Konstantin Sokolov is the founder of IJS Investments, a private equity firm focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and infrastructure. An expert in energy and digital transformation, he founded the Northern Pillar Energy Consortium to connect Europe and Africa with clean energy and high-speed digital connectivity. Previously, he was managing director of strategy and mergers & acquisitions at Centrica PLC and has led major restructuring projects for sovereign wealth funds and central banks. As a key shareholder in VIVA, Armenia’s largest telecom provider, Konstantin has driven its post-acquisition growth, leading to a ~6% rise in operating income and a 30% increase in net profit in 2024. Earlier in his career, he served as director of enterprise architecture at Qwest Communications (now Lumen Technologies), modernizing U.S. government telecom infrastructure. He has advised governments and corporations globally. Konstantin holds a master’s in mathematics and computer science from St. Petersburg State University and an MBA from Chicago Booth.