My name is Ioannis Rafail Florokapis, I study Economics and Statistics at Williams College in Massachusetts, graduating this fall, and I am originally from Thessaloniki in Greece (pictured above behind me is the "White Tower", Thessaloniki's landmark). I am 24 years old.
I am a currently on a gap year, working on my new Data Science Marketplace startup called 'Algora', together with my partner Klejdi - I will be posting updates here and seeking feedback from the community once we make some good progress (also have some thoughts in relation to the blockchain and would appreciate everyone's input). I am also trading full-time, mainly FX, on my own (very very modest) account; in fact, just recently I converted the base account away from the fiat dollar currency and into bitcoin and ethereum, and just bought Steem Power! So you can say I am a new crypto enthusiast and investor (in my humble beginnings) and of course a proud new Steemian!! I have also been taking Russian lessons for 3 months now and will be continuing with my learning moving forward! I am super excited to become a member of this incredible community (I have been browsing Steemit quite extensively thus far, really learning a ton from everyone, before making my present first post now). I would like to share with you some information about my background as well as highlight how I hope to bring value to the community and hopefully engage with everyone. Thanks so much in advance for taking the time to read this.
My Story
I was born and raised in Thessaloniki and went to an American highschool, Anatolia College, in my town, where I completed the International Baccalaureate, tying for the highest graduating grade in Greece in 2011 (guess I was nerd ha). At the time of high school I thought I wanted to study medicine (little did I know), but with the global financial crisis hitting Greece hard and the constantly deteriorating situation back home, greatly affecting financially both my family and all my fellow countrymen without exception, I realized from a young age I had to pursue my dreams abroad. Greece is unfortunately too small for my aspirations anyway. I took a gap year and was fortunate to land a research internship at the Nephrology Division of Massachusetts General Hospital / Harvard Medical School at the age of 18, conducting biomedical research there for 6 months in Dr. Anna Greka's lab, while also applying to US colleges. I was very fortunate to get accepted to Williams College with a full scholarship, and that's where my life started to change.
*Below is a picture with a Williams alum of the older generation during our Homecoming - staring at the future?! :D
I was very lucky to be raised in a great family that I love more that anything in the world, I have two older sisters, Anna and Maria, that I absolutely adore, and a new family member, my brother-in-law Michael, who is a Greek-American entrepreneur and possibly the most awesome guy I've ever met, I am so happy I have a brother now! In fact, I maintain the trading account together with Michael, I got him hooked in the crypto space as well, and we are both super excited to have invested in Steem, Bitcoin and Ethereum! Anna and Michael are living a little outside of Boston and I visit them often! My sister Anna is a pharmacist, got her Pharm.D in Germany, did research at Harvard herself and currently is making her steps towards a great career in the US. I am really happy to have family both back home in Greece and in the US, which I have come to call my second home after so many years there. *Here's a picture with my sisters and Michael, and one with Anna when she visited Williams (we look alike a lot, don't we?!)
My first entrepreneurial endeavors
During my freshman year in college, when I dived deep into the liberal arts education regime (taking courses as diverse as Neuroscience, Arabic, Philosophy and Math over the years), I co-founded my first tech company InteracTiV, an online social multimedia interactivity platform (basically starting as a browser plug-in overlaying metadata on top of multimedia content online on sites like Youtube, Vimeo, Netflix etc.) Through offering social media-based interactions on top of the multimedia content our goal was to crowdsource user interactions, namely in-video tags and comments, and use them to create an in-video search engine (ex for commercial products monetization and granular market research) and reverse-engineer automatic content recognition software. We kicked it off well, winning $5,000 at a business plan competition at Williams, meeting with some top execs at Viacom and Allen and Co. and getting a small investment from an alum, while being accepted to incubators. *Here's a pic from the competition award, on my right as you see the pic is Klejdi Banka, my current co-founder for Algora. And another one in a suit, being an adult and all :D
Unfortunately, the journey ended my sophomore year with one of the partners showing his true colors, embezzling the money we had raised and fleeing (big early lesson on doing proper due diligence and picking the right partners...!).
Moving forward, over the next years I worked at a shipping company in Athens, Greece, called Starbulk (the biggest US-listed dry bulk carrier), gaining an invaluable insight into the value chain of the maritime transportation industry. In fact, I think the blockchain can do wonders for the shipping industry and upend the way business is done there (as with every field) - I will be making a post here sharing my thoughts on the blockchain applied to the shipping industry.
