Vel Genov’s Daily Grind

We talk with Vel Genov, the co-founder of Chicago-based Zerno, about his love of tinkering, manufacturing an award winning grinder, and all things coffee. 

When Vel Genov first moved to the United States from Bulgaria, he was firmly rooted in the IT industry. A childhood fascination with computer games had blossomed into a love for all things tech. Encouraged by his parents—who valued curiosity and learning—Vel’s journey into technology started early. They enrolled him in rocket-building courses and chemistry camps, and by the 7th grade, he was already learning to code.

Vel’s father, a fire marshal with a love for math and sci-fi, inspired his son’s imagination and analytical thinking. Summers, however, belonged to his grandparents. In their small Bulgarian village, Vel spent countless hours following his grandfather, a resourceful machinist, as he "built things out of other things." Whether it was repairing tools or creating something entirely new from spare parts, Vel’s grandfather taught him the joy of problem-solving and the satisfaction of making.

After earning a degree in Computer Engineering in Bulgaria, Vel moved to the U.S., completing another degree in Computer Science to deepen his knowledge. He began his career in enterprise networking and later joined Adobe, where his natural curiosity steered him toward product development. Combining his grandfather’s ingenuity and his father’s analytical mindset, Vel developed an enduring passion for solving problems and designing products that just work.

Growing up in Bulgaria, coffee was more than a beverage for Vel—it was a lifestyle. As a teenager, he and his friends spent hours in cafes, sipping espresso and bonding over life’s big and small questions. While coffee initially served as a backdrop for socializing, Vel’s appreciation for the craft of coffee deepened over time.

His love of precision and quality naturally extended to his coffee routine. Vel wasn’t content with off-the-shelf grinders that wore out quickly or couldn’t deliver consistent results. He started wondering: Could he apply his engineering skills and passion for design to create a grinder that combined professional-grade performance with an inviting, user-friendly experience?

And so, Zerno was born. The Zerno Z1 is a single-dose grinder with Micron Precision Stepless Adjustment, crafted with the kind of obsessive attention to detail that reflects Vel’s love for building. Every element, from its sleek, modern design to its barista-level performance, is a testament to his dedication.

What sets the Zerno apart isn’t just its flawless grind quality—it’s the philosophy behind its creation. Inspired by his grandfather’s ability to fix and improve anything, Vel designed the Zerno Z1 to be user-serviceable and endlessly customizable. In an age of planned obsolescence, this approach feels like a breath of fresh air.