Geri Kirilova is a Bulgarian-born Managing Partner at Laconia who rose from intern to partner at the same firm—an unusually homegrown VC career path—and combines Eastern European skepticism with New York agency to question assumptions and cut through founder bravado. She brings hands-on operator experience from running a Kweller Prep branch and working with Techstars IoT companies, and is known for her process-driven approach to engineering fundraising momentum and her explicit stance that warm introductions aren't required to engage with her fund. Geri Kirilova is a Bulgarian-born Managing Partner at Laconia who rose from intern to partner at the same firm—an unusually homegrown VC career path—and combines Eastern European skepticism with New York agency to question assumptions and cut through founder bravado. She brings hands-on operator experience from running a Kweller Prep branch and working with Techstars IoT companies, and is known for her process-driven approach to engineering fundraising momentum and her explicit stance that warm introductions aren't required to engage with her fund.