Blagomir Yanakiev - Co-Founder, Head of Product

Q: Where is Blagomir based?

Blagomir is based in Sofia, Bulgaria .

Q: What languages does Blagomir speak?

Blagomir speaks the following languages: Bulgarian (Native), English (Advanced) .

Q: How many years of experience does Blagomir have?

Blagomir has at least 18 years of experience. During this time, Blagomir has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 8 different companies . The average length of individual experience is 2 years . Note that Blagomir may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

Q: What is Blagomir's latest experience?

Blagomir's most recent position is Co-Founder, Head of Product at 9am .

Q: What companies has Blagomir worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Blagomir has worked for 9am and CodeControl .

Q: Which industries is Blagomir most experienced in?

Blagomir is most experienced in industries like Professional Services , Media, Entertainment and Publishing , and Advertising . Blagomir also has some experience in Aerospace and Defense , Automotive , and Retail .

Q: Which business areas is Blagomir most experienced in?

Blagomir is most experienced in business areas like Project Management , Marketing , and Product Development . Blagomir also has some experience in Information Technology (IT) , Business Intelligence , and Production/Manufacturing .

Q: Which industries has Blagomir worked in recently?

Blagomir has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense , Automotive , and Retail .

Q: Which business areas has Blagomir worked in recently?

Blagomir has recently worked in business areas like Product Development , Information Technology (IT) , and Project Management .

Recommended expert

Sofia, Bulgaria

Experience

Feb 2021 - Present

5 years

Co-Founder, Head of Product

9am

Drive user acquisition, product development, and strategy for one of Europe’s largest freelance platforms
Achieved over a 100x growth in daily signups and a 45x increase in daily paid users
Align business goals with product strategy leveraging data-driven insights to optimize KPIs like conversion rates, churn reduction, and user reactivation
Lead UX design efforts in Figma by crafting user flows and journeys
Collaborate with development and marketing teams to ensure efficient feature implementation and impactful campaigns
Perform platform curation, user support, and manual testing to maintain high-quality user experience
Build custom dashboards and extract insights from production data using SQL

Jul 2020 - May 2023

2 years 11 months

Product Manager for Internal Product

CodeControl

Jul 2015 - May 2023

7 years 11 months

Project Manager for External Projects

CodeControl

Led cross-functional teams to deliver software solutions for clients ranging from industry leaders to startups
Managed development of Lufthansa’s customer service app, reducing costs by 30% and becoming its highest-rated App Store app; evolved from MVP to SDK integrated into main app
Led creation of the world’s first on-demand insurance app by a car manufacturer, Volvo Car Protection, in partnership with insurers like Allianz and Ergo; expanded from short-term coverage to long-term products with iOS, Android, and middleware support
Managed development of a digital trading card app for REWE’s UEFA European Championship promotion featuring a personalized card builder and advanced image recognition
Worked on smaller-scale solutions for startups and emerging businesses, ensuring agility and close client collaboration
Aligned development efforts with client goals, ensured smooth delivery, and maintained focus on quality and innovation

Feb 2014 - Dec 2017

3 years 11 months

Chairman of the Board

StartUP Foundation Bulgaria

Empower young entrepreneurs in Bulgaria by fostering an environment where ideas can transform into successful businesses
Manage finances, oversee payments and project budgets, and contribute to planning and execution of key initiatives
Organize conferences, forums, and workshops connecting entrepreneurs with partners, clients, business angels, and investment funds; over 100 events reaching more than 20,000 young people since 2007
Collaborate with startup organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders to build a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation in Bulgaria

Dec 2012 - Jan 2016

3 years 2 months

Project Manager & Producer

Chase a Cloud

Manage creation of animation and VFX projects transforming complex ideas into clear, engaging, and visually captivating startup videos
Find and coordinate talented artists, define overall visual direction, and ensure seamless communication between clients and creative team
Balance creative strategy with effective project management to deliver visual content that helps startups convey ideas, products, and services compellingly

Jun 2012 - Jan 2016

3 years 8 months

Founder and Graphic Designer

oBlag - Studio for Great Logos

Build a graphic design studio specializing in logos, brand identity, print materials, web assets, and social media visuals
Translate client visions into actionable projects and coordinate team execution
Design final deliverables ensuring logos tell business stories, inspire pride, and convey the right message and emotions

Jun 2010 - Feb 2011

9 months

Graphic Designer

1IDEA Ltd.

