add the most value to technology-driven organisations—whether in established enterprises navigating digital transformation or high-growth tech companies scaling their operations. In the future, all companies will be technology companies in one way or another, as digitalisation, automation and AI become integral to every industry. My expertise lies in identifying technology opportunities and risks, as well as highlighting the unique challenges and operational nuances that differentiate tech-driven businesses. By bringing this perspective to the board level, I help organisations unlock technology-driven initiatives, optimise efficiency and proactively manage technology risks, ensuring they remain both competitive and resilient in an ever-evolving landscape.
What book or podcast would you recommend to VAB members that might improve their skills in corporate governance, board advisory or boosting board-to-executive team communications?
Instead of recommending a book, my suggestion is immersion-direct, unfiltered experience. No curated tours, no hotel chains and stepping outside your social class. Dive not only into how others live, but also how they experiment—through art, habits and self-expression. Step beyond the familiar, keep an open mind and reflect—not just on what you see, but on how vastly different people are. At the end of the day, the people you experience shape your organisation and are your customers. Understanding this diversity firsthand isn’t just eye-opening—it’s strategic.
