Pavel Hübner Feature
Pavel Hübner is the co-founder and CEO of HARDWARIO. Read our Pavel Hübner feature below:
Pavel Hübner has more than 20 years of experience in electronics development, embedded software, project management, and product launch into production. He coordinated the market introduction of a wide range of successful products and worked as the head of applied development in the JABLOTRON group, where he gained extensive experience with product definition and optimization for manufacturability. Pavel Hübner spent part of his life in Shenzhen, China, the heart of the global electronics business. In 2016, Pavel co-founded the company HARDWARIO with the goal of transforming the Industrial IoT space thanks to LPWAN technologies and non-invasive deployments. His company, HARDWARIO, counts 28 people today (mostly electronics, embedded, and software engineers) and has been listed on the Prague Stock Exchange since 2022.
[Q U I C K N O T E S]
- Position: Co-Founder, CEO
- Industry: IoT, Emerging Tech, Entrepreneur
- Location: Liberec, Czech Republic
- Website: HARDWARIO
- LinkedIn: Pavel Hübner
Pavel, can you start off by telling us about yourself and why you chose entrepreneurship?
I’ve always been driven by the idea of creating something that makes people’s lives easier, and that’s what led me to build a modular IoT platform. I wanted to give individuals and businesses the tools to accomplish their goals seamlessly. Entrepreneurship also gave me the opportunity to build the kind of team I had always dreamed of—one that thrives on an open culture, where innovation and collaboration are paramount. Along the way, I discovered that I really enjoy the business side of things as well. It’s been a rewarding journey to combine my love for technology with building a company from the ground up.
Tell us about your vision of your company in the next 2-3 years.
We want to become the IoT superstars. In the next few years, we’re aiming for much greater exposure, particularly in larger markets like the U.S. But no matter how much we grow, one thing I’m committed to is maintaining the same passion and innovation that drives us today. I want our team to stay as engaged and creative as we are now, even as we expand.
Can you tell us what drives you to be successful as an entrepreneur and CEO?
The people around me, without a doubt. My colleagues and business partners are incredibly supportive, and they share the same passion for what we’re building. When you have a team that truly believes in your vision and partners who appreciate what you provide, it’s hard not to be motivated to push forward every day.
What’s the one or two accomplishments that you’re proud of?
One of my biggest points of pride is the loyalty of the engineers who helped start HARDWARIO with us eight years ago. They’re still with us, and that kind of long-term relationship is rare and invaluable. Another proud moment was our IPO on the Prague Stock Exchange in 2022. It showed that our IoT platform, built right here in Liberec, could grab global attention.
What advice do you have for other up-and-coming entrepreneurs?
First and foremost, make sure you love what you do. That passion will keep you going when times get tough. And be persistent—super persistent. Don’t give up easily. Also, don’t start a business just for money. As Henry Ford said, “A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.” You need a deeper purpose to stay motivated and create something lasting.
Are you active on social media professionally? If so, what platforms work best for engaging your followers?
Yes, I’m quite active on LinkedIn—that’s where we engage most professionally. But we also maintain a presence on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. So, you can find us on whichever platform you prefer.
Who was your biggest influence?
This might sound cliché, but my dad was a big influence. His calm attitude in any situation was something I admired. And the founder of my first employer showed me that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of your values. He demonstrated that you can do well without losing your integrity. For me, humility is the number one quality of true leadership.
What is the most challenging part of your work as a CEO?
Delegation. Early on, it’s easy to be involved in every aspect of the business, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing when you’re shaping your vision. But as we grow, I’m realizing that you can’t be everywhere. Scaling means I have to trust my team and delegate more, which is easier said than done. I’m still learning to focus on the most important parts of the business and let go of the rest.
What do you have your sights set on next?
To make our products and platforms more widely recognized, we need to create more content around them. This will drive product improvement. On the business side, we’re focusing on optimizing our sales and lead generation process in a more systematic, almost algorithmic way.
What is a day in your life like?
Most mornings, I take my sons to kindergarten and school before starting my workday with a coffee at my desk. The day is usually a mix of navigating business challenges, collaborating with my team, and spending time with customers. I still provide a lot of technical support to our clients, and I enjoy that—it’s valuable feedback and a good way to stay connected to the people using our products.
Do you have any hobbies?
Besides PCB design and firmware development? I enjoy hiking, swimming, and traveling. I also love exploring spicy cuisine from different parts of the world.
What makes you smile?
I’m known for smiling quite a lot—some might say I have a rosy outlook on life! But my little boys always make me smile, no matter what kind of mischief they’re up to.
What are you never without?
Apart from hiking, I’m almost always carrying my J-Link—a USB debugger for microcontrollers. It’s like a security blanket for engineers!
What scares you?
Public speaking. I’m a hard introvert, so standing in front of a crowd gives me a huge adrenaline rush. But that’s exactly why I push myself to do it more often—it’s important to face your fears head-on.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
New Zealand, without a doubt. I’ve only been there once, but I’ve traveled a lot, and nothing else has come close to the scenery in New Zealand. Of course, there’s still plenty on my bucket list, but that place was truly special.
Other work, published articles, interviews or accomplishments:
~ Pavel Hübner Feature
