Ivan Turkovic, Developer in London, United Kingdom
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Ivan Turkovic

Verified Expert  in Engineering

CTO Developer

Location
London, United Kingdom
Toptal Member Since
June 19, 2015

Ivan is a geek, visionary, startup enthusiast, occasional tech blogger, software developer, and entrepreneur based in London. He has no use for mediocrity and won't settle for average. He's been known to stay up all night thinking about how he can be truly exceptional at what he does. You might call this a positive trait or competitive spirit, but he calls it passion.

Full-stackCTOSaaS DesignSoftware as a Service (SaaS)SaaSBitcoinCordovaFintech ConsultantCryptocurrencySQLMicroservicesJavaScriptRuby on Rails (RoR)RubyCSSMEAN StackIonicBraintreeHybrid AppPrototype

Portfolio

Forbes Media - Q.ai - Main
Ruby, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Heroku, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Apex, APEX Code...
Mobilize
Ruby on Rails API, SQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microservices, Heroku...
Stealth Fintech Company
SQL, Microservices Architecture, Microservices, APIs, AngularJS, PostgreSQL...

Experience

JavaScript - 15 yearsRuby on Rails (RoR) - 14 yearsRuby - 14 yearsCTO - 9 yearsBlockchain - 5 yearsTypeScript - 5 yearsReact - 5 yearsRust - 2 years

Availability

Part-time

Preferred Environment

Ruby, Amazon Web Services (AWS), React, Bash, Git, Sublime Text, Linux, MacOS

The most amazing...

...thing I've created was a distributed printing service with remote physical printing terminals with touchscreen that runs a web app on server and client sides.

Work Experience

Interim CTO

2020 - 2021
Forbes Media - Q.ai - Main
  • Hired to take over project pre-MVP phase that had issues with the old team as they never managed to complete the MVP.
  • Built a new team and organized to build public beta in four months since joining.
  • Created a microservice that properly processed and assigned trades based on AI recommendations to each user, taking care of rebalancing and the ability to apply multiple strategies per user.
  • Prepared, deployed, and maintained full DevOps flow.
Technologies: Ruby, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Heroku, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Apex, APEX Code, Batch Apex, SaaS, Architecture, Architectural Patterns, Software Architecture, SaaS Design, Software as a Service (SaaS), API Architecture, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Patterns, EventBus, Leadership, Separation of Concerns (SoC), Serverless Architecture, AWS Cloud Architecture

Consultant

2019 - 2020
Mobilize
  • Took over the project when there were a lot of performance issues and code complexity that caused data inconsistencies. I cleaned up the existing code and optimized the performance of the responses.
  • Improved the scalability capacities for sending a mass amount of dynamic emails. Internal product has custom tags that generate unique email content for each user, and then there is a system to send a daily digest of notifications.
  • Owned the preparation and built the transition from Heroku to the AWS platform. I used Terraform and Circle CI with over 25 AWS services and products. I managed to perform the full transition with a large user base successfully.
  • Built internal Ruby-based testing performance templates that generated JMeter templates that could run periodically and test the external API calls. It added additional complexity logic that the current JMeter lacks.
  • Cleaned up and optimized SQL queries for PostgreSQL. For the more complex ones, I wrote raw SQL sentences.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails API, SQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microservices, Heroku, AngularJS, Angular, React, Node.js, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Full-stack, Next.js, Trading Systems, SaaS, Architectural Patterns, Software Architecture, Separation of Concerns (SoC), Serverless Architecture, AWS Cloud Architecture, Legacy Code

Interim CTO

2018 - 2019
Stealth Fintech Company
  • Architected a new blockchain platform.
  • Supported additional safety features that protect users privacy.
  • Supported integration with multiple existing payment gateways.
Technologies: SQL, Microservices Architecture, Microservices, APIs, AngularJS, PostgreSQL, Bitcoin, Ruby, Node.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), React, Python, JavaScript, Go, Blockchain, Full-stack, CTO, SaaS, Architecture, Architectural Patterns, Software Architecture, AWS Cloud Architecture

