Pomegranate Seed — Five Years Later
A return to optimistically cynical rambles on society, economics, and politics from around the world.
I started Pomegranate Seed five years ago, in the hopeful afterglow of Armenia’s Velvet Revolution. Back then, I was wide-eyed, scribbling thoughts on remittances, revolutions, and what it means for a small country to stand on its own. My first post was this very rough draft of hope: Without remittances, can Armenia grow?
Five years later — unequivocally — the answer is yes.
In one of my favorite essays — Smart Economy: Armenia’s Future — I argued that Armenia’s strength will come not from replicating others’ models, but by building an economy designed for its scale, resilience, and creativity. A smart economy. Rooted in innovation, powered by global networks, and unafraid to leapfrog the broken systems it inherited.
That piece wasn’t just a reflection. It was a manifesto — and in many ways, it’s become my life’s roadmap. Since then, my work has taken me across boardrooms, factory floors, space missions, and start-up war rooms. But the mission hasn’t changed. Armenia’s future — and the future of other small, underestimated nations — still depends on ideas like these. This is the journey I’m on, and for as long as I breathe, I’ll stay on it.
From Rambler to Operator
Since January 2023, I’ve been a little quieter on here — but louder in the real world — and I’m proud of that. I’ve spent the last two years building systems, ventures, and institutions that bring ideas to life.
Senior Investment Manager at Maersk – At one of the world’s largest logistics companies, I lead investment strategy for North America Contract Logistics. I help shape the future of supply chains — overseeing 85 warehousing facilities across 22.5 million square feet, and directing multimillion-dollar investments in cold storage, energy transition, and cross-border fulfillment. The decisions I make directly impact the movement of goods for giants like Amazon, Nike, Macy’s, Honda, and Levi’s — the infrastructure behind the everyday economy.
Co-founded Kartes Analytica – I helped launch Kartes Analytica, a geospatial intelligence company building the APIs and infrastructure to make satellite data usable by everyday developers. We proudly became the first private company to hold a Space Activities License in Armenia. Our platform is helping governments and commercial clients unlock insights from Earth Observation data — whether for environmental monitoring, defense, or disaster response.
Rooted in Armenia — Always: My commitment to Armenia has never been a side project. I co-founded FC Vayk, a professional football club that’s not only developing local youth talent but also competing on the European stage — including the UEFA Regions’ Cup. And through my role as Director of Operations for Friends of Teach for Armenia, I helped launch Armenia’s first educational endowment fund, designed to provide long-term support for over 50,000 public school students every single year. This is systems change, not charity.
And alongside all of that, 2025 marks two major personal transitions:
It’s my final official year as a Scout Leader for AGBU Pasadena-Glendale Troop 86— a role that shaped me deeply, where I had the privilege to guide, serve, and hike alongside the next generation.
And, after years of life and love, I get to say “I do” to my incredible fiancée. That alone is enough to make this year unforgettable.
Why I’m Writing Again
Because the world didn’t get any less absurd — and because I still believe in the power of hopeful rants, critical curiosity, and writing that doesn’t neatly fit into boxes.
So yes, I’m still “optimistically cynical.”
The world remains full of contradictions — between innovation and inertia, revolution and bureaucracy, war and peace. Pomegranate Seed was never meant to offer clean solutions. It was always a place to question power, peel back systems, and think out loud.
And I’m ready to do that again.
What Comes Next
You can expect more posts soon — essays that span from cold chain logistics to Armenian football, from technology and security policy to geopolitical rants about broken institutions. Sometimes they’ll be sharp, sometimes sincere, sometimes completely unnecessary. But they’ll be mine.
If you’ve followed this project from the beginning: thank you.
If you’re new here: welcome.
And if you’re just here for the drama: I don’t blame you.
Let’s see what grows from this seed.
— Armand Nareg