Novig announces new Chief Product Officer

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Novig, the leading sports prediction market, announced the promotion of Ari Hirsch as the company's first Chief Product Officer. Reporting to co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Kelechi Ukah, Hirsch will oversee product design and engineering, with a focus on elevating the end-to-end member experience, from onboarding and market discovery to trading and withdrawals.

Hirsch joined Novig in February 2023 as a founding engineer and was among the company's first 10 employees. Most recently serving as Head of Engineering, he has played a central role in developing the platform's technology and consumer-facing features. From resolving complex technical challenges and engaging directly with members to leading Novig's product engineering team, Hirsch has helped shape the platform's evolution, including its launch as a federally regulated sports prediction market exchange this August. Prior to joining Novig, Hirsch spent two years at Alinea, where he served as a founding engineer. He is a graduate of Columbia University.

“From day one, we've focused on building a sports trading platform that puts fans first, with fairness, transparency, and a great experience at its core,” said Kelechi Ukah, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Novig. “No one is better suited for the position than Ari, who spends just as much time architecting our product and platform as he does engaging with our members. His technical expertise, commitment to our mission, and relentless optimization of the Novig experience make him the perfect person to drive the product forward in its next phase.”

In his new role, Hirsch will explore new ways for members to engage with the sports they love, building on Novig's position as the premier destination for sports fans. His approach will prioritize a carefully curated trading experience, emphasizing features that deliver meaningful value to members.

"Great products come from teams where everyone takes ownership of what they're building," said Hirsch. “At Novig, design and engineering work hand in hand. We trust our instincts, then use data and member feedback to test our assumptions. It is a privilege to lead a team that constantly challenges itself to improve, with the continued expectation that everything we ship meets the highest standard."