Alex Debelov - Founder, Author

I left Russia at 14 with nothing. Built a $120M company. Started over. Did it again. Still going.

A passage I come back to

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love

Currently

Currently: Running Go X. Prototyping Medici in stealth. Reading Peter Attia on longevity. Learning to fly on instruments. Still calling my parents every Sunday. Last updated April 2026

The Story

Rostov-on-Don, Russia. Soviet apartment block. Nothing.

At 14, I got on a plane to America. Alone. No English. No money. No one waiting on the other side.

Everything that's happened since started there — in the overhead compartment of a one-way flight I couldn't afford.

At 20, I co-founded Kairos Society with Ankur Jain — two kids who didn't know the rules yet. First move: invite Bill Clinton to keynote our summit. The summit didn't exist. He came anyway.

That taught me something I've never forgotten. The worst anyone can say is no. Most people just never ask.

Three years later: Kairos became the world's largest student entrepreneurship organization. Summits at the New York Stock Exchange and the United Nations. Richard Branson in the room. Bill Gates. Mark Cuban. The Rockefellers. Ankur went on to become one of the youngest billionaires in the world.

At 22, I was at a tech forum in St. Petersburg. The President of Russia walked in. When he stood to leave, I pushed past his security and pitched him on bringing Silicon Valley to Moscow. They detained me for an hour. Took my passport. Six months later, I organized that summit anyway. Brought Steve Wozniak, the CEO of Virgin Galactic, the co-founder of Angry Birds, the creator of Gmail. I was broke. Barely knew any of them.

Doors open for people who knock.

After college, San Francisco. Built Virool — first native video ad platform ever. Pitched 30 investors. Every one said no. Ran out of money. Couldn't make rent.

Called my parents. They offered to help — if I shut down the company and got a real job. That night I made a decision. I'd rather lose everything than stop building.

Y Combinator said yes when nobody else would. Samsung, Sony, Coca-Cola, Warner Bros became clients. Grew to 88 employees across seven countries. 3 billion video impressions a month. 30,000 customers. $120 million valuation. Eventually sold it.

But I wasn't finished.

Now I run Go X — America's #1 B2B micro-mobility platform. 350+ business partners. Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott. World's first autonomous electric scooter fleet. Fast Company World Changing Ideas Award.

Wrote a book on faith along the way. Hit #1 on Amazon.

I still have the one-way ticket from Moscow. It cost $312. Best money I've ever spent.

Think big. Start small. Keep building.

"The worst anyone can say is no. Most people just never ask."

Journey - Career Milestones

2025: Bestselling Author - The Morning Prayer

Morning Prayer Book: 30 Days of Christian Devotions reached #1 on Amazon's bestseller list in the Christian Devotional category. Also won the 2025 BIBA Award, 2025 Storytrade Award, and 2025 Readers Favorite Award.

2018 – Present: Co-Founder & CEO - Go X

Built America's #1 B2B micro-mobility platform. 350+ business partner locations including Sheraton, Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott. Raised $10M+ in VC funding. Launched the world's first self-driving scooter fleet (2021). Operates across Honolulu, Daytona Beach, Las Vegas, New Orleans and 15+ cities.

2011 – 2017: Co-Founder & CEO - Virool (Y Combinator S12)

Pioneered the world's first native video advertising network. Raised $20M+ from DFJ, Menlo Ventures, and 500 Startups. Grew to 88 employees across 7 offices. Served 3+ billion video impressions monthly to 30,000+ customers. Reached $120M valuation before acquisition at age 27.

2008 – 2010: Student Entrepreneur & Co-Founder - Kairos Society

Co-founded the world's largest student entrepreneurship network spanning 25 top universities including Harvard, MIT, and Stanford. Organized global summits at the New York Stock Exchange and United Nations with Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Mark Cuban in attendance.

Body of Work - Ventures

Affiliations

Y Combinator, 500 Startups, Plug and Play, St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Babson College, Kairos Society, f.ounders, Web Summit

Press

Recognition & Awards

Social Profiles

Alex Debelov | CEO of Go X, Virool Founder, Forbes 30 Under 30 Entrepreneur & Bestselling Author

Alexander Debelov is a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Go X, the #1 B2B micro-mobility platform in the U.S., creator of the world's first self-driving scooter fleet. Founder of Virool (YC S12, acquired at $120M valuation), co-founder of Kairos Society, Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Inc. 500 winner, and bestselling author of 'The Morning Prayer'—explore his journey in innovation, sustainable mobility, and philanthropy