Meet our Team · TechUkraine

Everything about Ukraine’s Tech sector in one place [javascript:void(0);] Changemaker Community About Us Overview Our Initiatives Startup-in-Residence Team Our Services Our Partners Support the platform Become a Partner Donate Contact What’s happening News Blog Events Your Industry in Ukraine Key Industries Challenges Machine Building Creative Ecosystem Maps Dealroom Ecosystem Map 360 Тесh Ecosystem Overview Discover Ukraine Showcases Tech Hubs Kyiv Kharkiv Dnipro Lviv Odesa Mariupol Chernihiv Team TechUkraine is an organization with a European core but global outlook. One lead represents each initiative. The organization has working groups focusing on specific issues defined by the team, opinion leaders of the industry and members of TechUkraine. TechUkraine is a non-governmental organization which aims to be a neutral broker, ecosystem builder, communicator, enabler, and service provider and consists of a Program office, Supervisory Board and General Assembly. The program office is the core of TechUkraine which executes the projects. Office structure: Program Director, Operations team, Leads to initiatives and their team. Some of the initiatives are co-launched with ecosystem partners; some are done as own projects. The objective of Program office: make the initiatives sustainable and have a life of their own. The work of program office is steered by Supervisory Board. Supervisory Board (in progress) advises, supports, guides, represents, empowers TechUkraine. It will be represented by five trusted and respected people of the ecosystem. General Assembly gives ideas about the needs in the ecosystem for the strategy, provides opinions and insights about the work, connects people. Changemaker community constitutes the Assembly. Who is in the team? Strategic Advisors Ruben Nieuwenhuis Strategic Advisor Read more Chair International Advisory Board, Amsterdam Economic Board Director TechConnect , private lead Board Codam Board Growth Tribe Academy Co-founder Cupola XS Co-founder and Board FutureNL Chair Entrepreneurship Master UvA/VU Founder and Board advisor Dutchbasecamp Former Director StartupAmsterdam , private lead [2015 – mid 2018] Ruben is an entrepreneur and now an Entrepreneur in Residence acting as the director of TechConnect, a program spearheaded by the Amsterdam Economic Board. He was the former director of StartupAmsterdam and a driving force in connecting leading Dutch startup initiatives & tech clusters into a catalyst program: StartupDelta. Now he is guiding tech ecosystems around the world to grow stronger and internationally connected. Ruben is an Advisor of TechUkraine project aimed to build the flourishing tech ecosystem in Ukraine. Emilie Verbunt Strategic Advisor Read more Emilie is the Director of DutchBasecamp, a Dutch non-profit organization fully geared towards the international growth of startups and scale-ups and offer internationalisation readiness programmes, masterclasses, coaching, demand-driven trade missions and a Lean Landing network across the globe. Emilie is an Advisor to TechUkraine, aiming to co-build the flourishing tech ecosystem in Ukraine. Emilie’s motto: “ Preparation is key “ Olesya Zaluska Strategic Advisor Read more Olesya has more than ten years of experience in investments and international trade. IT Sector and Creative Industries Export Strategies for 2019-2023 developed under her leading role as Navigator of Export Strategy of Ukraine. For now, Olesya focuses on the promotion of Ukrainian startups through the launching of business incubators, and a $12,5 mln grant program for Ukrainian SMEs and BSOs as Deputy Chief of Party at USAID Competitive Economy Program. Thanks to good connections with both business and public sectors, Olesya will be advising on strategic partnerships at TechUkraine and building bridges locally, and internationally. Olesya’s motto is “Sharing is caring.” Nataliya Mykolska Strategic Advisor Read more Co-founder at SheExports Platform, Co-founder at Brilliant Minds of Stanford & Silicon Valley , video talks Visiting Fellow at Ukrainian Emerging Leaders Program Co-founder and a member of the Supervisory Boards at Trade+ Center with Kyiv School of Economics Ex-Trade Representative – Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine [2015 -2018] Former Head of International Trade Practice, Counsel at Sayenko Kharenko Non-executive member of the Supervisory Board of Ukrhydroenergo, PJSC. Nataliya Mykolska is a visionary, expert on strategic transformation, building bridges between Ukraine and the world. In 2018-2019 she was visiting Fellow of Stanford Ukrainian Emerging Leaders Program with the Stanford Center for Democracy Development and Rule of Law. Before starting her Stanford journey Nataliya was the Trade Representative of Ukraine – Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade. In the government, Mykolska was responsible for developing and implementing