Hey, I'm Koby Lazar.
Growing up in Long Island, New York, with a tech-focused father at Track Data and a mother who taught violin at home, I was immersed in two worlds—technology and music. Early access to the internet and a front-row seat to the world’s reaction to the 2008 financial crash ignited my determination to build my own financial future. I still remember the thrill of opening my first bank account and watching those tiny amounts of interest add up in my physical bankbook.
By 2009, I was exploring early digital entrepreneurship, uploading torrents to Demonoid.me and designing websites on Wix for friends. This hands-on work laid the groundwork for what would become a passion for business and tech. In 2012, I launched KJSurvivalCraft, a Minecraft server that became a valuable learning ground for everything from community management to troubleshooting technical challenges. Minecraft was my real-world classroom, which then led me to support and sales roles at MinecraftServerDeals.net and, eventually, to co-founding Eye of Ender Hosting in 2013. By 2015, Eye of Ender had grown into Dedioutlet.com, my first dive into marketing, partnerships, and customer service.
As high school progressed, I broadened my pursuits, producing branded video content on Fiverr. This venture led to an invitation to Fiverr’s NYC Community Board, where I represented the gig economy in discussions and even took on some public speaking—an early stepping stone that I hadn’t expected at that age. Around that time, I experimented with cryptocurrency, purchasing Dogecoin and Reddcoin and storing them in Coinomi. This initial interest grew into a formal role with Coinomi when, at 16, I joined their business development team. I managed partnerships and led revenue-generating campaigns that helped drive Coinomi’s user growth. My mentors, Angelos and Giannis, were instrumental, teaching me how to manage teams across global time zones and tackle complex projects.
In 2016, I spent the summer studying psychoneuroimmunology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Weizmann Institute, where I co-authored a paper on microglia—a unique and formative experience. By 2018, I had enrolled in Mechanical Engineering at Drexel University, drawn by their co-op program that allowed for real-world work experience. My first co-op, with STV Engineering, involved sustainable rail and bus projects across the U.S., including work on the very Q Subway line I used to reach Fiverr’s offices years before. With mentors like Andy Lamb, I learned the dynamics of professional project management and the impact of sustainable infrastructure.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed my path, bringing me back to Coinomi as Managing Director, where I led initiatives that doubled our user base and revenue. When leadership dynamics shifted, I decided to launch Eucalyptus Labs in 2022. With a core team, including Tim Molter, Angelos Leoussis, and Michelle Lachut, we launched Koala Wallet, which quickly gained traction as a leading non-custodial tool across multiple blockchain ecosystems.
At the same time, I earned my Series 65 certification and co-founded Lazarowitz Capital with Faizan Muhammad. Although it eventually became more of a hobby, Faizan’s book recommendations and our late-night discussions have deeply influenced my business perspective. Consulting with Todd White and his team at Dry Farm Wines also shaped my approach to management, showing me the impact of a truly supportive corporate culture.
In 2024, I partnered with Giannis to restore Coinomi’s legacy. Alongside the incredible team at Eucalyptus Labs, we’re bringing new life to Coinomi, backed by insights and expertise we gained at Koala Wallet. Throughout this journey, I’ve been fortunate to have the support of my family: my sister Sydney’s accomplishments continue to inspire me, and I’m deeply grateful to my parents, my grandparents in the U.S. and Israel, and extended family in Israel.