Laszlo Szombatfalvy, founder and history

Laszlo Szombatfalvy’s life

Laszlo Szombatfalvy was born in Budapest in 1927 and began studying law after the end of the second world war. However, he soon changed course and switched to art studies, which at the time was the least politically sensitive  branch of education. After becoming a professional illusionist, he fled to Sweden in 1956, the same year as the Hungarian uprising against the Soviet regime.

In Sweden, Szombatfalvy attended business school and began working. He also started to invest in the stock market and became so successful that he decided to become a full-time broker, eventually becoming regarded as one of the world’s most successful private investors. 

Portraits and press images

High-resolution images free to use can be found in the pressroom.

Press room

Global hunt for best decision making

In 2016, the competition “A New Shape Prize” was launched by the Foundation. It was the world’s largest competition in the social sciences, seeking original proposals for new decision-making structures that could galvanise effective international action to tackle global catastrophic risks.

A New Shape Prize

A New Shape Prize

Over 2,700 entries from 122 countries were submitted to the competition New Shape Prize. Find the shortlist and the three awarded here.

The New Shape Prize Library

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• A New Shape Prize

  

  A New Shape Prize

  Over 2,700 entries from 122 countries were submitted to the competition New Shape Prize. Find the shortlist and the three awarded here.

  The New Shape Prize Library

The Greatest Challenges of Our Time, by Laszlo Szombatfalvy

Szombatfalvy also had a keen interest in societal issues and was the author of several books. In a book titled The Greatest Challenges of Our Time (2009, Ekerlids), Szombatfalvy, assesses the greatest threats to humanity and outlines various opportunities for overcoming them. Available to download in Chinese, English, French, German, Spanish and Swedish.