Blagomir Yanakiev

Contact- www.linkedin.com/in/byanakiev (LinkedIn) Top Skills Product Management Project Coordination Data-driven Decision Making Languages Bulgarian (Native or Bilingual) Blagomir Yanakiev Co-Founder, Head of Product | 9am Bulgaria Summary I am a product leader and entrepreneur with a focus on scaling user acquisition, optimizing KPIs, and building innovative solutions in the SaaS and tech industries. As Co-founder and Head of Product at 9am, I’ve led initiatives that drove over 100x growth in daily signups, establishing the platform as one of Europe’s largest freelance ecosystems. English (Professional Working) Certifications PADI Rescue Diver Honors-Awards Student scientific conference "European Perspectives of Bulgaria - financial stability and sustainable growth" Publications Management models for decisionmaking Developing a project with incomplete requirements… and few other ways to make your developers hate you. My expertise spans product strategy, user experience design, crossfunctional team leadership, and data-driven decision-making. I’ve also managed and delivered high-impact software projects for global brands like Lufthansa, Volvo, and REWE, ensuring technical execution aligns with business goals and delivers measurable results. I combine creativity, strategy, and hands-on execution to create meaningful outcomes. Whether scaling startups, managing complex projects, or crafting impactful designs, my work is guided by a commitment to excellence and results. Explore my experience section for more details or reach out—I’m always open to collaborating on impactful projects. How to master Project Management. Experience 9am Co-Founder, Head of Product February 2021 - Present (4 years) As Co-founder and Head of Product at 9am, I drive user acquisition, product development, and strategy for one of Europe’s largest freelance platforms. Over the past three months, I’ve achieved over a 100x growth in daily signups and a 45x increase in daily paid users, setting new performance benchmarks. Page 1 of 5 I work closely with our CEO and CTO to align business goals with product strategy, leveraging data-driven insights to optimize KPIs like conversion rates, churn reduction, and user reactivation. I also lead UX design efforts in Figma, crafting user flows and journeys that drive engagement and improve performance. Collaborating with our development and marketing teams, I ensure efficient feature implementation and impactful campaigns. I’m hands-on with platform curation, user support, and manual testing, maintaining a high-quality user experience. To support decision-making, I build custom dashboards and extract insights directly from production data using SQL. My approach combines strategic vision with a focus on measurable outcomes, driving sustainable growth and user satisfaction. CodeControl 7 years 11 months Product Manager for Internal Product July 2020 - May 2023 (2 years 11 months) Project Manager for External Projects July 2015 - May 2023 (7 years 11 months) As Project Manager for External Projects, I led cross-functional teams to deliver software solutions for a diverse range of clients, from industry leaders like Lufthansa, Volvo, and REWE to smaller companies and newly started startups. My role blended project management, team leadership, and aspects of product management and UX/UI design to ensure the successful execution of projects at various scales. For Lufthansa, I managed the development of a customer service app that reduced customer service costs by 30% and became Lufthansa’s highestrated app on the App Store. The project evolved from an MVP to an SDK integrated into Lufthansa's main app, requiring collaboration with stakeholders and technical partners. For Volvo, I led the creation of the world’s first on-demand insurance app solution by a car manufacturer, Volvo Car Protection. This innovative app, developed in partnership with insurers like Allianz and Ergo, expanded from Page 2 of 5 short-term on-demand coverage to include long-term insurance products, supported by iOS, Android, and middleware solutions. For REWE, I managed the development of a digital trading card app for a UEFA European Championship promotion. The app included features like a personalized card builder and advanced image recognition, providing users with a unique and engaging experience. In addition to large-scale projects, I worked on smaller-scale solutions for startups and emerging businesses, where agility and close client collaboration were essential. Across all projects, I aligned development efforts with client goals, ensured smooth delivery, and maintained a focus on quality and innovation. StartUP Foundation Bulgaria Chairman of the Board February 2014 - December 2017 (3 years 11 months) As Chairman of the Board at StartUP Foundation, I focus on empowering young entrepreneurs in Bulgaria by fostering an environment where ideas can transform into successful businesses. My responsibilities include managing finances, overseeing payments and project budgets, and contributing to the planning and execution of key initiatives. Since 2007, StartUP Foundation has played a pivotal role in developing Bulgaria's startup ecosystem. Through conferences, forums, and workshops, we’ve connected entrepreneurs with partners, clients, business angels, and investment funds. To date, we’ve organized over 100 events, reaching more than 20,000 young people and driving long-lasting impact on Bulgarian society. I collaborate with startup organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders to ensure our efforts leave a meaningful and sustainable mark on the community. Together, we are building a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in Bulgaria. Chase A Cloud Project Manager & Producer December 2012 - January 2016 (3 years 2 months) As Project Manager and Producer at Chase a Cloud, I managed the creation of animation and VFX projects that transform complex ideas into clear, engaging, and visually captivating startup videos. My role involved finding and Page 3 of 5 coordinating talented artists, defining the overall visual direction, and ensuring seamless communication between clients and the creative team to bring their vision to life. By balancing creative strategy with effective project management, I delivered impactful visual content that helped startups convey their ideas, products, and services in a compelling and entertaining way. I thrived on turning client concepts into reality through collaboration, attention to detail, and a focus on delivering exceptional results. oBlag - Studio for great logos Founder and Graphic Designer June 2012 - January 2016 (3 years 8 months) As the Founder and Graphic Designer at oBlag, I built a graphic design studio specializing in logos, brand identity, and a wide range of visual design products, including print materials, web assets, and social media visuals. My role involved translating client visions into actionable projects, coordinating with the team to ensure successful execution, and often contributing directly by designing final deliverables. At oBlag, we crafted logos that not only represent businesses but also tell their stories. Our designs were more than visuals—they were symbols that inspired pride and conveyed the right message and emotions. Whether it was a logo for a T-shirt, a business card, or a website, I ensured our designs resonated with clients and their audiences. Freelancer Freelance Graphic Designer January 2008 - June 2012 (4 years 6 months) Sofia, Bulgaria As a freelance graphic designer, I managed projects end-to-end, handling every aspect from client acquisition and communication to final delivery. I worked directly with clients to understand their needs, plan projects, and create high-quality design materials. This included coordinating with print houses and web developers to ensure a seamless production process and delivering finished products ready for use. Freelancing allowed me to develop a broad skill set, combining creative design, project management, and client relations. From crafting logos and Page 4 of 5 brand identities to producing print and digital assets, I consistently delivered work that met client goals and exceeded expectations. 1IDEA Ltd. Graphic Designer June 2010 - February 2011 (9 months) As a graphic designer, I created promotional materials such as posters, brochures, and flyers, while ensuring they were print-ready or optimized for web development. I also developed presentations and 3D visualizations to bring design concepts to life, supporting both marketing and creative initiatives. Virtualis Graphic Designer June 2008 - February 2009 (9 months) I was responsible for creating design concepts and preparing print-ready files for materials such as business cards, flyers, menus, and brochures. Additionally, I participated in the in-house production process, ensuring highquality outputs for all projects. Education Cornell University Graduate, Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies · (2011 - 2011) Codecademy Basic HTML & CSS · (2018 - 2018) University of National and World Economy Bachelor, Accounting · (2007 - 2011) Business High School of Varna "G. S. Rakovski" Economics and management · (2002 - 2007) Page 5 of 5