Edtech Insiders Innovating English Learning for the Digital Age: Max Azarov's Journey with NovaKid
Max Azarov is an experienced entrepreneur in the IT industry. He graduated from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) where he studied at the School of Physics and Mathematics, and he holds an MBA from the University of Massachusetts.
Max built his career in IT product management and software development across Russia and the USA, working for Cyber Vision, Digital 5, Google and LG Electronics. As a product manager for Google, Max was responsible for the global product as well as the Russian/CIS markets (Google Search and Google Maps). Products in his portfolio generated tens of millions of dollars in revenue. This experience was crucial for Max’s skills as a team leader and software developer, but he always wanted to use his IT knowledge to build his own business. In 2013, Max launched his first startup with Dmitry Malin: Cloudike, a cloud storage solution (white label) for carriers and service-providers, such as Vodafon, Vestel, and others.
His IT background, along with a passion for the EdTech industry gained from teaching English to his own children, led to the idea of a digital English learning platform. In 2017, Max co-founded Novakid in Silicon Valley (USA) with Dmitry Malin.
NovaKid is a Series B EdTech startup ($41,5M raise) and was ranked at #105 on the 2023 Inc 5000 list of the fastest growing companies in America (1st in the education category). This online English as a Second Language learning platform for children aged 4 to 12 has delivered over 14 million English lessons for kids since inception in 2017.
Recommended Resources:
Edtech Insiders
GSV N2K
Brighteye
TechCrunch