Mihailo Bjelic: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Mihailo Bjelic’s Profile Summary

Company	Polygon (POL)
Position	Former board member
Source of wealth	Co-founding Polygon (POL), various AI/ML startups, management and development of blockchain solutions
Also known as	Blockchain researcher, Ethereum proponent, AI/ML entrepreneur
Age	Unknown
Education	University of Belgrade – MSc in Computer Science
Citizenship	Serbian
Residence	Belgrade, Serbia
Family	Publicly available details on Mihailo Bjelic's family are not known.
Website, Social Media	https://polygon.technology/

Biography

Mihailo Bjelic is a Serbian computer scientist and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Polygon, a leading Layer-2 scaling solution for Ethereum. He earned his MSc in Computer Science from the University of Belgrade, where his deep interest in technology and innovation was nurtured. Prior to his involvement in the blockchain sector, Bjelic co-founded an AI and machine learning platform for the automotive industry and several other small startups. His transition into the world of blockchain occurred in 2017 when he began working full-time as a researcher focused on Ethereum scaling solutions and the multi-chain paradigm. Bjelic's significant contributions to the blockchain industry include conceptualizing the architecture and vision for Polygon, which aims to solve Ethereum’s high gas fees and scalability challenges. In 2020, he partnered with the Matic team to develop what is now known as Polygon, a platform that has become a crucial part of the Ethereum ecosystem. Bjelic's work emphasizes the potential of zero-knowledge (ZK) technology and privacy solutions in blockchain, and under his leadership, Polygon has gained traction with over 30,000 applications and millions of users globally

Stepped down from the Polygon Foundation board and wound down day-to-day duties at Polygon Labs in May 2025, continuing to support the project from the sidelines.

How did Mihailo Bjelic make money?

Mihailo Bjelic makes money in the following areas:

Co-founding Polygon (POL), various AI/ML startups, management and development of blockchain solutions
What is Mihailo Bjelic net worth?

As of 2026, there is no publicly available and reliable information regarding Mihailo Bjelic’s net worth.

What is Mihailo Bjelic also known as?

Mihailo Bjelic is recognized for his contributions as a blockchain researcher, particularly focused on Ethereum scaling and multi-chain paradigms. His insights into blockchain technology have made him a prominent advocate for Ethereum, where he actively participates in shaping its future. Prior to his blockchain endeavors, Bjelic co-founded startups in the AI/ML space, demonstrating his versatility in technology-driven industries. His work in zero-knowledge proofs and privacy solutions in Web3 continues to garner attention as part of Polygon’s strategic development

Prominent achievements

Co-founded Polygon (formerly Matic Network), played a significant role in scaling Ethereum, helped develop Polygon into a platform with over 30,000 applications and millions of user wallets, recognized as a leader in blockchain technology, contributed to the launch of Polygon zkEVM

Oversaw Polygon’s growth from a ~$26M market cap in 2019 to over $14B by 2024.

What are Mihailo Bjelic’s key insights?

Mihailo Bjelic's business philosophy revolves around the importance of scalability and accessibility in blockchain technology. He strongly advocates for open-source protocols and is committed to building decentralized, secure, and privacy-centric solutions. His focus is on enhancing Ethereum’s scalability while ensuring inclusivity for developers and users across the world. He values innovation, security, and user empowerment through technological solutions like zero-knowledge proofs

Personal life

Mihailo Bjelic has maintained a private lifestyle, and there is no detailed information available regarding his family

Useful insights

Evaluate the team behind the project

If you’re interested in picking top crypto projects, learning from the experience of successful Crypto developers and Crypto Angel Investors can help you avoid common pitfalls. One of the key elements to consider when evaluating a crypto project is the team behind it. Here’s how to assess it effectively

Research the founders and developers

Crypto Angel Investors often stress the importance of knowing the people behind the project. A credible project usually has a transparent team with a strong background in blockchain technology or relevant industries. Make sure to look into their previous work, LinkedIn profiles, and their reputation in the crypto community.
Look for a track record of success

Many top Crypto Angel Investors, such as Anthony Pompliano, emphasize the value of a team's track record. If the developers or founders have successfully built or contributed to previous projects, it's a positive sign that they know how to deliver. Trustworthy teams are often recognized for their expertise and credibility in the space.
Assess transparency and communication

Good projects maintain transparent communication with their community, often using platforms like GitHub, Twitter, or Discord. If the team regularly updates their followers on milestones, developments, and challenges, it’s usually a sign of reliability. From my experience, projects with open lines of communication are more likely to succeed long-term.