consistent, predictable and efficient trade policy. She also was driver of women economic empowerment initiatives within the Government. Before joining the Government Nataliya for 15 years was working in top Ukrainian law firms and was recognized top international trade lawyer in Ukraine. Olga Afanasyeva Internationalization Advisor Olga Shapoval Regional Development Advisor Read more Olga is an expert in management, marketing, and community building, with 15+ years of experience on the TOP-positions in business and non-profit organizations. Olga’s passion is life-long learning, based on a strong foundation of university education in international marketing and finance, and an MBA degree. Working as CEO of Kharkiv IT Cluster since 2018, Olga with the team implemented a lot of projects in education, marketing and charity areas, focused on IT ecosystem building. The «Win-win» philosophy helps Olga to consolidate the IT industry around ambitious projects to develop the environment for technological business. Advisory Board Ivan Pohrebniyak Project Management and Delivery Advisor Read more Ivan brings 11+ years of experience in the Ukrainian IT industry within sales, marketing, software product development and delivery management. He also represents the community of Ukrainians who choose to gain knowledge and experience abroad and then return home to spread that experience further. Ivan brings management experience ranging from public companies to medium size enterprises to start-ups. Currently, Ivan holds a full-time position of Client Delivery Director at Master of Code, an AI conversational design & apps development studio. Ivan will contribute to TechUkraine’s organization in the role of the advisor on Project Management, helping the team to run effective projects’ delivery. Ivan believes that “Any change starts with oneself, by oneself personal example foremost.” Alexandra Govorukha PR Advisor Read more Alexandra has more 15+ years of successful experience in B2B Sales/Marketing/PR of products/services at the biggest IT companies of Ukraine, media houses and innovational park. She will be in charge of building a national network of founders, CEOs and other professionals in tech hubs in Ukraine. Alexandra’s motto is “create value by connecting people and ideas” Inna Stelmakh Portal Creative Advisor Read more Inna has more than 10 years of experience in building & maintaining strong partnerships within different industries (tech startups, co-working spaces, telco, FMCG) across the world. Since 2016, Inna is a co-founder of UTEW Tech Tribe community, which unites more than 3K Tech entrepreneurs and represents Ukraine as a technology country at world tech events. Inna will be in charge of building an international network of (Ukrainian) founders, CEOs and other professionals in tech hubs across the globe. Inna’s motto is “making the world better by building meaningful connections”. Stas Petriv Сommunity and Еvents Advisor Read more Stas is a tech community builder as well as organizer and host of tech events. Over the past couple of years Stas has been involved in developing the ecosystem of tech companies in Ukraine being a part of such projects as iHUB, Global Startup Awards and TechUkraine. Motto: Empowering people and communities. Valerie Kuzmenko Advisor on Corporate Consulting and Partners Management Read more Valerie is a serial entrepreneur, TOP manager, and professional with 20+ years of experience in building strategic partnerships, business development, sales, leadership, marketing, and investor relations with experience in running her own businesses and managing sales functions in international corporations: lifecell (Tukrcell), Intertelecom, as well as in launching and developing American, European and Ukrainian IT companies and startups. Valerie is a Tech ecosystem enabler, co-founder of the IT Product People community. Valerie’s motto is: «Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless. With love for Ukraine and Tech!» Country Representatives Hiroshi Shibata Japan Read more Kyiv-based IT entrepreneur specializing in AI & Blockchain. With over 10 years of investment banking IT experience, project management & offshore development in India & Eastern Europe. Born in Japan, educated in the U.S.A., U.K. and Australia. In 2002, launched the first internet startup. In 2009, founded a software and website localization company. Relocated to Europe in 2016 (Germany and Poland). Based in Kyiv, Ukraine since 2018. Titles: CEO, Ago-ra IT Consulting and Agora International Inc. Ukraine branch manager of Online corp,Neolab & Eliza Software Japan Representative, IT Ukraine Association Blogger at Newsweek Japan and IT Media (Softbank subsidiary) Kévin Markowski France, Spain Read more Based between Barcelona, Paris & Kyiv, Kevin is a serial tech entrepreneur. Currently, Kevin is co-founder & CEO at Spitche, a Consumer Marketing Technology for E-commerces, and