William Liu

William Liu is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Sanlo, a fintech startup specializing in monetization and financial tools tailored for game developers and companies. He co-founded Sanlo in 2020 alongside CEO Olya Caliujnaia. The company positions itself as a platform aiming to simplify the business and financial operations of the gaming industry, providing developers with tools such as webshops and payment solutions that help circumvent costly app store fees and streamline revenue generation.

With over 15 years of experience, Liu has held pivotal engineering leadership roles across both fintech and gaming sectors. Notable prior positions include senior engineering and technology leadership roles at Branch International, Earnest, and Electronic Arts, reflecting a deep expertise at the intersection of financial technology and interactive entertainment.

Sanlo’s value proposition—under Liu’s technical leadership—centers on delivering a fintech platform that empowers mobile game developers to gain better financial insights, direct access to capital, and efficient management of revenue streams. The company notably secured $3.5 million in seed funding in 2021, followed by a $13.5 million financing round in 2024, underscoring investor confidence in the platform’s potential and growth trajectory. Furthermore, Sanlo launched its closed beta webshop tool in early 2024, enabling developers to create direct-to-consumer storefronts, bypassing traditional app store revenue-sharing models.

Liu’s educational background includes a Master of Engineering in Computer Software Engineering from The University of Huddersfield (2001–2006). This technical foundation supports his track record of building scalable engineering teams and delivering complex fintech and gaming technology products. His LinkedIn presence also highlights his role as a tech enthusiast focused on applying advanced engineering practices to propel fintech innovation specifically for the gaming industry.

Liu actively contributes to Sanlo’s external thought leadership through platforms like VentureBeat, and internally he leads strategic product development initiatives such as the "Story Mode by Sanlo" interview series, launched in late 2023, which explores influential narratives in the gaming and fintech space.

In sum, William Liu combines deep fintech and gaming technical expertise with strategic product leadership to drive Sanlo’s mission of making financial tools more accessible and effective for game developers. His experience with prior global tech companies, his academic credentials, and his ongoing involvement in fintech gaming innovation position him as a key technical and visionary leader within Sanlo’s rapidly evolving ecosystem.