Jesper Buch is an author, investor, and serial entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Just Eat, Mentaline.com, and Miinto Group. His journey began in a basement in Denmark, where he launched Just Eat in 2000. By 2004, the company was breaking even, and a year later, he expanded to the UK with just-eat.co.uk. As CEO of the UK branch, he also established operations in the Netherlands, Iceland, Sweden, and Ireland. Jesper stepped down as CEO in 2008, selling shares to Index Ventures, and relocated to Marbella, Spain, where he founded SEED to invest in startups.
In 2008, he launched Mentaline.com, an online platform for psychologists and coaches. The following year, he co-founded Miinto Group, a rapidly growing online fashion retailer operating in seven countries. After selling his shares in Just Eat in 2011, Jesper celebrated by walking the Camino de Santiago, marking the end of that chapter in his life. By 2012, he published a book detailing his decade-long experience building Just Eat.
Jesper has received numerous awards in e-commerce and is regarded as a leading internet entrepreneur in Europe. Just Eat, which began as a food delivery service in Denmark, has since evolved into a major online platform, facilitating orders and deliveries across multiple countries.
Known for his dynamic presence on the Danish TV show Løvens Hule, Jesper is often seen as a tough investor but also possesses a compassionate side. He prioritises structure in both his personal and professional life, applying lessons learned from his military training to his investment strategies.
Jesper's career is characterised by a clear vision and a willingness to seize opportunities. The idea for Just Eat emerged from a personal need when he moved to Oslo and struggled to find food. His early experiences in the hospitality industry taught him the importance of trust and relationships in business.
From 2013 to 2017, Jesper was the most searched leader in Denmark. He has participated in Løvens Hule for four seasons and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013. Despite his success, he remains grounded, recognising the importance of giving back and supporting new entrepreneurs. Jesper continues to invest in various companies, bringing capital and his passion and network to help them thrive.