A Conversation With Michael Georgiou, Co-founder of Imaginovation

Today, we’re excited to introduce Michael, the inspiring leader behind Imaginovation. From overcoming early challenges to shaping one of TechBehemoths’ top agencies, his story shows how resilience and passion can turn an idea into a lasting impact.

Discover how Michael and his team grew a two-man startup into a global digital powerhouse — and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

Welcome to TechBehemoths, Michael! To kick things off, tell us a bit about yourself—like your childhood, education, and how you've developed professionally.

I was born in London and then moved to Cyprus, and then moved to Toronto before finally settling in Raleigh, North Carolina. Growing up, I never really fit the mold. I was kind-hearted, a little sensitive, and faced a lot of bullying—especially during my younger years. Verbal bullying, cultural transitions, and even small learning challenges made me feel like an outsider. But those hardships taught me something priceless: perseverance.

My journey wasn't straight into tech. I studied marketing and communications, earning a master's degree in Business Communications from Bond University in Australia. Early in my career, I worked in sales and marketing—learning the grind firsthand. I’ve always been drawn to human connection, branding, storytelling, and helping people grow and become better. It wasn’t until around 2011 that I considered entrepreneurship. My now brother-in-law and I decided to bootstrap a business—starting with no clients, no funding, just grit, Craigslist ads, and late-night hustle.

Professionally, I’ve evolved and did my best to improve through every season with hard work, determination, and self-awareness — and wearing every hat imaginable. But what’s been constant is a people-first mindset and a hunger to build solutions that truly matter.

What’s the story of how you started Imaginovation? What motivated you and your team to start this journey?

Imaginovation was founded in 2011 in Raleigh, North Carolina, during the recovery of the 2008 economic crisis. I had just completed my Master’s in Business Communications in Australia, returned home, and found myself struggling to land a job for seven months. Instead of waiting, I partnered with my future brother-in-law, Pete Peranzo, and we decided to build something from nothing. No funding, no outside investors — just grit, late nights, Craigslist ads, and a passion to help others bring their tech ideas to life.

What started as a two-man operation turned into a multi-million dollar agency that’s been serving startups and enterprises for over a decade. But we were resourceful and committed, and every small win gave us the confidence to keep going.

In the early years of Imaginovation, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you manage to overcome them?

The early years were brutal. Without funding or a network, we had to grind for every lead and dollar. One of our biggest challenges was credibility—convincing clients to trust a new agency with no track record and very little to show. On top of that, we were navigating projects while also learning the business side in real-time.

We were rejected constantly, and it was mentally exhausting. But we stayed the course. We got creative. We stayed up late writing hundreds of Craigslist ads and emails, managing projects during the day and hustling at night. We focused heavily on building relationships and doing right by our clients—even when it wasn’t profitable—because we knew long-term trust was more valuable than short-term wins.

We also learned to ask better questions, become better listeners, and never stop iterating. That’s still in our DNA today.

With over 13 years at Imaginovation, what’s been the most exciting project for you, and what made it truly special?

One of the most exciting and rewarding projects we’ve worked on is a platform called Everflex, built for a company called Movement for Life. It was one of those rare projects where the client’s vision aligned perfectly with our strengths—and they trusted us fully to bring it to life.

Everflex is a comprehensive patient engagement and telehealth platform for physical therapy clinics. We built it completely from scratch—from strategy and wireframes to development, testing, and launch. It challenged us in all the right ways—complex integrations, strict security needs, and real-world impact.

But what made it truly special was the partnership. Great products are born when trust and collaboration flow both ways. With Movement for Life, we didn’t just “build a thing”—we co-created something meaningful. That level of collaboration doesn’t happen every day, and it reminded us that the best software is always a team sport.

Since Imaginovation is leading the charge in AI, IoT, and blockchain, how do you see these technologies growing, and what excites you the most about their future?

The most exciting thing about these technologies is their power to solve real-world problems when applied with intention. AI, for example, is transforming the way we look at automation, predictive analytics, and even mental health tools. IoT is revolutionizing smart infrastructure and connected health, while blockchain is starting to find its footing beyond crypto—especially in transparency and supply chain verification.

But what excites me most is using these tools responsibly. We’re not interested in chasing buzzwords. We focus on applying emerging tech in a way that aligns with our clients’ goals, culture, and long-term vision. Tech is powerful—but only when it's human-centered and thoughtfully executed.

MagicTask combines task management with gamification. How did this idea come about, and how does it align with your mission to drive innovation and make a real impact?

