Today we’d like to introduce you to Martin Horak.
Hi Martin, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve lived and worked in the Florida Panhandle for decades, mostly around property management, construction, and development. Over time, I kept seeing the same problem everywhere: contractors, suppliers, property managers—even homeowners—losing hours to supply runs, waiting on parts, or juggling deliveries that weren’t built for how job sites actually operate. ([Destin Chamber][1])
The idea for GRUNT really clicked for me during extreme “all-hands” moments—when you realize how quickly a community needs help getting basic materials and supplies moving again. In those chaotic hours, it hit me that the same solution that saves time on a normal Tuesday could also be a lifeline during emergencies: a reliable network that can pick up what’s needed and deliver it fast, without having businesses send employees and crews off site to pick up tools, materials supplies etc. That’s when GRUNT started forming—something practical for everyday business and construction pain points but also built to show up when it matters.
From there, we built GRUNT around a simple promise: stay on site, keep working— we got your back, and we’ll run the errands. We soft-launched along Florida’s Emerald Coast (Panama City to Destin), focused on fast, on-demand pickups and same-day delivery, powered by a network of local drivers—people with cars and pickup trucks who know the area and show up. Today, our mission is still the same: help the working class reclaim time, help local suppliers compete without extra overhead, and keep the whole thing human and local—because when you call us, you talk to a real person.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all—and that’s pretty common for any startup built from a napkin idea. One of our biggest early challenges was working with an initial developer who ultimately couldn’t deliver a functional platform. That setback delayed our launch and development timeline by over a year as we had to bring in a new development team.
Beyond that, building software from scratch—starting with nothing but an idea—is extremely time-consuming, costly and demanding on everyone involved. The biggest struggle wasn’t motivation or vision, but the pace it took to turn that vision into a real, working product and finally get to launch.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At my core, I build practical solutions to everyday problems—especially for people who work with their hands and don’t have time to waste. GRUNT was born from seeing how much time contractors, tradespeople, and small business owners lose running errands instead of doing the work that actually makes them money.
What I specialize in is building hyper-local, community-driven businesses from the ground up. GRUNT isn’t just a tech platform—it’s a local delivery network powered by real people with cars and pickup trucks, helping other locals get things done faster. We focus on construction materials, hardware, and essential errands for local business and even homeowners that bigger platforms overlook or don’t understand.
What I’m most proud of is building GRUNT from a simple idea into a real, working product that serves local businesses and creates flexible income opportunities for drivers—without relying on massive ad spend or national playbooks. We’ve stayed true to our roots: built by locals, for locals.
What sets me—and GRUNT—apart is that I’m deeply hands-on. I’ve been in the field, made deliveries myself, talked directly with drivers and customers, and built relationships one store and one job at a time. We don’t chase growth for growth’s sake. We focus on trust, reliability, and solving real problems in the communities we serve.
At the end of the day, I’m proud that GRUNT is proving you can build meaningful technology while still valuing hard work, relationships, and showing up when you say you will.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a small town in the Czech Republic during the final years of communism. As kids, we spent most of our time outdoors—running around, exploring, and learning to be resourceful. That environment shaped a strong sense of independence and appreciation for hard work early on.
From a young age, I was curious about the world beyond where I grew up. I was always interested in travel and exploring different cultures, which eventually led me to study abroad in the United States—an experience that ultimately became home for me.
Personality-wise, I’ve always been a pragmatic, straightforward person. I value keeping my word, showing up for people, and helping others when I can. Those principles have stayed with me throughout my personal and professional life.
Outside of work, I’m very active and enjoy anything that gets me outdoors—surfing, diving, fishing, boating, and traveling whenever possible. I value time with friends and family and try to balance work with experiences that keep me grounded and connected.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://trygrun.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/try_grunt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trygrunt
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-horak-grunt/