Create promotional materials such as posters, brochures, and flyers, ensuring print readiness or web optimization
Develop presentations and 3D visualizations to bring design concepts to life, supporting marketing and creative initiatives

Jun 2008 - Feb 2009

9 months

Graphic Designer

Virtualis

Create design concepts and prepare print-ready files for business cards, flyers, menus, and brochures
Participate in in-house production process to ensure high-quality outputs

Jan 2008 - Jun 2012

4 years 6 months

Sofia, Bulgaria

Freelance Graphic Designer

Freelancer

Manage end-to-end projects including client acquisition, communication, and final delivery
Understand client needs, plan projects, and create high-quality design materials
Coordinate with print houses and web developers to ensure seamless production and deliver finished products
Develop broad skill set combining creative design, project management, and client relations for logos, brand identities, and print/digital assets

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.

My expertise spans product strategy, user experience design, cross-functional 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.

Skills

Product Management
Project Coordination
Data-driven Decision Making

Languages

Bulgarian

Native

English

Advanced

Education

Oct 2011 - Jun 2012

Cornell University

Graduate · Entrepreneurship/Entrepreneurial Studies · Ithaca, United States

Oct 2007 - Jun 2011

University of National and World Economy

Bachelor · Accounting · Sofia, Bulgaria

Oct 2002 - Jun 2007

Business High School of Varna "G. S. Rakovski"

Economics and management · Varna, Bulgaria

Certifications & licenses

PADI Rescue Diver

Profile

Created

June 2025

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Frequently asked questions

Do you have questions? Here you can find further information.

Where is Blagomir based?

Blagomir is based in Sofia, Bulgaria.

What languages does Blagomir speak?

Blagomir speaks the following languages: Bulgarian (Native), English (Advanced).

How many years of experience does Blagomir have?

Blagomir has at least 18 years of experience. During this time, Blagomir has worked in at least 8 different roles and for 8 different companies. The average length of individual experience is 2 years. Note that Blagomir may not have shared all experience and actually has more experience.

What roles would Blagomir be best suited for?

Based on recent experience, Blagomir would be well-suited for roles such as: Co-Founder, Head of Product, Product Manager for Internal Product, Project Manager for External Projects.

What is Blagomir's latest experience?

Blagomir's most recent position is Co-Founder, Head of Product at 9am.

What companies has Blagomir worked for in recent years?

In recent years, Blagomir has worked for 9am and CodeControl.

Which industries is Blagomir most experienced in?

Blagomir is most experienced in industries like Professional Services, Media, Entertainment and Publishing, and Advertising. Blagomir also has some experience in Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, and Retail.

Which business areas is Blagomir most experienced in?

Blagomir is most experienced in business areas like Project Management, Marketing, and Product Development. Blagomir also has some experience in Information Technology (IT), Business Intelligence, and Production/Manufacturing.

Which industries has Blagomir worked in recently?

Blagomir has recently worked in industries like Aerospace and Defense, Automotive, and Retail.

Which business areas has Blagomir worked in recently?

Blagomir has recently worked in business areas like Product Development, Information Technology (IT), and Project Management.

What is Blagomir's education?

Blagomir holds a Bachelor in Accounting from University of National and World Economy.

Does Blagomir have any certificates?

Blagomir has 1 certificate: PADI Rescue Diver.

What is the availability of Blagomir?

Blagomir is immediately available for suitable projects.

What is the rate of Blagomir?

Blagomir's rate depends on the specific project requirements. Please use the Meet button on the profile to schedule a meeting and discuss the details.