YC
Lessons From The Founders Scaling Their Startup In A War Zone
@ Y Combinator
06/24/22
Takeaways
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
At 2 AM, the alarm system went off, indicating a Russian missile had struck nearby, marking a terrifying start to the day on February 28th, just days after the invasion began.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
The founders of Awesomic, Stacy Pavlyshyna and Roman Sevast, experienced a drastic change in their lives as they transitioned from startup founders to survival coordinators amidst the war in Ukraine.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
As the war escalated, Stacy and Roman had to consider risks unfamiliar to most founders, constantly communicating with their team about potential threats and safety measures.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
On February 24th, when Russia attacked Ukraine, Stacy received a call from her mother urging her to evacuate, prompting the founders to initiate the evacuation of their team and themselves from Kyiv.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
Even while evacuating from Kyiv, Stacy and Roman witnessed the ongoing danger, including Russian helicopters flying overhead, highlighting that there was no safe place in Ukraine.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
The first days of the invasion were filled with panic and stress as many people struggled to accept the reality of the situation, making it challenging for Stacy and Roman to manage their team effectively.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
Having a pre-established emergency plan allowed Stacy and Roman to focus and execute their evacuation strategy step by step, which was crucial during the chaotic first month of the war.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
The emotional toll of the war became apparent for Stacy and Roman after the initial phase of intense activity, particularly when they were confronted with distressing images from the conflict.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
We had to think about how to hide a girl in an occupied city and provide her with instructions to avoid being found by invaders, which was one of my biggest fears regarding the safety of my team.
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Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
We hired 'kamikaze drivers' who know safe routes in dangerous areas to evacuate our team members and their relatives from occupied cities.
YC
Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
Once we ensured basic safety for our team, we focused on growing our business and acquiring new designers and customers, even amidst the war.
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Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
Despite the ongoing conflict, we operated normally and accepted new customers, as we believed it was crucial to support the economy and onboard designers who lost their jobs.
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Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
The entire country has entered a startup mode, where everyone is contributing to the war effort, whether by focusing on the economy or providing support in various ways.
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Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
The startup mode adopted by the country has fostered extraordinary resilience among the Ukrainian people, helping to slow and even halt some Russian advances.
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Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
I am optimistic about the Ukrainian people and their ability to unite and support each other, which is essential for protecting our company and our future.
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Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
The optimism that we, as co-founders, showcase is vital for any founder, especially for those fighting for their country's freedom.
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Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
We are actively discussing how to rebuild Ukraine once the war ends, emphasizing our commitment to resist and support our country.
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Y Combinator Cast
06/24/22
@ Y Combinator
Organizations helping Ukrainians in need of safety and support require ongoing assistance from the global community.