In the fast-paced world of proprietary trading, leaders of prop firms shape the industry and guide traders to success. Each CEO brings a unique perspective and expertise, from funding program innovators to seasoned traders.
This blog explores the backgrounds, achievements, and philosophies of CEOs who lead top prop trading firms. Join us as we uncover the stories of influential figures. Gain insights into their journeys of empowering traders and driving innovation in prop trading.
Get ready to meet all the prop firm CEOs in one place and discover the faces behind the firms that are shaping the future of trading.
E8 Funding
Dylan Elchami, founder of E8 Funding, transitioned from real estate and luxury cars to the finance industry. Elchami, born in 1992 and a United States resident with American nationality, established E8 Funding in 2021.
His vision aimed to create an inclusive platform, offering traders excellent opportunities. It aimed to simplify trading by providing strategic partnerships and state-of-the-art software solutions. Despite not coming from a traditional finance background, Elchami has successfully led E8 Funding. E8 Funding offers funding programs with fund limits ranging from $300,000 to $1,000,000.
The company’s headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas, with an additional base in Prague, Czech Republic. E8 Funding stands out with its easy-to-use interface. Traders can access payouts and customize their dashboard.
The Funded Trader
Angelo Ciaramello, a 27-year-old entrepreneur from New Jersey, founded The Funded Trader in 2020. Ciaramello has a background in IT operations. He innovatively gamified prop trading, offering an alternative path to financial freedom for diverse individuals.
Ciaramello aimed to level the trading field, granting everyone a chance to reach their goals, despite finances. The Funded Trader, led by him, saw success, paying $40 million to users and targeting $100 million by 2023’s end.
The platform offers a medieval-themed experience for traders to compete and earn achievements. Upon completing challenges, they trade the company’s capital. Angelo Ciaramello’s leadership has made The Funded Trader a significant player in prop trading, with a global community of empowered traders.
FTMO
Otakar Šuffner, FTMO’s CEO and Co-Founder, was born in Prague in 1993. He grew up in the capital city of the Czech Republic. He graduated with a degree in Banking and Insurance from the University of Economics in Prague. He also studied at Seoul National University in South Korea.
Šuffner initially thought a university education wasn’t needed for success in trading or business. Later, he realized its value. While still in college, he started trading, focusing on executing swaps—a financial instrument where parties exchange cash flows or financial instruments. In 2015, while studying finance at Prague University of Economics, he co-founded FTMO with his classmate and friend Marek Vašíček.
The company started with five individuals, including Šuffner and his colleagues. They traded futures, forex, and CFDs from an office near their university. Over time, FTMO has significantly grown. Šuffner has led the company to become a prominent player in the proprietary trading industry. The platform aims to build a global network of successful retail investors and broaden its investment portfolio. Šuffner’s trading approach is unique; he focuses on trading statistics rather than indicators, believing that numbers don’t lie.
City Traders Imperium
Daniel Martin and Martin Najat, co-founders of City Traders Imperium, boast a robust trading and finance background. Daniel Martin, with 20+ years of trading experience, helps many traders achieve consistent profitability. He focuses on enhancing their trading psychology and methodology.
Martin Najat, the co-founder, became a full-time trader after achieving significant success with Smart Money Concepts. Under Daniel Martin’s guidance, he improved his trading psychology, becoming a successful full-time trader in the industry.
Their combined expertise and experiences have contributed to the establishment of City Traders Imperium.
FundedNext
Abdullah Jayed, FundedNext founder, began his tech-inspired entrepreneurial journey in childhood. Based in Bangladesh, Jayed founded NEXT Ventures. NEXT Ventures is the parent company of FundedNext, operating as a digital venture builder and fintech business group.
His passion for identifying critical gaps in markets led him to the foreign exchange market. There, he recognized the need for funding capital to support skilled traders who were unable to profit due to financial constraints. In 2016, Jayed laid the foundation for FundedNext. The firm aims to empower young individuals globally by providing trading opportunities and simplifying their trading experiences.
Under his leadership, FundedNext has grown significantly. The team now consists of around 120 members, with a strong focus on user experience and platform interface. Jayed’s commitment to creating a safe trading environment is evident. The platform absorbs losses, fostering trust and reliability among traders. His strategic vision and dedication to empowering traders have positioned FundedNext as a trusted entity in the prop trading community. The firm offers attractive profit splits of up to 90% based on trader performance.
The 5%ers
Gil Ben Hur, the founder and CEO of The 5%ers, has a rich history in the forex trading industry. He has been a full-time individual forex trader since 2007. Ben Hur specializes in order flow and price-action methodologies. He is also recognized as a reputable trading coach and former private investor portfolio manager.
In 2016, he launched The 5%ers. The platform provides individual forex traders worldwide with the opportunity to trade significant amounts of capital and offers a fast-paced trading career growth option.
The company is based in London, UK. It distinguishes itself by providing instant funding account models, offering low-risk or aggressive-risk features. Traders can use MetaTrader 5 with a third-party broker. Gil Ben Hur’s innovative approach to prop trading has positioned The 5%ers as a leading player in the industry. The company offers traders a platform for growth and success.
Funded Trading Plus
Simon Massey, CEO of Funded Trading Plus, transitioned from a decade-long career in emergency services. His diverse background includes entering the world of trading. Initially driven by the idea of being a first responder in emergency services for long-term satisfaction, Massey later realized that his true calling lay in the financial business. He was inspired by a friend who was an ex-city trader for a major Wall Street bank. This realization led him to start trading full-time. Eventually, he established Funded Trading Plus in November 2021.
Massey’s journey into trading was influenced by his friend’s success as a retail trader with substantial capital. This drove him to create a platform offering higher capital access, typically beyond average retail traders’ reach. Funded Trading Plus offers traders the opportunity to work with accounts ranging from $5,000 to $200,000, scaled up to $2,500,000.
Massey’s vision focuses on empowering traders. It aims to eliminate capital constraints and provide resources for excelling in the competitive trading landscape. His commitment to innovation and trader empowerment has positioned Funded Trading Plus as a leading prop firm in the industry. The firm offers flexible funding options and advanced platforms to support traders in reaching their full potential.
Read our blog for complete list of prop firm CEOs and get the comprehensive reviews on each firm here.
