Mr. Roberto Hroval, the founder and chairman of Hong Kong-based PatentReal Corporation, is a serial entrepreneur. He is often referred to as “European Elon Musk” or “combination of modern-day Leonardo Da Vinci and Nikola Tesla”. After accomplishing more than 20 big projects in different industries, he believes his best times are yet to come – with the newest, more than 22-billion-dollar worth of systems for providing green energy directly from garbage and wood waste.
Tell us about yourself?
I am just a regular guy, trying to do best of what I am good at. I am a scientist and researcher in my heart, businessman by profession, and humanitarian and environmentalist in my soul. From my earlier years I was interested in science, improving things and development. How is that built? Why this engine runs this way? How come these electronics produce better results than another one? When I was ten, I managed to build a real car for two kids and drove friend along the street.
Five years later I went into my first real business, producing top-notch, hand-built hi-fi amplifiers. Besides amazing sound, I laid great stress to visual impression, as well. Thanks to the whole package, I charged five times more than well-known brands, like Sony, were priced. Then I invented, produced and sold a special device that solved a static electricity in the cars. This product brought me first serious money that I invested in new projects. And never looked back. Now, 25 years later, I am still as curious as I was at that times, full of energy, with big plans ahead. I was always shooting for the stars, never gave up, and always rose after defeat. This became my life moto as well: Fight like a lion and rise like a phoenix.
What makes your organization different or outstanding?
We develop solutions to big and hard to solve problems. I lived in poor surroundings where people have no money. In spite of that, I always targeted selected people who appreciated quality over affordability. Gradually my business philosophy developed; the one I still live by today: The product must be so good that it is almost impossible to improve it, no matter how much money, extra time, exclusive materials or manpower you invest. And it must look great, too.
Every project I work on expresses this spirit. Either it is a special technology for the cheapest desalinized water in the world… the most profitable biomass plant ever built… a special public chamber for destressing, and so on – they are all top-of-the-line products, solving worldwide problems. The other way I could explain our philosophy is “thinking out of the box” and “impossible doesn’t exist.” We, the whole team at PatentReal Corporation, are always striving to go way beyond usual and average, as much as circumstances allow.
How much potential market share can you achieve in the next 3 years?
Our company doesn’t build or sell classical products. We are a “all in one” organization, with our own research institute, as well. We spot world-wide problems, seek for the answers, test different solutions, build prototypes, make improvements … and after the years of testing and researching we launch it. Secondly, we do a lot of different projects: implosion-based flying saucer for future transportation, a line of special devices for reducing stress, another line of products for transferring all kinds of waste into energy, and so on. Some technologies are finished, some are about to be ready, some other are in a stage of pre-alpha series, and so on.
Who or what was your most influential book, person or philosophy while growing up?
In my teen years, I was a typical geek, fascinated by technology, astronomy, mechanics, electronics… But I didn´t have a role model or anything to live by. I never was a good reader, though; rather working with hands over sitting still. I was so full of energy that literally couldn’t calm down for two minutes. In later years, I enjoyed reading autobiographies of famous scientists and great leaders. And I always like to read a book that is based on good research, targeting edge-science, like “The Field” by Lynne McTaggart or “The Biology of Belief” by Bruce Lipton.
What are the best and worst business decisions you have ever made?
The worst decision was dealing with toxic or unprofessional people who didn’t deliver what they’ve promised. I was always about helping people and when somebody played the right strings, I felt sorry for him. So I offered him a work position they were not capable of accomplishing. And I overpaid them way too much. I was so naïve, thinking the more I pay them, the better they will work. Regarding my best decision, it was following my true self and instinct, no matter what. Even when 90 people out of 100 told me “This can´t be done” – but I knew in my heart it can be – I didn’t give up. Also, people often tell me that the quality of our products is too high; that we should lower standards ask for less money and sell more of the stuff. Well, I never did that and never will. At the end of the day, the results count. If I knew what is possible to achieve, I would go for it. And I strongly believe that the highest quality will always find the market. Maybe it will be a smaller one, but I am not interested in compromises. If we can´t do the best, we don’t even start. That´s the philosophy I build every decision on.
What takes up too much of your time?
I don’t have a standard work day. Luckily, my family knows that and supports me fully. Most of the days I work on projects. It is my work, hobby and relaxation at the same time. I love researching things. Sometimes when I come back from work in the middle of the night, I turn the computer or TV on and watch some interesting documentaries, even up to the morning hours. But don’t get me wrong – working over the clock actually gives me energy. If you take this from me, I would be miserable. If I had to choose what is my worst time investment, I would say dealing with inappropriate people. This is time and also energy consuming.
What three pieces of advice would you give to college students/new startup business owners who want to become entrepreneurs?
Find your goal and define it. Derive from your talents and gifts, because it is like a marriage – you can´t just walk away from the project tomorrow. So, make it joyful and let it inspire you, give you energy. If you hate what you do, you will bring these feelings home and become grouchy. You have to enjoy what you do. Then, focus on outstanding quality.
If you are good at what you do, people will recognize it. But you have to deal with the stuff in your head: you have to believe you are worthy – first. A lot of people want to get praised form others while deep inside they don´t praise themselves. This is not going to work. People around you only mirror your energy. If you feel like a king, everybody will treat you the same. I am not talking about arrogance and haughtiness, but being confident and trusting your guts. People feel that. And you can´t fake it; either you are confident or not. So my advice is, work on your inner powers a lot.
Lastly, you will most likely fail at the timing. We usually derive from an optimal scenario not from the real one. Be realistic in your timing and let everybody know the true facts. Don´t fake anything and don´t rely on chance. And you will have to develop discipline. Staying focused is, beside others, great personality trait. It will give you an unfair advantage in this crazy world.
Who has impressed you most with what they’ve accomplished?
The greatest scientist of all time, one and only Nikola Tesla. A man who built, with his ingenious inventions, foundations for electrical era we are still in… and who lived centuries ahead of his time. He dedicated his whole life to science. People don’t know, but his greatest motivation was to make the world better. Not only to provide free electricity to all people, but to improve their lives on all levels. He gave up family, spare time, and “usual” life to contribute as much as he could in his lifetime. My all respect goes to this man, hands down.
Tell us about something you are proud of – about your greatest challenge.
We are about to launch our greatest project so far, called Project Phoenix8. It is a big plant that “eats” garbage to produce energy, completely green way, with no emissions whatsoever. A lot of companies tried to build that kind of technology but with no success. This is way ahead of even recycling. With this technology you solve two of the big world-wide problems: what to do with increasing waste that pollutes more and more waters, nature, and waste dumps… and where to get cheat and green energy. The heart of the plant is special, three-patents-ready technology, called Product Reincarnation Technology™ or PRT. After patenting it, we will be the only company in the world offering PRT. The good news is that the machinery is already produced and working. We were testing it for the last eight years and we are planning to start building Project Pheonix8 factory in EU later this year. I am very proud of that project and very happy that everyone will be able to participate in it, through our digital currency PP8 that will be available over crypto exchanges.
How people should connect with you?
The best way is through my personal website, www.robertohroval.com, there is a contact form. Feel free to write to me if you resonate with our projects. I always read the “real” letters and I am wide open to supporters, positively thinking people, potential investors…