Stoyan Zulyamsky, Co-Founder of Costimize: $5 Million Raised to Revolutionize Cloud Finance Management

Welcome to another episode of Category Visionaries — the show that explores GTM stories from tech's most innovative B2B founders. In today's episode, we're speaking with Stoyan Zulyamsky, Co-Founder of Costimize, a finops-powered operating system for the modern enterprise that's raised $5 Million in funding.  Here are the most interesting points from our conversation: 

• Early Tech Aspirations: Stoyan's interest in technology began at a young age, with ambitions to build his own computer. His early career moves, including working for the biggest bank in Bulgaria, provided him with the insights and experiences that would later fuel his entrepreneurial journey.
• The Tech Scene in Bulgaria: From being perceived as a call center location to becoming an R&D hub for large tech companies, Bulgaria has experienced a significant transformation. This change reflects the country's growing startup ecosystem, fueled by an influx of capital and a wealth of educated talent.
• Addressing Cloud Complexity: Costimize tackles the complex, automated environment of cloud systems, aiming to simplify and optimize operations for businesses. Stoyan's vision is to provide a systematic approach to managing and reducing cloud expenses while organizing operational playbooks for sustainability.
• The Genesis of Costimize: The idea for Costimize was born out of Stoyan's experiences in managing IT operations and witnessing the manual efforts required to control cloud spending. This realization led to the development of a platform that could automate these processes, saving time and resources for businesses.
• Market Positioning and Growth Strategy: Initially focusing on Google Cloud as a niche market, Costimize is expanding its offerings to other cloud platforms. Stoyan's strategy involves leveraging marketplace opportunities and partnerships to drive growth, aiming for a tenfold increase in the coming year.
• FinOps and the Future of Cloud Management: Stoyan emphasizes the importance of FinOps (financial operations) in the evolving landscape of cloud management. He envisions Costimize as a central platform that connects various systems, aiding organizations in automating their cloud finances for enhanced profitability.