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Hi, I’m George. I’m an experienced operator at the intersection of tech, media, and finance.

I left Bulgaria when I was 18 to explore and challenge myself. Here we are 14 years later…

I studied in the UK and worked in Big 4 consulting in London. Then, I got my dream job and moved to the Caribbean (of all places) to join Real Vision—a media startup with big ambitions. One thing led to another, and in 2019, I moved to New York to lead our expansion.

Until recently, I led product strategy at Real Vision, launching new products, generating millions in revenue, and strengthening the firm’s moat.

I’m now consulting and exploring my next big thing.

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[**CV**](<https://drive.google.com/file/d/11sGEUWnkp9A1u6g7lUnKp9sMaHeJQ0zH/view?usp=sharing>) **| [LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgistanoev/>) | [Email](<mailto:[email protected]>)**

Experience

I am an experienced business operator. I’ve led multi-disciplinary teams across GTM and Product. I am a strong generalist and integrator who excels in cross-functional work. (click arrows for more details)

• **Real Vision (2017-2024):** I joined as an analyst and spent the next 7 years leading initiatives that generated tens of millions $ in revenue and funding. We grew revenue 13x, paid members 4x, and ARPU 2.5x.
• **KPMG (2014-2017):** I supported partners’ decision-making through data analytics and project management of multi-million £ projects and internal operations.

(You can find my detailed resume here.)

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OPERATING PRINCIPLES

Throughout my career, I developed several operating principles that guide me in any project, big or small:

• Manage Yourself First
• Explain Why
• Ask the Stupid Question
• *Fck the Playbooks

Hosting a ‘Business Cycle’ workshop in the Real Vision studio in NYC in 2023. As usual, gesticulating a lot…

PROJECTS

As a teenager, I got obsessed with poker and became financially independent by playing online. I wrote about my experience and everything I learned here.

While at university, my love for probabilities and behavioural economics led me to financial markets and investing, which quickly displaced poker. In my desire to gain experience, I did 2 things:

• I passed CFA Level 1 while finishing my Bachelor’s and Level 2 at KPMG. I paid for both myself.

• I started a pseudo-hedge fund (Shard Fund) with close friends and managed a multi-strategy portfolio of personal capital and some money from friends and family.

  We recruited 10 students who helped us with data gathering, research, and writing a weekly publication called Sierra—which was shared widely across university investment societies in the UK and worldwide.