MeltinLab, a Digital Marketing Summit. He’s also an advisor to several startups and brands. Kevin is the French Tech Kyiv board member An engaging brand community is an important and common point in any project that Kevin is working on. Kevin is a recognized expert in community engagement and digital marketing. Team Nataly Veremeeva Director Read more Nataly is a passionate community builder, with 13 years of experience in Ukrainian tech on sales and top management positions, C-level clubs with 3 cities and 300+ members in total. She has successfully launched capital Kyiv IT Cluster, an Export strategy of ICT Sector that united 110+ industry leaders and influencers. Nataly is leading the TechUkraine foundation to realize the recommendations of the strategy and continue inspiring and managing cooperation among the most prominent and skilled people of the ecosystem. Nataly’s motto is “make this world a better place to live – together” Iryna Supruniuk Communication Lead Read more Iryna is a communication professional with 10 years of experience in business, politics, and arts. A trendwatcher and a philosophy major, who has a professional background in crisis communication campaigns, narrative creation, and project management, Ira has joined TechUkraine team in an afford to make the platform more visible and helpful for stakeholders. We will rock the world tech ecosystem) My motto is “Never stop exploring”. Alissa Bankovskaya Startup in Residence Lead Read more Alissa strives to develop cities of the future in Ukraine and in the world and is the founder and CEO of SYNCHRO SPACE – an incubator of innovative objects for urban environment. She is a thought-maker and organizer of unique urban hackathons SYNCHRO SPACE (2018) and SMART CITY: redesign and innovations. It brings together IT professionals, architects, designers, engineers and urbanists with city government to develop and implement innovative tech and urban solutions in cities. Alissa has 10+ years of experience in architecture and design, she is the founder of “Alissa Ban’kovskaya Architecture & Design”, associate professor of Environment Design Department in KSAACD named after M. Boychuk, and developer of a number of design solutions for public locations in Kyiv. Iryna Novikova Director of corporate development, marketing and innovations Read more Iryna is an entrepreneur, TOP manager and professional with 20+ years of experience in marketing, advertising, communications, and innovation development. Iryna was recognized as “TOP 20 Woman Entrepreneurs of Ukraine 2020” (Innovation Awards 2020). Iryna is an active participant and builder of the Ukrainian Innovative ECO System: an expert of USF (Ukrainian Startup Fund), mentor at Founders University and Sector X, Head of Startups&Innovations Committee at AllUkrainian Advertising Coalition. Iryna supports the women leadership movement (mentor in different programs for women-owners, women-startupers), a member of the Women in Tech Global Movement. Iryna is a founder of several startups with a social impact: Nanofluid +, NxTechnologies, P.aid. EBRD Accredited Marketing Consultant for Small and Medium Business Support Programs. Member of the Advisory Board at tech companies and startups. PhD in Economics, Singularity University graduate (Silicon Valley, USA, 2013). Iryna’s motto: ”Think positive! CREATE! Love what you do!” LET’S INNOVATE AND DEVELOP UKRAINE! Tatyana Terina Director of Organizational Development Read more Tatyana is an entrepreneur, TOP manager and professional with 15+ years of experience in various business areas: retail, construction, international logistics, foreign trade consulting, and management consulting in the IT-sphere. The area of professional activity includes crisis management, operational management, building marketing, and sales functions, BUT the most important thing was and always will be the ability to unite people and build effective and friendly teams around a global goal. Tatyana is a Tech ecosystem enabler, co-founder of the IT Product People community, and Partner of advisory company SalesTech. Tatyana’s motto is: «Try not to become a person of success but try to become a person of value. Love what you do and never give up» Thanks to European Union and German Government for funding our project through the “EU4Business: SME Competitiveness and Internationalisation” programme implemented by GIZ . Thanks to NRW.Global Business for funding our project. Thanks to UNIT.City for supporting our project. Thanks to Sigma Software Group for supporting our project. Nation-wide platform, uniting key Tech players to develop the ecosystem. LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Subscribe to our newsletter We will update you every now and then with the latest TechUkraine news. Subscribe  Contact us! If you have questions about collaboration with TechUkraine, please contact us. Privacy policy Cookie policy Terms of Use Menu