‘’Making the decision to “kill” something I loved was incredibly tough, but it taught me invaluable lessons. I learned the importance of adaptability and the need to make tough decisions for the greater good. It reinforced the idea that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to greater success. And remember, you only have to be right once.’’

Giannis Rousopoulos

From a young age, Giannis Rousopoulos exhibited a curiosity that set him apart. Not content to follow the well-trodden path, he was always driven by a desire to innovate, to push boundaries, and to leave a meaningful mark on the world.

His journey is a captivating tale of bold choices, unforeseen challenges, and the relentless pursuit of his passions.

The Early Spark

Giannis’s story begins in his formative years when his fascination with technology and economics blossomed. Surrounded by supportive mentors, he was encouraged to explore his interests deeply.

One pivotal moment occurred when he was 18, devouring “The Fable of The Bees” by Bernard Mandeville. This book opened his eyes to the complexities of human behavior and economics, planting the seeds for his future endeavors.

Academic Pursuits and Professional Milestones

Giannis’s academic journey was nothing short of impressive. Armed with two Master’s degrees—one in Blockchain and Digital Currency, and another in International and European Economics with Honors—he was well-equipped to make significant strides in his field.

His professional path saw him serve as a Senior Policy Advisor at the Hellenic Parliament, a role that allowed him to influence critical policy-making initiatives.

His collaborations with Stake Capital Group, Serenity Shield, and the Hellenic Financial Literacy Institute, alongside the creation of Greece’s leading crypto news portal, cryptonomist.gr, further cemented his expertise.

Cryptonomist came with challenges, as expected. 

“One major challenge was bootstrapping Cryptonomist from the ground up with limited resources, which required a lot of creativity and resilience. By focusing on efficient resource management and leveraging a strong network of collaborators, I was able to overcome these obstacles and build a successful platform.“

Now that Giannis had learned the systems and developed his own playbook on how to build a successful one, he was ready to identify the path for the next idea, SmartXiv.

The Birth of an Idea: SmartXiv is born

As with many founders’ stories, It was a personal challenge that sparked Giannis’s most transformative idea.

Overwhelmed by the sheer volume of research papers on arXiv.org, he found the process of staying updated both time-consuming and exhausting.

Instead of accepting this as an inevitable burden, Giannis saw an opportunity for innovation. Thus, SmartXiv was born—an automated solution that streamlined his work and offered immense value to the academic community.

“I needed to solve a problem for myself, implement it, test it, and then make it accessible to the rest of the community. It was a clear path, I thought.“

Confronting Challenges Head-On

Giannis’s journey has not been without its trials. One of the most poignant moments came when he had to make the heart-wrenching decision to shut down a business he loved. Despite his dedication, the venture wasn’t profitable.

This experience, though painful, was a crucible of growth. Giannis emerged with a profound understanding of adaptability and the necessity of making tough decisions for the greater good.

He learned that failure, far from being a final defeat, is a crucial stepping stone to greater success.

Balancing Act? Not Quite

In a world obsessed with work-life balance, Giannis offers a refreshing perspective. He doesn’t strive for a perfect equilibrium between his personal life and his profession.

Instead, he views his work as an integral part of his life. Passionate about his profession, he finds joy and fulfillment in its challenges and triumphs.

Yet, he remains mindful of personal moments and connections that recharge and inspire him, seamlessly integrating his passion into both spheres of his life.

Legacy and Aspirations

Looking back on his career, Giannis hopes to leave a legacy that embodies libertarianism and effective accelerationism.

He aspires to be remembered not just as an innovator but as a boundary-pusher who created transformative solutions. His message to those daring to forge their own paths is clear: 

“Persistence is all-powerful. Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent won’t. Genius won’t. Education won’t.  Remember, on your deathbed, you’ll regret the things you didn’t take action on. If unsure, choose the brave option. It’s the brave choices that shape your spirit.”

The Road Ahead

Ever the visionary, Giannis is now setting his sights on an ambitious project: building a Decentralized Intelligence Organization to combat state corruption in national intelligence agencies.

This initiative, which he’s been meticulously researching, aims to harness technology to foster transparency and accountability on a global scale.

Giannis Rousopoulos’s story is one of contrasts: the interplay of passion and practicality, success and failure, work and life. It’s a testament to the power of daring to be different and the relentless pursuit of one’s passions.

His journey offers invaluable insights and inspiration for those who aspire to carve out their own path, reminding us that the road less traveled is often the one that leads to the most remarkable destinations.