ReferOn Leadership Completes Management Buyout to Drive AI Expansion

by Dimitri Dimitrov Published on May 11, 2026
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ReferOn, the high-growth affiliate management platform, has transitioned into a fully independent entity following a successful management buyout (MBO) led by Alex Bukin.

ReferOn, the high-growth affiliate management platform, has transitioned into a fully independent entity following a successful management buyout (MBO) led by Alex Bukin.

Bukin, who has stepped in as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, now holds full ownership of the Cyprus-headquartered firm, signaling a strategy to keep decision-making within the core team that built the software.

Internal Promotions and Rapid Scale

Alongside the buyout, ReferOn announced a series of key leadership changes. Vlad Bondarenko has been elevated to Chief Product Officer, while David Harris takes on the role of Chief Operations Officer. These appointments come after a prolific first year for the platform.

Launched in 2023, ReferOn reported handling 35.7 million clicks and 2.4 million registrations in its first 12 months. The network has expanded to include 18,000 affiliates and over 136,000 active trackers, proving that ReferOn has achieved the scale necessary to compete in the crowded B2B technology market.

Future Focus: AI and Crypto Integration

Under the new ownership, ReferOn is doubling down on technical innovation. The company recently introduced the Evolution Cohort analytics framework, which allows operators to analyze user behavior with granular detail.

The firm is also expanding its AI-driven reporting tools and crypto payment capabilities to meet the modern demands of global iGaming operators. Bukin described the MBO as the beginning of a “new stage,” where long-term growth and product refinement are the primary goals.

As the industry faces increasing pressure from changing regulations and rising player acquisition costs, ReferOn’s lean, leadership-led structure is designed for agility. While the competition in Cyprus remains fierce, ReferOn’s team is focused on holding onto the massive momentum generated during its launch phase.

The buyout ensures that the platform’s development roadmap remains unencumbered by outside interests as they navigate the next phase of the affiliate tech evolution.

Dimitri Dimitrov

Dimitri is an iGaming expert with nearly a decade of experience and a knack for crafting content that speaks directly to the iGaming crowd. He understands affiliate marketing, player psychology, and search algorithms, which enables him to write engaging, data-driven articles.

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