I’m a Polish-born entrepreneur and investor focused on online business, real estate, and emerging markets. I’m the Founder and CEO of Samana Group, a real estate venture and development company building sustainable communities on the Samaná Peninsula in the Dominican Republic.
My entrepreneurial journey has taken me across multiple continents and industries. I co-founded Jumia Travel, which became Africa’s largest hotel booking platform and part of Jumia Group – later listed on the New York Stock Exchange. I’m also a co-founder of SunRoof, a European company developing integrated solar roofs that combine renewable energy with modern architecture.
My experience building startups in emerging markets – and navigating the realities of entrepreneurship outside Silicon Valley – became the story behind my book Chasing Black Unicorns, which went on to become a bestseller. (Subscribe to my newsletter to get the e-book for free).
Today my main focus is Samana Group and the long-term vision we are building in Samaná – a place that has become my home. Our projects – including Nomad City and the pioneering Samaná Land Trust – aim to demonstrate a different approach to real estate development: one that protects nature, respects local communities, and preserves the character of the region while allowing thoughtful growth. The ambition is not simply to build properties, but to help shape a sustainable future for one of the most extraordinary places in the world.
Outside of business, I’ve followed a somewhat unconventional path. I’ve worked as a snowboard instructor and a bartender – experiences that taught me resilience, independence, and how to connect with people from every walk of life. Today one of my biggest passions is motorsport. Racing has become an important outlet for the same mindset that drives entrepreneurship: focus, precision, and the constant pursuit of improvement.
My long-term goal is simple – to leave the world in slightly better shape than when I arrived.
Marek Zmysłowski Blog 