Chief Architect

2017 - 2018
Engineer.ai
  • Built and managed teams directly, while planning each product as a project.
  • Architected the whole company ecosystem of internal and external products and services. Defined specifications and prepared project plans.
  • Worked hands-on on more complex areas of the technology that involved tight integration, payments, and potential performance bottlenecks.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails API, Heroku, SQL, Microservices Architecture, Microservices, APIs, PostgreSQL, Bitcoin, Ruby, Node.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), React, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Android, iOS, JavaScript, Angular, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Full-stack, CTO, SaaS, Architecture, Architectural Patterns, Software Architecture, Separation of Concerns (SoC), Serverless Architecture, AWS Cloud Architecture

Architect

2017 - 2018
DidItFor.Life (via SD2Labs)
  • Architected software.
  • Implemented payment gateways.
  • Built a complex financial platform.
  • Implemented security and privacy safeguards.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails API, SQL, Microservices Architecture, Microservices, APIs, PostgreSQL, Ruby, Node.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), React, Android, iOS, JavaScript, Angular, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Full-stack, SaaS, Architecture, Architectural Patterns, Software Architecture, AWS Cloud Architecture

Solutions Architect

2017 - 2017
Wrap (via SD2Labs)
  • Built teams and infrastructure.
  • Liaised with clients.
  • Created business process workflows.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails API, SQL, Microservices Architecture, Microservices, APIs, AngularJS, PostgreSQL, Ruby, Node.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Android, iOS, DevOps, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Full-stack, SaaS, Architecture, Architectural Patterns, Software Architecture, AWS Cloud Architecture

Architect

2016 - 2017
Rapaport (via SD2Labs)
  • Gathered requirements.
  • Managed products and handled DevOps.
  • Architected software.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails API, SQL, Microservices, APIs, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Ruby, Node.js, iOS, Android, Angular, Java, C#, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Full-stack, SaaS, Architecture, Architectural Patterns, Software Architecture, AWS Cloud Architecture, Legacy Code

Founder

2013 - 2017
Instaform
  • Developed a lead generation platform.
  • Built a custom editor for forms.
  • Created a REST API for mobile applications.
  • Programmed custom recurring billing with Paymill integration.
  • Followed Agile methodology with Scrum.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails API, SQL, Microservices Architecture, Microservices, APIs, PostgreSQL, Node.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Amazon EC2, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), Capistrano, NGINX, Backbone.js, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Full-stack, SaaS, Software Architecture

Architect

2015 - 2016
Pulsr (via SD2Labs)
  • Architected software.
  • Built teams and mentored team members.
  • Processed large amounts of data.
Technologies: Ruby on Rails API, SQL, APIs, AngularJS, Node.js, Amazon Web Services (AWS), OpenCV, PostgreSQL, Social Media Integration, Requests, HTTP, Goliath, Capistrano, Workers, Messaging, Sidekiq, Cucumber, Specs, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, Full-stack, SaaS, Architecture, Software Architecture, Legacy Code

Consultant

2015 - 2015
Stitch
  • Migrated a single-page web application into a cross-platform mobile application wrapped into a PhoneGap application.
  • Added token authentication and CORS support for a cross-platform mobile application.
  • Automated tasks with Gulp task manager.
  • Used Socket.IO for data transfer that behaves as a REST API.
  • Created push notifications for iOS and Android.
  • Streamlined the process of merging web browser features into the mobile application.
Technologies: Heroku, SQL, APIs, PostgreSQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Socket.IO, Push Notifications, Gulp, MongoDB, Node.js, JavaScript, PhoneGap, SaaS, Software Architecture

Consultant

2015 - 2015
Farm4Trade
  • Developed a single-page application as a trading platform for animals.
  • Developed a REST API together with token authentication for mobile devices and front-end application.
  • Developed messaging features for a cross-platform application with AngularJS and Ionic framework.
  • Created a deployment process with Chef to the Linode VPS instance with Git hooks for deployment.
  • Deployed the iOS application to the App Store.
  • Managed and led the development process with another developer.
  • Applied Scrum techniques to the development process.
Technologies: SQL, APIs, AngularJS, PostgreSQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Ionic, PhoneGap, Cordova, Social Media, Live Chat, Socket.IO, Jasmine, Karma, Chef, Node.js, Angular, Express.js, MEAN Stack, SaaS, Software Architecture

