Mykhailo is a global growth and marketing leader who heads marketing partnerships at Bolt, Europe’s leading mobility platform. Based in London, he brings more than ten years of experience helping apps scale through smart user acquisition, innovative partnerships, and performance‑driven strategies in over 30 countries.
He is a strong advocate for holistic marketing, combining co‑marketing, platform integrations, and brand collaborations to drive long‑term business value. Before joining Bolt, Mykhailo ran mobile growth programs at Google, co‑founded a social shopping app, and helped brands grow through his boutique consultancy focused on creator‑led acquisition.
In your own words, what’s your role in the app business right now?
I lead Marketing Partnerships at Bolt, where we drive user growth through strategic collaborations with brands. Through co‑branded initiatives, acquisition campaigns, and subscription bundles, my focus is on unlocking new channels that make Bolt more accessible, relevant, and valuable to our users.
How did you end up working in apps?
I have always been drawn to the opportunities created by globalisation, education and technology. In 2014 I co‑founded QTExS, a translation platform that taught us an early, valuable lesson about product‑market fit. In 2016 I joined Google to learn how great products scale, and two years later I co‑founded Shoply, a community shopping app that hit the Top 5 on Google Play in Ukraine before closing due to funding constraints.
These experiences sparked my passion for high‑growth, mission‑driven work, leading me to Bolt, where I have been driving user growth and marketing partnerships ever since.
What are you most excited about in apps right now?
This year I am especially excited to dive deep into the world of AI tools and apps, ranging from content creation and data analysis to ideation and brainstorming. I have been onboarding myself with the latest solutions, and it is clear we are only scratching the surface.
I believe we are entering a new wave of innovation, where AI, biotechnology, augmented reality and social behaviour will intersect to create powerful, user‑centric products across industries. The speed of progress is inspiring, and I look forward to seeing (and building) what comes next.
Is there anyone you’d like to shout out to who has influenced your journey in the app industry?
The foundation was laid early on, during school and university, and I am genuinely grateful to the teachers who invested their time to build that solid base. There is a quote (or maybe I just made it up): “Your first boss isn’t just someone who signs your paycheck; they set the tone for what leadership should look like.” I truly believe this is especially true in the early stages of your career. I have been lucky to have managers who supported me, challenged me, and helped shape how I think about growth, teamwork, and leadership in the app space.
What’s in your app tech stack?
I am a big fan of Google’s ecosystem. Looker is my go‑to for digging into data, but I also rely on tools such as AppsFlyer, Mixpanel, Similarweb and Sensor Tower to stay on top of performance, attribution and market trends. Lately, AI tools have become a bigger part of my day‑to‑day workflow; ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity now serve as regular co‑pilots for everything from research to ideation.
That said, I still have a soft spot for the classics: notes, spreadsheets and Google Docs. They are fast, flexible and, honestly, simply lovely (yes, that is a shameless F1 reference, haha).
What do you like most about working in apps?
Speed, impact, people. Things move fast; you can test, learn and scale in a matter of days. The work you do has a real, visible impact on millions of users. You are constantly surrounded by sharp, curious minds who challenge you to think bigger and move smarter.
What one thing would you change about the app industry?
There is a quote attributed to Henry Ford: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” I think this captures a big truth about today’s app landscape as well. People do not need more options, results, or ideas; they want one great answer to their individual problem. It feels as though we are extremely close to cracking that in various industries.
If you weren’t working in apps what would you be doing?
If I am allowed to go a little wild here, then definitely an F1 driver, a president, or a world‑class pastry chef. I am not sure whether any of those are still in the cards for this lifetime, but hey, never say never.
iOS or Android?
iOS.
What apps have been most useful to you over the last year?
ChatGPT.
What’s on your Spotify party playlist?
Jazzy classics with swagger, that is the vibe. Think Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and, in some cases, Michael Bublé (especially when Christmas rolls around).
Any TV show recommendations?
Fans of The Office (US), are you here?
Is there anything else we should know about you?
Something from my (partially checked) bucket list: I have shouted from 5,000 m in the Himalayas, jumped out of a plane in Romania, and made it through a 10‑day silent Vipassana retreat.
Do you know someone driving change and growth in the app industry? Nominate an app leader here.
