Marcin Zientek

marcin zientek financial adviser final
Email To Book
Linkedin

Bio

Marcin Zientek is a business advisor and founder of Zientek Global, supporting SMEs and early-stage businesses to grow through clearer strategy, stronger commercial thinking, and access to external funding when appropriate. He combines a practical “operator’s eye” (what will actually work day-to-day) with an outsider’s perspective that helps founders and CEOs see options they cannot see when they are deep in the business.

Marcin’s early career was in wealth management and financial advice, working with high-net-worth individuals and building a London office for a boutique firm. A client encouraged him to move from portfolio-building into advising businesses - recognising his ability to work with leaders, challenge assumptions and help decision-makers think “outside the box”.

He has run his own advisory business since 2014 and is also entrepreneurial personally, including operating a serviced apartments business with his wife. In the last several years Marcin has worked across hospitality, leisure, accommodation, drinks brands and tech - including helping European founders bridge into the UK market (connecting them with the right lawyers, accountants and early investor conversations).

He has supported businesses from inception through to scale - from early idea and business plan through to launch, expansion and new product rollouts.

Focus of 1-2-1 Session

Marcin is a strong fit for founders and small teams (pre-revenue through to scaling SMEs) who want a practical, commercially minded sounding board - especially in hospitality, leisure, accommodation, food and drink, and founder-led businesses where the next stage requires better structure and clearer execution. He can also support tech-led startups on the business side (strategy, positioning, commercial logic, fundraising readiness), particularly where they are expanding into the UK or need help translating ambition into a workable plan.

A 1:1 with Marcin is typically a hands-on working session focused on clarity, direction and action. Common areas include:

  • Getting unstuck - when the business is “ticking along” but progress has plateaued, and you need a clear plan to move forward.
  • Strategy and direction - pressure-testing options, choosing a path, and translating ideas into priorities, timelines and next steps.
  • Commercial reality checks - clarifying your target customer and route to market (avoiding the classic trap of falling in love with the product and forgetting who will buy it).
  • Scaling challenges - helping founders navigate the difficult shift from startup energy to consistent execution, including the “boring but necessary” operational decisions.
  • Funding and growth planning - exploring whether external funding is needed, what type fits, and how to position the business credibly for that next step.

Marcin typically engages as an advisor and sounding board for CEOs and boards - someone who brings perspective, challenge and encouragement, and can also introduce founders to relevant specialists (legal, accounting, sales/marketing, funding) when deeper expertise is needed.