MagicTask was born out of frustration. We were using clunky tools that killed momentum. So we built something that felt light, fast, and rewarding. The idea was simple: if we can make productivity feel like a game — where completing tasks is fun and motivating — we could unlock a new level of team engagement.

It perfectly aligns with our mission: blend innovation with usability, and never lose sight of the human at the center of every product.

Hosting 'Tales from the PROS' has allowed you to meet incredible leaders. Reflecting on your conversations, what’s one piece of advice or insight from a guest that has profoundly impacted you?

One guest who really stuck with me is David Meltzer. He lost everything, rebuilt from the ground up, and now lives by this mantra: give more than you take and operate with radical intention.

It resonated deeply. In our industry — where overpromising is rampant — leading with honesty, value, and intention is rare. That’s the kind of leadership I aspire to and the culture we’re building at Imaginovation.

What strategies have you used to build and maintain long-lasting relationships with customers? How do these relationships contribute to Imaginovation’s success?

We’re a U.S.-born company with a global development footprint, and that combination has become our strength. We blend American business values—clarity, accountability, and empathy—with the scale and talent of a global team we’ve built carefully over time.

But differentiation goes beyond operations. We approach every client relationship with an aligned mindset. We don’t treat your project as a task to complete—we treat it as a story we’re building together. We obsess over your outcomes, not just your outputs.

Our culture is human-first. We listen deeply. We ask better questions. We tell the truth, even when it’s hard. And we show up like it’s our own business—every time. That level of care, strategy, and follow-through is rare, and it’s why our clients stick with us.We treat every product like it’s our own — and that builds trust. But it’s more than just delivering great code. We show up with empathy, clarity, and consistency. We listen closely. We don’t disappear after launch. And we always prioritize transparency.

Our clients know we’re in it for the long haul — and that kind of trust creates referrals, repeat business, and partnerships that grow over time.

You’re a huge Tottenham Hotspur fan and enjoy salsa and bachata dancing. How do these hobbies help you relax, and have they influenced your creative style in your work or leadership?

Absolutely. These passions have shaped me far beyond just being hobbies — they’ve impacted how I lead, how I connect, and even how I found the love of my life.

Dancing, especially salsa and bachata, has taught me the power of presence and flow. You can’t lead on the dance floor without rhythm, emotional connection, and awareness of your partner — and I’ve carried those lessons into how I lead my team and work with clients. It’s a reminder that leadership isn’t just about direction — it’s about trust, timing, and connection.

In fact, one of the most life-changing moments happened at a bachata social — where I met my beautiful wife. She's been the most inspiring and grounding person in my life. Her love, strength, and support have helped shape the man and leader I am today. And now, we have the joy of raising our beautiful baby boy together — which has brought even deeper meaning and perspective to everything I do. As for Tottenham… they’ve taught me how to stay hopeful, humble, and passionate — even when things don’t go your way. That level of perseverance and belief has been a core part of my journey as an entrepreneur. Whether it’s on the pitch or in business, you’ve got to keep showing up with heart.

If you could go back to the start of your career, what’s one thing you would do differently?

If I could go back, I’d trust my instincts sooner—and give myself permission to let go earlier. In the beginning, I felt like I had to do everything myself: sales, project management, marketing, even support. It came from a good place—wanting to ensure quality—but it held us back.

What I didn’t realize then was that real leadership isn’t about doing more. It’s about empowering others. Once I started delegating with trust, building up a leadership team, and creating clear ownership across the company, everything changed. Our growth accelerated, our culture became stronger, and I found more joy in the journey.

Looking back, I’d tell my younger self: you’re not supposed to carry it all—build with people who lift with you.

Lastly, what message would you like to share with budding entrepreneurs or companies looking to collaborate with Imaginovation?

To the entrepreneurs out there — you don’t have to do this alone. Building something meaningful is hard enough without the weight of misaligned partners or short-term thinkers.

At Imaginovation, we’re not just here to write code. We’re here to co-create, challenge assumptions, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you through every stage of your journey. Whether you’re starting with an idea or scaling a complex platform, your vision deserves more than a vendor — it deserves a true partner.

Build with people who care like it’s their own. Build with clarity, with trust, and with intention. That’s how you create something that lasts.

Imaginovation is one of the leading companies on TechBehemoths. If you like this interview and think that Michael and his team can help your business, don't hesitate to contact them via TechBehemoths or discover the agency on social media: LinkedIn.