From the felt to philanthropy
Born in Russia and raised in Germany, Igor quickly established himself as one of the most successful high rollers of the decade. With over 18.000.000$ in tournament winnings, he was respected not just for results, but for his analytical mindset and ability to think far beyond the next hand.
While most players were chasing trophies, Igor was asking a different question: How can I use the poker mindset to make the world better? That question led to the founding of Raising for Effective Giving (REG), alongside Liv Boeree. The goal wasn’t just to give – it was to give smart. To direct resources where they could do the most good.
The logic of giving
Effective altruism – the philosophy behind REG – is based on analysis and evidence. Instead of giving based on emotion, it asks: which charities save the most lives per dollar donated? That’s a question any poker player can relate to – it’s a calculation of EV under uncertainty.
Through REG and personal donations, Kurganov helped direct millions of dollars to global health, poverty reduction, and existential risk prevention. That last topic would eventually lead him into even bigger games.
Strategic partnership with Musk
In November 2021, Elon Musk transferred 5.700.000.000$ worth of Tesla stock into the Musk Foundation. Igor Kurganov was one of the key people entrusted to coordinate the distribution of those funds. As a strategic advisor to the foundation, he helped identify grant opportunities in AI safety, global development, and environmental innovation.
Some media even called him the "brains behind Musk’s philanthropy." Igor rarely speaks about that role, but he reportedly served as Chief Strategy Officer – shaping decisions that would affect the future at scale.
Tensions. AI, DeFi and challenges
Behind the scenes, tensions began to rise. Jared Birchall, Musk’s longtime right-hand man, objected to Kurganov’s influence, reportedly seeing him as an outsider without traditional finance experience. The internal conflict led to Musk eventually removing Igor from the foundation. Additional scrutiny followed, including reports that the FBI looked into Kurganov’s background due to his Russian origins, though no wrongdoing was found.
Since stepping back from public life, Kurganov is said to be working on decentralized finance (DeFi) projects while continuing to support causes tied to AI safety and global risk reduction. On his X profile, he recently posted a telling question: “What if AI isn't replacing us, but just redefining what it means to be skilled?”
It perfectly sums up his journey: redefining what it means to be a player, a winner, and a contributor. From the poker table to decisions that may shape the future, Igor has always played the long game.
More than just EV
In poker, every hand, every move, and every percentage point matters. But in real life, value comes in different forms - in the lives we impact, the systems we improve, and the future we help build. Igor Kurganov shows us that the mindset forged at the table can be applied to decisions far beyond the felt.
His story invites a new question: What if the best move in life isn’t made at the table at all?
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Sources – YouTube, PGT, Reg-charity, X, Flickr