My junior year I became interested in the space of peer-to-peer (micro)lending, and had an idea for a social media integrated, originally location-based, p2p microlending mobile app called 'SpotMe'. It was a great idea and got some VC interest, but usury laws in the US prevented me from achieving it. That's when I started learning more about the blockchain, which could offer a viable framework to create this, but it was hard to kick it off the ground then in terms of technical development (and hey, what do you know, today we have blockchain-based startups like "Suretly" - with the crowdvouching model - and BitBond, so I guess I'm late there, although SpotMe). It's awesome to see this application starting to flourish though!
Starting my trading career
Last summer I did a discretionary and algorithmic trading internship at Gelber Group, a Chicago-based proprietary trading firm, getting my first big experience in the space. My training was in Chicago and then I worked at the New Jersey office in Cranford. I traded mainly forex, but also stock index futures and commodities, I was in fact also trading the night of Brexit and that was INSANE! What an experience.. I learnt a ton at Gelber Group and would highly recommend to anyone thinking about a career in trading to consider working at a prop trading firm first as either an algorithmic or discretionary trader, before perhaps embarking on their own (as I have done).
* This is the only picture of me I found being in front of the trading screens in Chicago (must have been super early I kinda look horrible lol) + here's the view of NYC I had every morning around 6am at the Exchange Place PATH station in New Jersey before going to the office (lowkey I took the picture myself!!)
Both trading and entrepreneurship share the attribute of asymmetric risk-reward (when done properly), with just a small amount of capital and the opportunity cost of your time being at stake, with the potential rewards being outlandishly higher, and basically these two are my passions and what I hope to being throughout my life. I am of course just making my first baby steps and have so much to learn. And now I want to bring both together under the umbrella of what I believe is the greatest invention since the creation of the internet; the blockchain.
My interests and how I hope to bring value to our Steemit community
I spend the majority of my time reading and learning on technology, science and finance. I am a theoretical physics and neuroscience enthusiast and I love exploring intersections between these fields and the consciousness mechanics stemming from the spheres of mysticism and eastern spirituality. I am a big soccer fan (my city's team is PAOK FC) and I like DJing (I love tropical house and EDM music). I am here on Steemit to learn and grow as an entrepreneur and as a person and hopefully create value for the community.
I will be authoring posts and curating content, articles and research relating to business-entrepreneurship, technology, science and finance and of course everything all around the crypto space and the blockchain. I am also thinking about starting to share my trading setups with everyone for FX and crypto trading (would also help me better formulate my ideas and establish accountability). I would appreciate everyone's feedback on what would interest you the most. I hope to bring in fresh ideas and perspectives to the community and I will do my best to actively engage with everyone and post awesome content for everyone to hopefully learn something new. I myself have been learning so much everyday on Steemit, thank you for this everyone!!
I am ready to embark on this beautiful journey with you. Thank you kindly in advance for your support and friendship.
Much love Steemians!
Awesome, bro! Welcome aboard!
In my cupboard I have a tumbler from Tunnel City Coffee, which I am sure you and your mates have frequented!
Chicago is my city -- I'm happy you spent some time there and learned some fun, useful, fascinating stuff.
I am a trader, too, an autodidact, and I post about it. I have a PhD in Ethnomusicology, but have yet to post much about music. I live in Brazil, so I do post about the situation here...
Looking forward to your posts!
Hey bro! Haha thanks for the reply :) Whaaat that's insane haha I literally have coffee at Tunnel City every morning when I'm at Williams!! I am so excited now, and man I loved Chicago what a beautiful beautiful city wow, would definitely live there if I could. It sounds like you have an incredible story behind you, thanks for honoring me with a reply :) And we're both traders, I'm so happy right now already finding like-minded new friends. I am following you sir, hope life is good in Brazil! Cheers!! :)
:)) See you around!
Glad to have you on Steemit
Nice background! Good luck!
Thank you @rmach , appreciate it :)
Welcome to steemit @irf1! Hope you enjoy our wonderful community! :)
Thank you @sgnsteems ! :)
Welcome aboard. Now following you.
Thank you!! Have a good one :)
Congrats on all of the amazing accomplishments @irf1! Keep on sharing your talents with the world and welcome to the crypto free world of Steemit!
Thanks so much Edgar! You're actually the talented one here!! (I'm just an all-around really curious invidivual). Please continue producing awesome music for us :) Steem on!!
Thank you!! Although it does take talent to become a successful trader too! I also trade but mostly on my free time not professionally. Nowadays its all about the crypto world though, i feel like there is so much potential!
