Skills
About
I'm an experienced entrepreneur and the co-founder of Novakid, an award-winning online English school for young learners. With a strong background in technology and innovation, I’ve launched several successful startups, including Cloudike, and held roles at top companies like Google and LG. I studied at MIPT, earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts, and I am a Certified Coach. In 2017, my co-founder and I launched Novakid to address the global need for accessible, high-quality English education for children.
Max Azarov
Published content
expert panel
Some executives are energized while others are cautious, but all agree that adapting to rapid innovation is essential to thriving in today's marketplace. The world is moving faster than ever, and technological innovation is at the center of it all. From generative AI to data-driven automation, change is happening at lightning speed—and business leaders are faced with a choice: embrace it, resist it, or try to strike a balance. Below, 18 Fast Company Executive Board members share how they really feel about the current pace of tech change, and what it means for their industries, their teams, and their leadership mindset.
expert panel
To thrive through disruption, leaders must develop cultures grounded in trust, communication, and purpose. Uncertainty is inevitable in today’s business landscape, thanks to economic volatility, leadership changes, and global disruptions. But while instability can rattle even the strongest organizations, resilient cultures rise above the noise. The foundation for resilience is laid long before a crisis hits through clear values, transparent leadership, and strong interpersonal trust. To understand how today’s executives create adaptable, cohesive, and confident teams in unpredictable times, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share their top strategies for cultivating resilience across their organizations.
expert panel
If given the chance to start over, these are the moves seasoned entrepreneurs say they’d make to build their businesses differently today. Hindsight can be a powerful teacher, especially for entrepreneurs who’ve weathered the highs and lows of building a business from the ground up. From financial decisions and branding strategies to selecting the right partners and saying “no” sooner, many business leaders have learned what they’d do differently if they had the chance to start fresh. To that end, Fast Company Executive Board members reflect on those hard-earned lessons and share the changes they’d make if they were launching their companies today. Here's how they've used what they've learned as a valuable roadmap for building stronger, more resilient companies.
Company details
Novakid Inc
Company bio
Novakid empowers children to confidently communicate in a global world through personalised, immersive English learning experiences that are fun, effective and accessible. An award-winning online English platform, Novakid offers full-immersion language learning for children aged 2–14. Their unique methodology combines 1:1 live lessons with certified native or near-native teachers, group speaking practice in small groups with children from different countries, gamified content, and self-learning apps, all of which have been designed to prepare children for future academic, career, and travel opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world. Every Novakid lesson is tailored to a child’s pace, level, and interests. The expert-designed curriculum, aligned with CEFR standards, develops language and cognitive skills through storytelling, games, and real-time conversation, complementing what children learn in school and encouraging natural fluency. With interactive, play-based content including the free Novakid Junior app for younger learners, children stay engaged while learning English in a safe, ad-free, scam-free, and bully-free environment. Trusted by over 800,000 families in 50+ countries, Novakid is rated 4.7/5 on Trustpilot, with over 90% parental satisfaction. Parents value Novakid’s transparency, flexible pricing plans (including sibling discounts and a 45-day satisfaction guarantee), and measurable results powered by AI-driven progress tracking and assessments. Lessons can be booked anytime, and children have 24/7 access to games and activities, all from the comfort of home.