Consultant

2013 - 2014
IFAD (A Specialized Agency of the UN)
  • Developed a webcasting platform for broadcasting live streams of meetings.
  • Built an editor for editing templates required for different events.
  • Programmed a platform for internal/external communication between various organizations.
  • Created new gem Stradivari from the latter project that handles the table generation with filtering and sorting.
  • Migrated an old project from J2EE into a new web application to organize call logs and internal communication between different agency members and external oganizations.
  • Introduced full integration testing coverage for the projects with Cucumber.
  • Developed real-time chat communication with push capability.
Technologies: SQL, APIs, PostgreSQL, Social Media, Live Chat, Streaming, Capistrano, Sidekiq, Cucumber, JavaScript, Ruby, Ruby on Rails (RoR), SaaS, Software Architecture, Legacy Code

Consultant

2013 - 2013
Netis
  • Created Foerch field salesman ordering system.
  • Developed an iOS application for offline ordering.
  • Optimized core data storage to work with 60k+ products for filtering and searching in offline mode.
  • Developed mobile integration with the existing ERP system.
  • Prepared deployment with Capistrano.
Technologies: e-SLOG XML Ordering Schema, JBoss, Microsoft SQL Server, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Ruby on Rails (RoR), JRuby, AFNetworking, RestKit, Core Data, iOS, SaaS, Software Architecture

Consultant

2013 - 2013
Global Currency Partners
  • Parsed data for foreign currencies from a third-party API.
  • Optimized MySQL server for 120 million currency pairs.
  • Developed a stock widget for displaying currency pairs.
  • Developed a caching process to retrieve required data for any currency pair in any timespan for over 14 years of live trading data under 0.5s.
  • Developed aysnc workers for importing and processing currency data.
Technologies: PostgreSQL, MySQL Server, Linode, Sidekiq, Capistrano, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Ruby on Rails (RoR), Ruby, SaaS

Co-founder and CTO

2012 - 2013
Babberly (previously Jabberly)
  • Created a platform that merges coupons with social networks.
  • Developed an interactive map editor for the merchants.
  • Built a subscription-based payment process.
  • Automated the process for new merchant sign-up.
  • Deployed to AWS with Capistrano.
Technologies: SQL, APIs, PostgreSQL, Bitcoin, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Memcached, MySQL, Ruby, iOS, HTML5, jQuery, Cucumber, RSpec, JavaScript, Sass, Haml, Ruby on Rails (RoR), CTO, Architecture

Consultant

2012 - 2012
NeonRoots
  • Developed a custom CMS for FlipFilms.
  • Created the Village Screening web app.
  • Sliced graphics into HTML content.
  • Set up server platforms.
  • Prepared deployment process with Capistrano.
Technologies: SQL, APIs, PostgreSQL, Ruby, Heroku, MySQL, HTML5, jQuery, Backbone.js, Cucumber, RSpec, JavaScript, Sass, Compass, Haml, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

Lead Developer

2012 - 2012
Hipscan
  • Developed a QR code generator.
  • Built a custom templating editor.
  • Created recurring based payments for Servage.net.
  • Developed a REST API for a mobile application.
  • Programmed an iOS application.
  • Deployed to the iOS app store.
  • Deployed with Capistrano.
  • Managed and led other developers on the project.
Technologies: SQL, APIs, PostgreSQL, Amazon Web Services (AWS), MySQL, Ruby, iOS, HTML5, Prototype Framework, Cucumber, RSpec, JavaScript, Compass, Sass, Haml, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

Consultant

2011 - 2011
Valobox
  • Developed a caching platform for a book as documents, applied different strategies based on what content the user bought.
  • Created a REST API communication with the billing server.
Technologies: APIs, PostgreSQL, Ruby, Redis, Amazon, CouchDB, CSS3, HTML5, Cucumber, RSpec, Sinatra, CoffeeScript, Sass, Haml, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

Founder

2011 - 2011
Kuponcki
  • Created a web scraper for local group coupon sites.
  • Developed a portal for filtering available coupons.
  • Set up the deployment process.
  • Developed async workers for data processing.
  • Followed Agile principles with Scrum.
  • Released to iOS App Store.
Technologies: Android, iOS, jQuery, CoffeeScript, Amazon, Cucumber, RSpec, Backbone.js, Moustache.js, Haml, Sass, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

