Lessons From The Founders Scaling Their Startup In A War Zone

Summary

The founders of a startup in Ukraine share their experience of scaling their business during the Russian invasion. They had to shift their daily routine to prioritize safety and security, constantly communicating about potential threats. Due to the invasion, they were forced to evacuate and leave Kiev, searching for a safe place amidst the ongoing conflict. Having a pre-planned emergency plan helped them focus and execute, operating in a robotic mode. The emotional toll and trauma became apparent once the initial work was done. The constant exposure to devastating images and stories from the war zone made it difficult to disconnect from the emotional impact. They faced challenges in getting people to a safe place, using kamikaze drivers to evacuate individuals to safety. Despite operating in a war zone, they remained focused on acquiring new customers and believed that economics ultimately determines the outcome. Living in a war zone is similar to living in a startup, fostering resilience and unity among the Ukrainian people. The founders express optimism about the Ukrainian people and discuss plans for rebuilding the country once the war ends.

Introduction

Founders of a startup in Ukraine share their experience of scaling their business during the Russian invasion
Memorable incident of celebrating a birthday in a bunker due to a nearby missile strike

Awesomic typical day

Awesomic's typical day shifted due to operating in a war zone, prioritizing safety and security. Key points include:

Platform connecting companies with designers
Founders Stacey and Roman navigating challenges
Daily routine involved office work, meetings, and interviews
Prioritizing team safety and security
Constant communication about potential threats
Providing advice on staying safe.

Russia attacks Ukraine

Founders of a startup forced to evacuate and leave Kiev due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Constant bombings and threats of missile attacks make it unsafe to stay in the city
Invasion caught them by surprise and they are now searching for a safe place amidst the ongoing conflict

Focus and executing emergency plan

The founders faced panic and stress in a war zone, but having a pre-planned emergency plan helped them focus and execute.
They operated in a robotic mode, knowing what steps to take and what resources they needed.
The intense first month involved helping others and leaving no time for negative emotions.
However, once the initial work was done, the emotional toll and trauma became apparent.

Hardest part of the war

The hardest part of the war is the constant exposure to devastating images and stories, making it difficult to disconnect from the emotional impact.

Constantly confronted with devastating images and stories from the war zone
Difficulty in disconnecting or distancing oneself from the emotional impact

Getting people to safe place

Challenges faced in getting people to a safe place during a war zone
Fear of hiding individuals and providing instructions to keep them safe from invaders
Use of kamikaze drivers who know safe roads in dangerous locations to evacuate people to safety
Priority is ensuring the safety of individuals and eliminating any potential safety threats in the region.

Growing the business

Growing the business in a war zone:

Founders remain focused on acquiring new customers despite operating in a war zone
They continue to operate normally and accept new customers
They believe that economics ultimately determines the outcome, not the military
They bring in foreign money to the economy and onboard designers who have lost their jobs

Startup mode

Living in a war zone is like living in a startup, where everyone is focused on winning and can contribute in various ways. This startup mode has led to resilience and unity among the Ukrainian people, helping to slow down and even stop Russian advances. The founders express optimism about the Ukrainian people and discuss plans for rebuilding the country once the war ends. They also mention the importance of ongoing support for organizations helping Ukrainians on the ground.

Living in a war zone is similar to living in a startup
Everyone is focused on winning and can contribute in various ways
Startup mode has led to resilience and unity among the Ukrainian people
Ukrainian people have been able to slow down and stop Russian advances
Founders express optimism about the Ukrainian people
Plans for rebuilding the country once the war ends
Importance of ongoing support for organizations helping Ukrainians on the ground

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