Graduated high school with top honors, Bank of American Achievement Award presented by David A. Coulter, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Cybersecurity Consultant

After high school, Gennady Barsky worked in San Francisco as a cybersecurity consultant for Charles Schwab. This was an eye-opening experience for him, sparking his eventual life-long interest in financial services, banking and technology.

Founder and Chief Technology Officer

At the age of 18, Gennady Barsky created an online financial mortgage marketplace, a harbinger of how the internet would eventually change the entire financial services industry.

He developed California Home Search, the first online real estate portal, as well as the one of the first online mortgage portals, which became Rates.com, Inc. in 1999. The company was licensed as a mortgage lender in 47 states, and eventually became rates.com. (He bought the domain name from someone in Quebec for $3,000).

At the age of 20, Barsky raised $4.5 million in Series A funding for the company in two hours. Among the investors who contributed to the company in 1999 were George Still, Jr., of Norwest Venture Partners, Virginia M. Turezyn from Information Technology Ventures, and Jeffrey G. Edwards from JGE Capital. The company raised another $12 million within six months, positioning itself for an IPO. But market conditions and the Dot Com crash halted those plans, and the company was acquired by Norwest Venture Partners in early 2000.

Founder and Managing Partner of boutique Venture Capital Firm

Flush with success after rates.com, Gennady Barsky founded B Cubed Ventures, a boutique venture capital firm. It co-invested with Robertson Stephens as a client of its private wealth group. Ten companies were funded. Several were either acquired, went public, or disappeared during the Dot Com crash, and a few, such as iRise and Aravo, are still in existence.

Founder and EVP, Corporate Affairs

Gennady Barsky’s interest in financial services and technology continued with Authernative, Inc., which he founded in 2000. The company specialized in developing processes and obtaining patents for security and private payment systems, eventually holding 36 global patents. Barsky’s vision in 2000 to focus on security in banking has continued to evolve in the last two decades.

Worked as a private cyber security consultant for Nevada Pacific Consulting LLC, a private company owned by Workday founder David Duffield, who would later describe himself as a friend and investor when asked about Barsky. Duffield gifted Barsky shares in Workday when it went public in October of 2012

Co-managed a Real Estate Investment Fund

In 2006, Gennady Barsky and his former partner founded Lodgepole Investments, a private real estate investment fund that focused on providing private capital for real estate development and construction, as well as for alternative investments.

The fund flourished, attracting investments from many wealthy private individuals who earned a steady return. But in 2012, in the middle of Barsky’s then-contentious divorce, his ex-wife filed liens against property he owned through Lodgepole.

This led to a business dispute and lawsuit, which ended with Barsky leaving Lodgepole, and a 2013 federal court settlement that included an undisclosed payment, mutual releases and non-disparagement agreements from both sides. Despite the global settlement agreement, Lodgepole and its representatives have spent years relitigating previously failed claims through politicians later convicted of corruption.

Redeveloping affluent Los Angeles properties

Gennady Barsky had a plan when he bought four luxury properties for about $15 million. He would redevelop them within 36 months, turning the original investments into one worth more than $100 million. His vision was to make each property an ultra-luxury, high-end estate packed with smart home automation, technology and forward-looking design elements. He had worked with power couple David and Cheryl Duffield on home projects worth more than $350 million, which gave him unprecedented access to best-in-business ideas and products.

Gennady Barsky found and acquired the property for $2.2 million in March 2012, working with noted agent Blair Chang. Barsky oversaw its demolition, got the building permits for redevelopment, and then worked with architects and designers in rebuilding the property. It sold for $8.4 million in 2015

1387 N Doheny Dr, West Hollywood, CA

Gennady Barsky purchased the property in June 2012 for $5,275,000. Located within walking distance to the Beverly Hills Hotel, he knew it could be redeveloped as a once-in-a-lifetime gem. But it was sold nine months later for $6,350,000. Barsky originally bought the property with the intention of building a 36,000-square-foot luxury house, which he had designed and planned. But the quick sale came in the middle of his highly contentious divorce, and he wanted to move on with his life. He worked with Blair Chang on both the acquisition and sale of the property.

1054 Shadow Hill Way, Beverly Hills, CA

Gennady Barsky purchased the luxury property in an off-market transaction for $4 million, closing within two weeks. He worked with Blair Chang on acquiring the property. Barsky then worked closely with architects and designers in redeveloping the property. But a subsequent dispute with his partners, which began during Barsky’s then-contentious divorce proceeding, led to a quick $7 million all-cash offer eight months after the purchase.

8741 St Ives Dr, West Hollywood, CA

Gennady Barsky purchased the property, located in “The Summit,” a prestigious gated community off Mulholland Drive, in June 2011 for $3,150,000. He planned to redevelop the 7,000-square-foot home into a 12,000-square-foot mansion. But it was never completed. Barsky decided to halt construction in the middle of his highly contentious divorce. The house eventually sold for $5,420,000 in a 2015 post-Barsky settlement.

Some notable residents of The Summit have included Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears, Ed McMahon, Hillary Duff, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck.

11960 Crest Place, Beverly Hills, California

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

Piloted start-up JetSmarter into a true unicorn.

As co-founder, CFO, President, and Vice Chairman, Barsky led global business development, attracting $120 million in investments from the Saudi royal family, hip hop icon Jay-Z, and large Middle Eastern private equity funds.