CTO

2010 - 2011
Printbox
  • Updated the platform architecture as this was a spinoff project from Cloudomat.
  • Created a printing terminal that connects to a cloud storage server.
  • Created a Ruby library that communicates with a CUPS server.
  • Integrated payment with mobile phones or cash.
  • Developed a light web app for the client's terminals. The printing terminal had a full screen touch-enabled web application running.
  • Managed and led other developers on the project.
Technologies: MongoDB, C, Ruby, jQuery, JavaScript, Haml, Sass, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

Lead Developer

2010 - 2011
Cloudomat.com
  • Planned and architected the service.
  • Designed a scalable cloud storage architecture.
  • Developed a distributed system for cloud printing with cloud storage.
  • Created a live video streaming feature.
  • Built a full API support for external services.
  • Managed and led other developers on the project.
Technologies: Memcached, MySQL, MongoDB, C, jQuery, JavaScript, Haml, Sass, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

Co-founder and Senior Developer

2009 - 2010
Instacart
  • Created the architecture for the project.
  • Set up the platform for the server.
  • Created an MVP iOS application.
  • Prepared web scrapers.
  • Deployed with Capistrano.
  • Released to Android & iOS app stores.
Technologies: iOS, MySQL, JavaScript, Haml, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

Co-founder and Senior Developer

2008 - 2010
OdpiralniČasi
  • Developed web scraper for extracting data about local opening hours.
  • Involved in iOS application and REST communication layer with the server.
  • Developed a REST API and authentication API for data access from mobile devices.
  • Applied a TDD testing approach to existing code.
  • Involved in server maintenance and administration.
  • Released to Android and iOS app stores.
Technologies: Android, iOS, CSS, HTML, Test-driven Development (TDD), JavaScript, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

Senior Developer

2008 - 2009
LiveCLIQ
  • Created communication for a streaming platform for real-time broadcasting.
  • Applied full test coverage of the code.
  • Developed a web platform for streaming videos.
  • Involved in the development of an iOS application for video streaming before the official iOS SDK was available.
  • Developed an authentication module for social services like Facebook and Twitter.
  • Developed social sharing features for major social sites, embedding videos on Facebook.
Technologies: Flash, Symbian, iOS, CSS, HTML, Test-driven Development (TDD), Prototype Framework, JavaScript, Ruby on Rails (RoR)

ERP Analyst

2007 - 2008
Adacta
  • Analyzed new requirements from existing clients.
  • Developed new modules inside Navision accounts.
  • Liaised with a major client on new features.
  • Supported existing projects for upgrades.
  • Migrated data for new clients into Navision format.
  • Created project report templates.
Technologies: Microsoft SQL Server, Navision

Developer

2006 - 2006
Hermes Softlab
  • Extended and supporting an Agilent services for chromatograph devices.
  • Developed a centralized data repository for data from the devices.
  • Supported legacy SQL scripts.
  • Ran testing procedures for specific devices.
  • Managed support for remote teams that were based in Asia.
Technologies: C++, C

Printbox

A printing service. Used Ruby on Rails, CUPS server, Haml, Sass, and Capistrano.

Engineer.ai

http://engineer.ai
AI-assisted platform to build technology projects.

Cloudops

https://www.cloudops.ai/
Intelligent infrastructure services reduce the time spent on tedious maintenance work ranging from AWS migration service (move or copy between availability zones with a one-click machine-managed migration process), backup monitoring, and even autonomous auto-scaling setup.

Builder by Engineer.ai

https://builder.engineer.ai
Builder to easily configure your product requirement to quickly quote and build your products.

DidItFor

Crowdfunding platform for social causes.

Hipscan

A marketing app. Technologies used include Ruby on Rails, Haml, Sass, Compass, JavaScript, RSpec, Cucumber, Prototype, HTML5, iOS, Ruby, and MySQL.

Instaform

A service to create contact forms. Technologies used include Ruby 2.0, Ruby on Rails 4.0, Sidekiq, BDD, Backbone.js, Nginx, Capistrano, AWS, S3, and EC2.