Nice photos!
heh thanks jray! I like your prof pic too :)
😊
Welcome to steemit @irf1. You will do great here
Thank you so much @gringalicious !! :)
My brother-in-law Michael actually worked and volunteered in Chile a while back, told me a lot about the incredible energy there, almost mystical the way he described it. Have also read some great stories online about people's experiences with ayahuasca there. I love your food blogging, followed :) Stem on!
Well, I have heard of ayahuasca, but no one I know. The natives are into a lot the mystical stuff, of course.
Welcome on Steemit @irf1! Have fun!
Thank you so much mate!! Great headshot pic btw.
I see you got some awesome posts, thank you for dropping some knowledge! Following ya
Hey Ioannis, welcome to Steemit! Hope you have a great time here! Followed :)
Hey @droidsid ! Thanks for the welcoming, looking forward to more stories posted from you!
Hello, Ioannis. Welcome to the community, It's great to have you here in the platform. Congratulation in advance for finishing your course.
Thank you so much Juvy! I really appreciate it! Great stories and pictures from the Philippines wow. Take care mate :)
Hello Ioannis, welcome to Steem! :-)
Thank you Gandalf The Grey ! Appreciate it fam :) just voted you for witness!! (it's probably a drop in the ocean for you, but hey, thanks so much for making this a better place for everyone). Steem on!!
Thank you for your trust. Every vote matters.
:)
Congratulations on that introduction, Ioannis! Nicely done.
I'm always impressed by the coloring of Greek landscapes. The second pictures is extraordinarily beautiful!
What else could be said? That's surely the perfect basis and attitude :-)
Enjoy your journey! Followed for future stories.
Oh gosh I'm so flattered @surfermarly ! Really appreciate it :)) You are seriously such an awesome person, just browsing your blog I'm like wow I wanna be like you!! No kidding, thanks so much for your welcoming!! You are incredible, I'm following you :)
well welcome to steem. I'm glad your here.
Thank you mate! Feels great to join you guys :)
Welcome malaka! Hope you enjoy it here :)
Haha thanks bro!! I'm glad to be here! Awesome illustrations mate :O
Hey ty mate! Where in Greece are you? I was on Corfu last year.
:D I'm in Thessaloniki, it's in the North. That's awesome bro I'm sure you must have had a blast Corfu is gorgeous! I'm following you, looking forward to more art from you mate!
It was great but I stayed at the Pink Palace. It was a bit too crazy and hard core there. I also went in June and it was super hot.
beautiful island to be sure :)
:) sounds like a story to me! Make sure you visit other Greek islands as well if you ever find the chance again! great to hear about this bro
I will do! I miss that ocean that is like bath water :)
Welcome to Steemit! @irf1 We hope you have a good time here :-)
Thank you for the welcoming Jason! I'm really excited, let's have a great time :)
Welcome to steemit @irf1 - glad to have you here!
I had my best every holiday in Greece, I absolutely fell in love with the country and it's people! I hope to return again some day.
I look forward to reading your posts. Have fun and steem on!
Thank you so much @gmuxx !! I am so happy to hear you loved your vacation in Greece!! It truly is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, it really sucks we have been in such a messy situation for so many years. Thanks again for the welcoming mate, appreciate it. Steem on!
Γεια σου Ιωάννη..καλώς ήρθες στο steemit..χαίρομαο που μέρα με τη μέρα όλο και περισσότεροι έλληνες γράφονται στο steemit καο γνωρίζουν τα κρυπτονομίσματα..
Σε ευχαριστώ ρε πατρίδα! Να'σαι καλά! Όπως τα λες μακάρι κάθε μέρα να γινόμαστε περισσότεροι!! Looking forward to your posts, followed :)
Welcome sir! I am new here myself. I am an independent creative writer. I write short stories, poetry, and oponion pieces. I will follow you and I invite you to follow me. I wish you much success on this platform.
Southern VA Patriot
Thank you for the welcoming sir! I will follow your writings, thank you for the opportunity. May we have an awesome journey on Steemit! Cheers :)
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Welcome to Steemit. :-)
Thank you sir! :)
You are most very welcome.
Bienvenido @irf1 Saludos.
Gracias Jackelin :)
welcome to steemit is good to have you here on the best social media platform.
Thanks bro ! I think it's truly the best social media platform indeed! :D
Nice to know you friend. 🌸🌸🌻🐩
Follow me @yuslindwi
Thank you Yuslin! Great to be here :)
You're welcome, i'm just follow you
@irf1 bienvenido a steemit. te dejo un voto y te sigo!
sígueme en : https://steemit.com/@jhelbich
Thank you! Hope I visit Argentina one day :)
@irf1 bienvenido a Steemit te voto .
sígueme https://steemit.com/@cyclope
Thank you @cyclope! Looks like we're both new here, so Steem on!
