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Seva Zhidkov
Working on something new ✨. Previously: AngelList, VK. Created the Clever App: HQ Trivia for Russia with 12M installs.
Professional Background
Seva Zhidkov is an accomplished software engineer and innovative entrepreneur, known for his influential roles in the dynamic world of technology and social networks. With a strong foundation in engineering and a rich history of leadership, Seva has consistently contributed to the growth and evolution of cutting-edge digital products. His career trajectory began at VK, one of Russia's leading social networks, where he played a significant part in shaping its advertising platform and engaging user experiences.
During his 2.5 years at VK, Seva began as a software engineer focused on VK Ads, where he not only honed his technical expertise but also exhibited his leadership abilities by spearheading various special projects and SME initiatives. Remarkably, the company saw its workforce expand from 100 to 350 employees during his tenure, reflecting Seva's impactful contributions to the company's growth strategy. One of his most notable achievements was as the leader of the Clever App team, a live trivia app that quickly became a sensation in Russia, garnering over 12 million installs within just one year. Seva was instrumental in scaling the app's back-end services, managing to support an impressive 1 million requests per second, which showcases his exceptional technical prowess and problem-solving skills.
Making strides as a product manager while tackling user churn at Clever App, Seva combined his engineering insights with strategic product development to enhance user retention, ensuring sustained engagement in a highly competitive market. Following his transformative experience at VK, Seva expanded his horizons by joining AngelList Venture as a full-stack engineer, where he further enriched his skill set in software development.
Embracing his entrepreneurial spirit, Seva co-founded MATT, an innovative social platform that initially focused on augmented reality masks before pivoting to become a live streaming platform. The entrepreneurial venture attracted considerable attention, successfully raising $275,000 and amassing 200,000 users, largely through the viral nature of TikTok. This venture highlighted Seva's ability to adapt and innovate in alignment with emerging trends in the tech landscape.
Education and Achievements
Though Seva Zhidkov is a high school dropout, his remarkable career path illustrates that real-world experience and a passion for technology can lead to extraordinary accomplishments. His journey emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and self-driven innovation in the tech industry. Seva's ability to understand complex systems and translate them into user-friendly applications is a testament to his natural aptitude for software engineering.
Seva's achievements include leading teams that drive the development of products which resonate with millions of users. His efforts in scaling the Clever App infrastructure not only met the demands of a rapidly growing user base but also reflected his capacity to lead through significant challenges. As a co-founder and CEO at Stealth, Seva continues to showcase his commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and creating solutions that address modern needs.
Notable Achievements
- VK Ads Development: Played a key role in the engineering and operational scaling of VK Ads, contributing significantly to the platform's success within the competitive social media landscape.
- Clever App Launch: Successfully launched and scaled Clever App, achieving 12 million installs and developing back-end services capable of handling 1 million requests per second, significantly enhancing the app's reliability and performance.
- User Retention Strategies: Acted as a product manager at Clever App, implementing strategies to reduce user churn, thereby improving engagement and sustaining growth.
- MATT Co-founding: Co-founded MATT, pivoting from a niche AR social platform to a wide-reaching live streaming service, raising $275,000 in funding and gaining substantial traction with 200,000 users through engaging content on platforms like TikTok.
- Leadership at Stealth: As the co-founder and CEO of Stealth, Seva continues to lead and inspire teams, driving forward innovative projects that pave the way for future technological advancements.
Seva Zhidkov exemplifies the modern tech entrepreneur, combining sharp engineering skills with a profound understanding of market dynamics and user behavior. His journey reflects a compelling blend of technical acumen, innovative leadership, and a consistent drive for success in the competitive world of software development and entrepreneurship.
