The Visionary Behind Poland’s E-Commerce Giants
Marcin Grzymkowski: From eObuwie to Sportano – The Visionary Behind Poland’s E-Commerce Giants
Marcin Grzymkowski, one of the most accomplished Polish entrepreneurs of the last two decades, has officially closed a major chapter in his professional journey. In 2024, he sold the last of his shares in Modivo Group, the parent company of eObuwie—the e-commerce brand he founded in 2006 and built into one of Poland’s most successful digital ventures. What began with a modest investment of PLN 10,000 has evolved into a business valued in the billions. Today, as Grzymkowski turns his full attention to his newest venture, Sportano, he leaves behind a legacy of transformative innovation in Polish e-commerce—and a fortune now estimated at over PLN 1.4 billion, placing him among the 100 richest Poles.
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eObuwie: A Pioneer in Polish Online Retail
Grzymkowski’s entrepreneurial journey began at a time when online shopping was still in its infancy in Central and Eastern Europe. Founded in Zielona Góra in 2006, eObuwie was born from a simple but powerful idea: to bring footwear shopping online, at a time when Allegro was virtually the only player in Polish e-commerce. With early success fueled by low competition and effective execution, the business quickly grew in scale and reputation. In 2016, the shoe retailer caught the attention of CCC S.A., a publicly listed footwear giant led by Dariusz Miłek. CCC acquired a 75% stake in eObuwie for PLN 231 million, with the company generating roughly PLN 140 million in annual revenue and over PLN 20 million in EBITDA at the time. The partnership with CCC gave eObuwie the financial backing and operational support to expand aggressively. In the years that followed, Grzymkowski added Modivo, an online fashion platform, creating a powerful e-commerce group combining footwear and clothing. By 2021, eObuwie and Modivo had become a powerhouse. CCC bought an additional 20% of the company for PLN 720 million, only to later sell the stake to companies tied to billionaires Rafał Brzoska and Zygmunt Solorz for PLN 1 billion—a massive testament to the group’s surging valuation. Despite holding onto 5% of Modivo Group shares, Grzymkowski stepped away from managing the business in 2021, signaling a new phase in his career.
Sportano: A High-Stakes Bet on Sports E-Commerce
In December 2021, Grzymkowski launched Sportano, a premium multibrand sports e-commerce platform. Unlike eObuwie, which began with modest capital and little competition, Sportano required tens of millions of złoty in upfront investment—reflecting both the increased complexity of today’s market and the entrepreneur’s own raised ambitions.
With its wide portfolio of brands, dynamic warehouse operations, and customer-first philosophy, Sportano aims to become the leading destination for sports enthusiasts across Europe. In 2024, the company doubled its revenue to PLN 83 million, prompting its lead investor, bValue Fund, to inject another €6 million into the business.
For Grzymkowski, Sportano isn’t just another venture—it’s the evolution of his entrepreneurial DNA. It’s also a chance to apply everything he learned from two decades of scaling an e-commerce giant, including insights from business leaders like Dariusz Miłek, whom he credits for shaping his strategic thinking.
Reflections on Wealth, Risk, and Reinvention
When asked about what it feels like to exit a business that defined nearly 20 years of his life, Grzymkowski has suggested that letting go was both inevitable and timely. He believes he exited eObuwie and Modivo at the right moments—riding the waves of e-commerce and maximizing returns when valuations peaked.
Importantly, despite now being among Poland’s wealthiest individuals, Grzymkowski remains grounded and motivated. “Having a billion złoty doesn’t fundamentally change you,” he has suggested in previous interviews. “But it gives you the freedom to build what you believe in without compromise.”
Sportano is that belief in action—a high-risk, high-reward venture built from scratch using personal capital that could have otherwise purchased entire established companies. But for Grzymkowski, the goal is not just financial gain. It’s about building something meaningful, once again.
A Model for the Polish Startup Ecosystem
Marcin Grzymkowski’s journey mirrors the rise of Poland’s startup ecosystem. From launching one of the country’s first online shoe stores to negotiating billion-złoty exits and now spearheading innovation in sports retail, his story is both a blueprint and an inspiration for the next generation of Polish founders.
As he enters the next chapter of his entrepreneurial life with Sportano, investors and observers alike will be watching closely—because when Grzymkowski bets on something, it tends to grow into an empire.
