We recently had the chance to connect with Akos Gabossy and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Akos, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I definitely walk a path—but sometimes I wish I could just wander without consequences. Over 10 years ago, I set out to build the biggest escape room chain, and I’ve shaped my entire life around that mission. The vision was always clear, even if the circumstances forced constant adaptation. We didn’t have much luck, but now we’re close. Success would mean everything—failure isn’t something I’ve ever allowed myself to imagine.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Akos, and I grew up in Hungary, Europe. After completing university, I became an entrepreneur and a passionate expert in the location-based entertainment industry. In 2014, I introduced the concept of escape rooms to the U.S., opening our first PANIQ Room location in Hollywood. More than a decade and nearly 30 global locations later, we returned to Los Angeles in 2025 to launch a true flagship venue in West Hollywood. We’re currently in the midst of a major M&A transaction with U.S. investors that would position PANIQ as the largest escape room chain in the world.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I once believed I’d become the world’s best basketball player. I had some talent, but by the age of 19, I had to accept that it was a pretty risky career path for a 6’2″ guy from Eastern Europe trying to make it to the NBA. Looking back, it’s almost funny—I can’t picture myself as a professional athlete anymore. I’m still a huge sports fan, but I’ve realized I’m more drawn to intellectual challenges.
Is there something you miss that no one else knows about?
Just because I might come across as someone who always performs and succeeds, doesn’t mean it happens automatically or without struggle. It’s incredibly difficult to navigate life without someone who offers real, thoughtful/valuable guidance. Unfortunately, I’ve never had a person who genuinely supported me intellectually or shared my mission. I’ve had to figure everything out on my own, it is a lonely mission, where failure is not accepted.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
There’s a common misconception that most successful people got where they are purely through intelligence and perseverance. But in reality, many either got lucky or made ethically questionable choices along the way. Of course, when they look back, they like to frame their journey as strategic and virtuous—but often, the real turning point was sheer luck or a move that wasn’t entirely fair. Building something with full integrity and long-term thinking from day zero is as rare as a white raven.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
Nobody really told me what to do in life — and to be honest, I’m probably not doing what I was truly born to do. One of life’s biggest blessings is discovering your purpose early. I’ve always been a generally talented person, so I think I could have succeeded in many different paths. One area where I believe I might have been truly exceptional is a legal career in the U.S. — my sense of justice, debate skills, and analytical thinking are quite rare, at least that’s what life has shown me so far.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://paniqescaperoom.com/los-angeles/en
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agab0ssy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabossy/
- Twitter: https://x.com/agab0ssy