Welcome to Steemit Ioannis! Really great intro, i'm new too and i have some interests in common. Followed
Thank you Angel!! Your intro post was awesome too! (loved the pics from the mountain). Indeed we have common interests, I loved Donnie Darko and those similar movies myself! Hey you should actually check out trading I'm sure you'd love it! Cheers mate, Steem on!
Thanks for check it out! I'll do. I look forward to seeing your posts about that
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Welcome to steemit!
Please pour in your comments and upvote https://steemit.com/sleep/@digitaldollar/is-it-sleep-paralysis-or-demon-attack
Upvote and Follow me @digitaldollar
Upvoted and will follow you as well!
Welcome aboard mate
Thanks bro! Ha awesome 'peer pressure' intro post, wish my friends knew about Steemit too (they are starting to learn now, I'll get everyone on board). Steem on !
Loool, that's the spirit, the more the merrier. thanks and i will be watching out for great stuff from you
Welcome aboard! Follow me at https://steemit.com/@bitgeek
Thank you @bitgeek ! What a lovely lovely picture with your son, also respect for your actuary profession must be super interesting! Thanks again for the welcoming :)
welcome to steemit
Thank you @meila :)
welcome steemit
thank you @zulfi ! Super happy to be here :)
Hi @irf1, great introduce you wrote there :) Followed and I encourage you to also follow me at https://steemit.com/@imperfect-one :) Cheers!
Thanks mate! or should I say fellow European :)) Steem on!
:)
Welcome to Steemit!
Greetings from Serbia :)
Hey @jovana , thanks for the welcome! Great finding more European Steemians! That's a very lovely headshot pic btw :)) FK Partizan is our brother team with PAOK in soccer, hope you don't support Red Star Belgrade! Ha Steem on!
Thank you :)
And, I do not support Red Star. Partizan is my team :D
Haha let's goo!! Ooo Partizane Volimo Te Srce Svim ! :D We have the same chant with PAOK, I go to the games almost every week! Hope you make it to Thessaloniki one day :)
Haha :D Samo tebi verni, samo tebi odani :D
Hopefully, I'll make it soon :) Greece is always a good place to visit :)
Haha :D Hit me up when you do :) Take care!!
What a great introduction post! Welcome to Steemit! I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do. You have a follower. See you around! :-)
Thank you so much bart, I really appreciate it ! :) Thanks for the awesome photographs, I also loved the Arnhem BItcoin city post you made, that's so legit! Really happy to be here, Steem on !
You're welcome
Wow great intro glad you made your way to steem, upvoted stop by my last post and help spread the steem!
https://steemit.com/life/@adriansky/foggy-golden-gate-bridge-san-francisco-8mm-super-8-film
Hey Adrian! Really appreciate it fam, thanks for the beautiful pictures of yours!! Got my upvotes, you're a pro. So excited to be a new Steemian! :)) Steem on!
I miss so much Thessaloniki :) Welcome and happy steeming !
Hey neighbor!! Oh so happy to hear you have visited! Thanks for the welcome :)) Steem on!!
Welcome to Steemit @irf1
Thanks bro! Awesome post about Martha’s Vineyard ! Steem on !
I'm glad you liked it. I will follow you and wait for your next post :)
Welcome aboard, We are glad to have you here. I adore Chicago it is certainly one of my favorite cities to visit. If you are a foodie, I would recommend Taste of Chicago festival, you get to sample foods from all walks of life from within the community. Mmm! Just thinking about it has made me very hungry.
Thanks for the welcome @wthomas ! And I will certainly try it out whenever I get the chance :)
Welcome to the community!
Thank you @rocking-dave !! Steem on fam! :)
Welcome and great post! Steemit is an amazing platform and its great to have you here! If you are ever hungry... dont go to my page! hahah :P Alla x
Thanks Alla!! Haha well I visited your page and then ended up making a trip to the fridge :D Awesome post from the lake in the Dominican Republic as well, looks incredible! Steem on :)
heheh aww thanks so much!!! oops i hope you didnt eat the entire fridge! :P
Καλησπέρα Γιάννη πολύ εντυπωσιακό βιογραφικό!!! και πολυ ωραίες φωτογραφίες !!! εννοείται ακολουθώ!!!
Ευχαριστώ πάρα πολύ Μαρία !!! :) Loved your Sunday break post, super healthy and radiant :)
Welcome to Steemit Rafa! I hope to learn a lot from your skills in trading, I am beginning and there are things that I don't quite understand yet
Steem on!
appreciate it friend :) I'll start posting some cool things soon :)
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