In the early 2000s, when most kids were still enamoured with cartoons, a young Felix Römer was busy mastering the intricacies of a virtual marketplace. Tucked away in his childhood home, he logged into RuneScape—an online game with its own internal economy—and began bartering digital weapons, rare resources and discontinued items.
“I didn’t really have a specific role model,” Römer says, recalling those formative years, “but my interest in business and finance started when I was a kid playing online games, particularly RuneScape.”
Little did he know then that those hours spent flipping and trading in a pixelated world would become the bedrock of his future career. Now 30, Römer has emerged as a respected entrepreneur, investor and data strategist, with a particular knack for identifying undervalued opportunities—whether in sports analytics, distressed assets or growing industries like AI.
Alongside his business ventures, Römer has placed growing emphasis on philanthropy and mentorship, hoping to steer public perception toward the meaningful impact he aims to create.
A Digital Prelude to Real-World Success
RuneScape was more than just a game for Römer. It was a trial-by-fire education in market dynamics, supply and demand, and data-driven decision-making. He built rudimentary scripts to track price fluctuations, set up notification systems and analysed spreadsheets before he even finished high school.
“To optimize my trading, I built tools to track price fluctuations, set up notification systems for market changes and analysed data to execute profitable trades on RuneScape’s Grand Exchange,” he says. “This experience taught me a lot about pricing analytics, market trends and the importance of data-driven decision-making.”
By the time he was old enough to invest in the real world, Römer’s expertise in evaluating and capitalising on market inefficiencies was well established—even if it had been honed in a virtual realm.
“I was always interested in investing, and after my early experiences trading in RuneScape, I started making my first real-world investments,” he explains. “They performed well, and I also helped friends with notification scripts, data points and market analysis.”
From there, it didn’t take long before he caught the attention of more seasoned financiers, who recognised his talent for spotting overlooked assets. Over the years, Römer expanded his portfolio to include distressed ventures, mutual funds and restructuring opportunities, transforming failing enterprises into thriving successes.
“Rather than taking a passive investor role, I embed myself in companies to optimize operations and maximise value creation,” he says of his hands-on approach.
Venturing Into Sports and AI
Though finance provided the scaffolding for Römer’s career, he soon found himself pulled toward the world of sports—specifically soccer. As someone who grew up disinterested in the game, he discovered a new passion when he began to look at it through a data-oriented lens.
“I was never a big fan growing up,” he admits, “but as I learned more about the game from a data perspective, I became increasingly interested in it. Unlike many, I can approach soccer analytically, without letting emotions affect my judgment, which I believe gives me a significant edge.”
It was this analytical perspective that led him to become involved with Short Circuit Science, a company that uses AI and computer vision to enhance sports performance, recovery and longevity.
Römer played a critical role in structuring the data points used by the company’s AI models, ensuring coaches and athletes get meaningful, actionable insights. His ability to interpret complex datasets—polished through hours of gaming analytics—became essential in helping develop tools that optimize training regimens, predict player fatigue and even forecast potential injuries.
Personal and Professional Values
For all his technical expertise, Felix Römer is just as grounded in the values that shape his everyday decisions.
“I’ve always tried to live and work in a way that stays true to what matters most to me—things like integrity, compassion, independence, balance, and a sense of security,” he says. “It’s important to me to live ethically, to have a positive impact, and to care for others. I try to do all of this while also protecting my peace and staying grounded.”
These values can sometimes be at odds with cutthroat attitudes in his industry, but Römer credits them as the key to his longevity and resilience. Part of his blueprint for success involves staying grounded, prioritising well-being and surrounding himself with trustworthy individuals.
“I manage stress and maintain a healthy work-life balance by delegating tasks effectively and ensuring I don’t take on more than I can handle,” he says. “I also prioritise exercise, getting enough quality sleep and maintaining a clean, healthy diet.”
Mentorship: “Stand By Those Who Are Struggling”
One facet of Römer’s life that has become increasingly pivotal is his commitment to mentorship. He believes that everyone deserves second chances and support, especially when enduring tough times.
“One of the most life-changing moments for me was in 2019 when I was at my lowest point in business,” he recalls. “I had a major upcoming tax bill that could have wiped out almost all my savings. During that time, I realised that many of the so-called ‘friends’ I had disappeared when I needed support the most.”
It was during this low period that Römer recognised how critical genuine support can be.
“There was one person who stood by me—my business friend, Nick,” he says. “He continued to offer advice, motivation and guidance when I had no one else to turn to.”
Römer credits Nick’s unwavering support with helping him rebuild, guiding him toward new deals, fresh perspectives and renewed confidence. That experience became a turning point: Rather than resent those who vanished, Römer chose to pay it forward.
“I’ve made it a personal mission to invest in struggling founders, providing them with the support I once needed,” he says. “I realised that most people and investors tend to show up when someone is already successful, but very few are willing to stand by those who are struggling.”
Defining Success on Personal Terms
In a culture that often equates success with money alone, Römer offers an elevated perspective.
“Success can be defined in many ways,” he says. “On a personal level, I believe it’s about being a good human—having a strong set of principles, practicing self-control and staying true to one’s values.”
He’s quick to acknowledge that financial security provides its own form of validation.
“While money isn’t always the most comfortable topic, it does serve as a strong indicator of discipline, consistency and self-control,” he notes. “Making money is difficult, but keeping it is even harder, which is why I see it as a reflection of one’s ability to sustain long-term success.”
Yet, he emphasises that none of it should come at the expense of humility.
“Staying humble and grounded is essential because no one is above anyone else,” he says. “I’ve seen friends struggle with this, at times losing sight of their core values.”
Looking Forward
As Römer looks to the future, he stays grounded in what first drew him to the business world: the power of data to spark real change. But more than anything, he just wants his name to reflect the kind of person he truly is—someone who shows up with integrity, cares about others, and wants to leave the world a little better than he found it.
“I’m most proud of how much I’ve learned to be disciplined, work hard and stay consistent,” he says. “I’ve faced many failures along the way, but I never let them shake my confidence.”
Now, poised at the intersection of AI, sports analytics and social impact, Römer is determined to channel his success into causes that extend beyond his balance sheet. He believes that a life well-lived is measured not just by financial returns but also by the communities and individuals touched along the way.
“When you combine data, opportunity and genuine support,” he says, “you create the potential for exponential change. That’s what motivates me now—not just the numbers, but the difference I can make.”
