Four Ukrainian entrepreneurs build business during the war

Author: Oleksandra Brasovetska, Innovation Unit, UNDP Istanbul Regional Center

Olena Kasyan, OK TOWN

Olena loves exploring new places in Ukraine and looking for local entertainment venues, especially when it involves outdoor activities. However, Ukraine's tourism infrastructure is unevenly developed and is currently heavily affected by the war. "You have recently moved to a new city or just arrived and know nothing about it. You realize that you'll probably need a local guide when looking for things to do in Ukrainian cities, let alone villages," Olena says. "What if there was a digital guide that you could turn to? OK TOWN [the name of her app], what's local today?"

While services are available, they are hard to find. There is no single comprehensive platform available for companies to advertise offers for locals, newcomers, or tourists. In mid-2021, Olena and the team started working on developing a smartphone app to promote tourism in Ukraine. The launch of the web version was the first milestone in their project, along with the creation of reliable partnerships. The entire team works on a volunteer basis, which significantly slows down the development process. But this did not stop the team, which wants to build a digital tourism infrastructure in Ukraine. The outbreak of the war has put their development in Ukraine on hold, but they continue to work behind the scenes, preparing a platform to promote tourism in Ukraine after the war ends.

A recent BOOST graduate, Olena has been focusing on developing her crowdfunding skills and analyzing the impact of her innovations. She shares one of her insights: "Crowdfunding is not just about funds; it's about building community." To promote a culture of shared ownership and engage people in tourism development, the team intends to work with local communities. Olena notes that the project will have a huge impact on neighborhoods, as well as on small and medium-sized enterprises. In addition, it provides an opportunity for nearby museums, galleries, and non-profit organizations to promote their services and attract tourists to different parts of the city. The team intends to debut the app in Ukrainian and continue to integrate the translation function. The OK TOWN team then plans to expand its services and establish partnerships in Slovakia and Romania. Olena believes that the app will help people find events, places, and activities that are personally relevant to them, as well as promote local and regional tourism.

"Be patient," Olena advises women innovators, "an idea can be cool, but constructive feedback can make you revise and revise, and eventually the idea will transform. Don't be afraid of change.

Learn more about OK TOWN or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn

Meet the CEO: Olena Kasyan