Person attributes
George Steven Kokinos ("Steve") is a technology industry executive. He currently serves as the CEO of Algorand. Previously, he founded three Boston-area technology companies, including Fuze, BladeLogic, and Web Yes.
In 2018, Kokinos was named CEO of Algorand. Algorand is a decentralized, permissionless blockchain protocol that can be used to develop applications and transfer value. Algorand endeavors to solve the so-called "blockchain trilemma" and support a system that is decentralized, scalable, and secure.As Algorand's CEO, Kokinos is responsible for the company's overall business vision and strategy.
In 2005, Kokinkos co-founded ThinkingPhones, with Derek Yoo. After raising $200 million dollars from 2012 to 2016 and growing the company from 200 to 700 employees over the course of 2015, ThinkingPhones was rebranded as Fuze.
Fuze is an enterprise-centric, cloud-based, real-time contact center communications platform. Fuze's platform offers a seamless transition among calling, video conferencing, instant messaging, and sharing in a cloud architecture.
Kokinos served as Fuze's President and CEO until February 2017 and as chairman of the board until January 2022, when the company was acquired by 8x8 for $250 million.
In 2001, Kokinos co-founded BladeLogic, with Dev Ittycheria. BladeLogic provided data center automation solutions for enterprises, service providers, and government organizations. The company’s software-enabled organizations to configure, patch, audit, and remediate servers and applications.
BladeLogic went public in 2007 and was acquired by BMC Software for $800 million in 2008.
In 1996, at age nineteen, Kokinos founded Web Yes, Inc. Based out of Lynnfield, Massachusetts, Web Yes was an application service provider (ASP)that offered web hosting services. During his tenure, Kokinos served as president and CEO. Web Yes, Inc. was an early ASP market leader. Web Yes built and managed ten data centers around the world and managed critical infrastructure for e-commerce vendors such as Sun Microsystems, Netscape, Lycos, and others.
In 1999, Web Yes was acquired by Breakaway Solutions.At Breakaway, Kokinos established and ran the company’s ASP business and helped take the company public.
Kokinos was born in April 1975 and was raised in Andover, Massachusetts, a town located about 20 miles north of Boston. His dad was a Certified Public Accountant and ran his own accounting practice.
In 1993, Kokinos graduated high school from Phillips Academy, an elite boarding school in Andover, Massachusetts, where he received a special mention for distinguished scholarship in music. While at Phillips Academy, Kokinos was the publishing manager of the school newspaper, The Phillipian.
Kokinos graduated from McGill University in 1998. Kokinos attended McGill to study music, but ultimately graduated with a degree in economics.
Before starting Web Yes, Kokinos worked at a large investment company.As of 2022, Kokinos co-owned a house with Deborah Kokinos near Spy Pond in Arlington, Massachusetts .
