---
title: "Slav Ben-Ari"
description: "Driving operational excellence | R&D management | Founder @Geniuses Recruiting"
url: "https://www.slavba.com/"
---

## About

I have spent over 15 years working in R&D and Operations, focusing on the practical side of building and supporting technical teams across several countries, including Israel, Georgia, Belarus, and Poland. Much of my work has involved helping teams interpret and implement complex operational and legal requirements, ensuring a smooth connection between strategy and daily execution.

I've been involved in setting up new operations, such as launching an R&D site in Tbilisi, Georgia. My roles have included the operational aspects of site management, budget oversight, and navigating local compliance with employment laws. I believe in continuous improvement and leveraging tools like AI workflow automation and no-code platforms (n8n, Activepieces) to make HR, recruiting, and core business processes more efficient for everyone involved.

My earlier legal background provides a valuable perspective for compliance work, particularly in roles where I've served as a link between legal and technical colleagues. I aim to contribute to creating efficient, legally sound, and positive working environments where technical talent can develop and succeed.

## Experience

[Geniuses Recruiting](https://www.geniuses.ge/) | Founder | 2024 – Present

Rakuten Viber | R&D Director/Operations | 2021 – 2024

ePlane | VP R&D | 2019 – 2021

ePlane | R&D Manager | 2016 – 2019

Music Lab | R&D Manager | 2013 – 2016

Soluto | Automation Team Lead | 2008 – 2013

Microsoft | QA Engineer | 2007 – 2008

## Education

The Open University of Israel | Computer Science | 2007 – 2009

Tel Aviv University | LL.B., Law | 1998 – 2002

## Projects

[Niles](/niles.html) – A personal AI assistant on Telegram for reminders, calendars, weather, and daily briefings

[Niffler](/niffler.html) – AI-powered candidate sourcing pipeline that turns weeks of manual recruiter work into hours

## Guest Speaker Appearances

[Change Inspire 2024](https://changeinspire.ge/#speakers), the largest tech conference in Georgia

[57th ADB annual meeting](https://www.adb.org/annual-meeting/2024/events/georgia-seminar-day4) in Georgia, Gateway to Growth panel

## Media Appearances

[Marketer.ge](https://www.marketer.ge/fabrika-contract-products/) – Quoted on strategic office design choices at Rakuten Viber

[Commersant.ge](https://commersant.ge/news/busuness/saertashoriso-kompania-vaiberi-saqartveloshi-tavis-platformas-afartoebs-da-saintereso-siakhleebit-pozitsionirdeba-bazarze) – Interviewed on Rakuten Viber's expansion plans in Georgia

[Rustavi2](https://rustavi2.ge/en/news/225681) – Covered Rakuten Viber's new Tbilisi office launch

[Agenda.ge](https://agenda.ge/en/news/2022/944) – Rakuten Viber opens Tbilisi office for mobile application development

[dev.by](https://devby.io/news/prodam-krylo-ot-samolyota-nedorogo-kak-v-breste-razrabatyvayut-platformu-dlya-torgovli-aviadetalyami) – Interview on building an aviation parts trading platform in Brest