Stefan Fak

Stefan Fak was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1972.^[5][6] He studied economics, which led to his initial career in the telecommunications industry.^[5] After completing his education, Fak joined an Austrian mobile phone operator, where he worked in the information technology department for a year.^[5] His interest in innovation and organizational improvement later led him to a position in organizational development at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, where he worked directly under the rector. Later, he joined the Austrian Tourism Association.^[5]

In 2009, Fak left his position as the head of the Austrian Tourism Association in Germany to pursue social projects in Asia.^[7][8] He developed an interest in rice during his visit to the Mekong Delta region.^[7][9] Subsequently, Fak established a rice farmers' cooperative in Indonesia and imported an organic rice blend, despite facing initial regulatory challenges.^[7]

Later, Fak expanded his business, found different rice varieties from India and China. He collaborated with a rice expert from the University of Hawaiʻi to refine a green rice product using organic bamboo leaf tea.^[7] In 2010, Fak founded Lotao, a company based in Germany that sells these specialized rice varieties.^[7][10][8] He has been described as a risolier, which means a rice expert.^[8][11][12]

In 2017, Fak worked with DEG to launch a development aid project focused on jackfruit, which led to the production of plant-based ready meals.^[13]

In October 2025, Fak stepped down as managing director of Lotao after 16 years in the role. After leaving the company, he began working as a business consultant ^[14][15]