#83 Jesús Alonso Gallo: Sold 3 Companies, Died… and Came Back to Invest in 80 Startups
- Juanma Sáez de Retana Romana
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Jesús Alonso Gallo is one of those unforgettable figures in Spain’s startup scene. A natural-born salesman, serial entrepreneur, and now investor, he’s lived four lives in one — quite literally. After dying and coming back to life, he turned his story into a masterclass in resilience, entrepreneurship, and purpose.
From Salesman to Serial Founder
Jesús describes himself as “a door-knocker.” That’s how he started—selling insurance—and that’s how he ended up selling companies. He’s founded four businesses and sold three, including restaurantes.com, which was later acquired by the Michelin Group.He also co-founded Dynamic, Spain’s first video game company, and FX Interactive, one of the most iconic gaming brands of the 90s.
But success came at a cost.
“I stopped noticing beautiful women on the street and started seeing only restaurant signs.”
That’s when he realized: going all-in on entrepreneurship can literally kill you.
Dying for Entrepreneurship (and Coming Back)
In 2008, Jesús suffered a cardiac arrest and was declared clinically dead. He came back to life — and his experience was later featured in La supraconciencia existe, a bestselling book by Dr. Manuel Sanz Segarra, where he appears as chapter 16.From that moment on, everything changed.
Jesús reinvented himself as an “underwear entrepreneur,” running his ventures from home with a laptop and a clear purpose. He’s been writing a daily newsletter for over 1,100 consecutive days, turning consistency into art.
His formula is simple: FIVE — Happiness, Investment, Life, and Entrepreneurship.It’s more than a newsletter; it’s a daily reflection on how to live and build with intention.
You can subscribe for free at jesusalonsogallo.com.
80 Startups Later: Betting on People, Not Ideas
Over the past 12 years, Jesús has invested in more than 80 startups. His rule of thumb?
“I only invest in good people who are also good professionals.”
He avoids founders who seem too perfect. He calls them “pitbull entrepreneurs” — the ones who bite and never let go. For him, failure is training: those who’ve fallen and stood back up are far more likely to succeed.
He’s fully aware that 90% of startups will fail — but that’s the math of venture capital. The few that win make it all worth it.
Selling (and Knowing When to Let Go)
Throughout the episode, Jesús breaks down how to build a company that’s worth buying.The key? Build systems, not dependencies.
If your clients call you instead of your sales director, you don’t have a company — you have a personal trap.Some acquisitions are about assets and systems; others are about buying you. The difference defines your freedom.
His Next Venture: 100 Key Lessons for €100
Even after multiple lives, Jesús isn’t slowing down. His next project is a self-published book called “100 Key Lessons for €100” — a collector’s edition filled with insights on happiness, investment, life, and entrepreneurship.
Each lesson is worth a euro. Each page tells a story. Each story comes from a life lived to the fullest.
Only 420 copies will be printed, designed as a high-quality, ring-bound notebook that you can write on and keep forever.
You can sign up for early access at jesusalonsogallo.com.
Takeaways for Founders
Entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint. Going too fast breaks you.
If your company can’t run without you, it’s not ready to sell.
Invest in grit, not in slides. The founder’s fire matters more than their deck.
Build a tribe, not just a funnel. His newsletter is both business and community.
Keep your humor. Every one of his stories blends truth, pain, and laughter.
Listen to the Full Conversation
Catch the full episode on:
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