My Currency Transfer

http://www.mycurrencytransfer.com/
Currency transfer and exchange rate comparisons. Technologies used include Ruby 2.0, Rails API 4.0, BDD, Capistrano, Sidekiq messaging and workers, and MySQL.

FlipFilms

A film, TV, music video, and commercial production company. Technologies used include Ruby on Rails, Haml, Compass, Sass, JavaScript, RSpec, Cucumber, Backbone.js, jQuery, HTML5, MySQL, and Heroku.

OdpiralniČasi

http://www.odpiralnicasi.com
A store website. Technologies used include Ruby on Rails, JavaScript, CSS, HTML, Ruby, TDD, and iOS.

Farm4Trade

http://farm4trade.com/
A mobile platform to connect farmers and breeders to improve farming production and trading systems. Used the MEAN stack (MongoDB, Express, AngularJS, and Node.js), Ionic framework, Chef, Redis, and PhoneGap.

Instaform

https://www.instaform.co
A SaaS service for building interactive forms for websites. It is easy to embed to any static website or integration with a web application and it stores submissions that can be converted into leads.
It has support for agencies that they can delegate forms to their clients to view the submissions while they take care of the technical side.

Languages

SQL, JavaScript, Sass, SCSS, Ruby, HTML5, CSS, HTML, Solidity, TypeScript, Scala, Python, Objective-C, Swift, Rust, WASM, Bash, Haml, C, JRuby, CSS3, C++, C#, Java, Go, Erlang, CoffeeScript, Apex, APEX Code

Frameworks

Bootstrap, Ruby on Rails (RoR), PhoneGap, AngularJS, Ionic, Prototype Framework, Express.io, Next.js, Django, Compass, Core Data, RestKit, AFNetworking, Sinatra, Express.js, Angular, Jasmine, React Native

Libraries/APIs

Ruby on Rails API, React, React Redux, Twitter API, Stripe, Socket.IO, Node.js, jQuery, Sidekiq, Stripe API, Backbone.js, Google API, Google Maps, Facebook API, Moustache.js, Requests, OpenCV, Braintree API, PayPal API

Tools

Rake, RabbitMQ, RSpec, Sublime Text, Git, Navision, Flash, Cucumber, NGINX, Capistrano, Chef, Karma, Goliath, Grunt, Solr, Gulp, Batch Apex

Paradigms

Microservices, Microservices Architecture, MEAN Stack, Design Patterns, API Architecture, Serverless Architecture, Test-driven Development (TDD), DevOps, Agile Software Development, REST, Behavior-driven Development (BDD), Scrum

Platforms

Blockchain Platforms, iOS, MacOS, DigitalOcean, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Heroku, Blockchain, Ethereum, Linux, Symbian, Android, Amazon, Amazon EC2, JBoss, Linode, Ubuntu, Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Storage

MongoDB, Sphinx Search Engine, Redis, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, Memcached, Amazon S3 (AWS S3), MySQL Server, CouchDB, NoSQL

Other

APIs, Full-stack, Cryptocurrency, Cryptocurrency Development, Bitcoin, SaaS, Cordova, Hybrid Apps, Front-end Development, MEAN Stack Developer, Blockchain & Cryptocurrency, Solana, Ethereum Smart Contracts, CTO, Non-fungible Tokens (NFT), Smart Contracts, Fintech Consultant, Architecture, Architectural Patterns, Software Architecture, SaaS Design, Software as a Service (SaaS), Leadership, Separation of Concerns (SoC), Legacy Code, Payment Gateways, WebSockets, Distributed Systems, Cloud Architecture, Cloud Patterns, EventBus, AWS Cloud Architecture, Push Notifications, e-SLOG XML Ordering Schema, Streaming, Live Chat, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Specs, Messaging, Workers, HTTP, Social Media Integration, BrainTree, PayPal, Ajax, OAuth

Industry Expertise

Trading Systems, Social Media

2004 - 2010

Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer and Information Science

University of Ljubljana - Ljubljana

2008 - 2009

Partially Completed Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Economics

University of Ljubljana - Ljubljana, Slovenia

2007 - 2007

Exchange Program, Part of a Potential Degree in Business and Marketing

Luleå University of Technology - Luleå, Sweden

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