He helped turn the start-up into a $1.5 billion unicorn, which garnered attention from then-Florida Governor Rick Scott and included former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former Board Member of LVMH Christophe Navarre on its board.

After Barsky stepped down as President in 2017, the company ran into trouble. “Barsky was a key link to the company’s investors, and his departure made fundraising more challenging,” CNBC reported.

Barsky came to the rescue in 2018 when Swiss billionaire Thomas Flohr, the founder of Vista Global, reached out to him and said he
was interested in buying the company. The sale was announced in April of 2019.

As executive chairman of the Verzasca Group, Gennady Barsky played a critical financial and management role in developing South Florida luxury real estate.

He had been working closely with architect Zaha Hadid at the time of her death in 2016, particularly on a planned tower for 2000 Biscyane Boulevard in the heart of Miami’s fast-growing Edgewater community. The site was later sold to the Kushner Companies.

As executive chairman of the Verzasca Group, Gennady Barsky played a critical financial and management role in developing South Florida luxury real estate.

He had been working closely with architect Zaha Hadid at the time of her death in 2016, particularly on a planned tower for 2000 Biscyane Boulevard in the heart of Miami’s fast-growing Edgewater community. The site was later sold to the Kushner Companies.

As executive chairman of the Verzasca Group, Gennady Barsky played a critical financial and management role in developing South Florida luxury real estate.

He had been working closely with architect Zaha Hadid at the time of her death in 2016, particularly on a planned tower for 2000 Biscyane Boulevard in the heart of Miami’s fast-growing Edgewater community. The site was later sold to the Kushner Companies.

As executive chairman of the Verzasca Group, Gennady Barsky played a critical financial and management role in developing South Florida luxury real estate.

He had been working closely with architect Zaha Hadid at the time of her death in 2016, particularly on a planned tower for 2000 Biscyane Boulevard in the heart of Miami’s fast-growing Edgewater community. The site was later sold to the Kushner Companies.

In early 2016, Gennady Barsky and his wife found a new construction parcel in Bal Harbour, one of the most upscale villages in the greater Miami area. They purchased the site in 2017 for $5.5 million and oversaw all aspects of development and design of their family home. When the Barskys decided to move and put the house up for sale, The Real Deal, a real estate publication, reported that the $8 million sales price broke all records for a non-waterfront house when it closed in 2021. This was Barsky’s last South Florida real estate deal before moving on to other soon-to-be-disclosed new ventures

65 Camden Ct Bal Harbour, FL

In early 2016, Gennady Barsky and his wife found a new construction parcel in Bal Harbour, one of the most upscale villages in the greater Miami area. They purchased the site in 2017 for $5.5 million and oversaw all aspects of development and design of their family home. When the Barskys decided to move and put the house up for sale, The Real Deal, a real estate publication, reported that the $8 million sales price broke all records for a non-waterfront house when it closed in 2021. This was Barsky’s last South Florida real estate deal before moving on to other soon-to-be-disclosed new ventures

65 Camden Ct Bal Harbour, FL

In early 2016, Gennady Barsky and his wife found a new construction parcel in Bal Harbour, one of the most upscale villages in the greater Miami area. They purchased the site in 2017 for $5.5 million and oversaw all aspects of development and design of their family home. When the Barskys decided to move and put the house up for sale, The Real Deal, a real estate publication, reported that the $8 million sales price broke all records for a non-waterfront house when it closed in 2021. This was Barsky’s last South Florida real estate deal before moving on to other soon-to-be-disclosed new ventures

65 Camden Ct Bal Harbour, FL

Gennady Barsky first came to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2014, establishing important business partnerships, attracting investors, and making lifelong friends. Nurturing those relationships through the years, in 2019 he was invited to be part of the country’s first international music festival. Using his global entertainment contacts, he recruited top musical talent to perform on the closing night of the festival, and tickets sold out in four hours. The entertainment lineup included Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, and many other big-name musical stars. The event was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the Saudi National Guard, who has been a stalwart friend to Barsky since they first met.

Gennady Barsky first came to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2014, establishing important business partnerships, attracting investors, and making lifelong friends. Nurturing those relationships through the years, in 2019 he was invited to be part of the country’s first international music festival. Using his global entertainment contacts, he recruited top musical talent to perform on the closing night of the festival, and tickets sold out in four hours. The entertainment lineup included Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, and many other big-name musical stars. The event was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the Saudi National Guard, who has been a stalwart friend to Barsky since they first met.

Gennady Barsky first came to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2014, establishing important business partnerships, attracting investors, and making lifelong friends. Nurturing those relationships through the years, in 2019 he was invited to be part of the country’s first international music festival. Using his global entertainment contacts, he recruited top musical talent to perform on the closing night of the festival, and tickets sold out in four hours. The entertainment lineup included Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, and many other big-name musical stars. The event was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the Saudi National Guard, who has been a stalwart friend to Barsky since they first met.

Gennady Barsky first came to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2014, establishing important business partnerships, attracting investors, and making lifelong friends. Nurturing those relationships through the years, in 2019 he was invited to be part of the country’s first international music festival. Using his global entertainment contacts, he recruited top musical talent to perform on the closing night of the festival, and tickets sold out in four hours. The entertainment lineup included Janet Jackson, Chris Brown, 50 Cent, and many other big-name musical stars. The event was chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of the Saudi National Guard, who has been a stalwart friend to Barsky since they first met.