Nikolay Smorchkov, MBA, is a seasoned product and technology leader with more than a decade of experience in software and product development and team management. He currently works as a Payment Software Leader at a B2B payments provider in Germany, combining deep technical know-how with a strong business mindset. Earlier in his career, he served as CTO and co-founder of a web agency, leading diverse client projects from concept to deployment.

Nikolay holds an MBA along with certifications in ITIL, AWS, ISO 27001, and Business Continuity Management, and has built and led teams across multiple European countries. That cross-border experience gave him firsthand insight into cross-cultural collaboration and global product delivery, and it shapes his emphasis on strong team practices, clear communication, and robust documentation as the foundations of high-performing software organizations.

He is the author of Software Development at Rocket Speed, a practical guide for entrepreneurs, startup founders, and tech managers on creating high-quality IT products quickly, whether or not AI is part of the toolchain. Nikolay regularly writes and speaks about AI, security, user experience, and global team dynamics, from dissecting the risks of AI-generated code to exposing poor digital form design.