The 8th Swedish-Ukrainian Business Forum – a platform for networking, partnership and cooperation, discussion of global trends in the business sector – was held (with the support of well-known Swedish companies) in Ukraine. The Journalist’s correspondent visited the event and talked with both its participants and the “Sweden-Ukraine IST Connection. Start-ups alley” business discussion organizers about the “yesterday’s” achievements, the today’s state of affairs and the agenda for “tomorrow”.
Modern Sweden is a country with a successful, diversified, competitive economy which has made a breakthrough in the field of digital technologies and telecommunications. Unlike Sweden, Ukraine has not even achieved the similar indicators; so, it is vital for Ukraine to establish contacts, exchange experience and attract specialists.
The cooperation between Ukraine and Sweden is deepening, as well as the trade and investment are increasing. The Ukrainian-Swedish business community is organizing the events that promote communication and provide an opportunity to demonstrate the Ukrainian and Swedish exporters potential. The traditional 8th Swedish-Ukrainian business forum has already become one of such opportunities.
The Swedish-Ukrainian business forum focused on three topics: sustainable development, decentralization and financial markets. Within the framework of the various events, the experts had the opportunity to exchange experience and discuss successful Swedish business models in various sectors.
The “Sweden-Ukraine IST Connection. Start-ups alley” business discussions, organized by the SBA (Swedish Business Association in Ukraine) have been the one among the numerous specialized Forum’s events. The SBA has created a common communications platform for professionals from large and successful Swedish IT companies operating in the Ukrainian market, Ukrainian companies interested in markets for exporting and promoting their ideas, as well as for start-up developers.
The event was moderated by the president of the Swedish Business Association in Ukraine Bohdan Senchuk. The Ambassador of Sweden to Ukraine, Martin Hagstriom, has made an introductory remarks in which he noted the positive dynamics of relations development between the two countries and the need to introduce technologies and innovations, exchange experiences and support interesting initiatives.
Related news: SBA President spoke about development of Ukrainian-Swedish cooperation
The Ericsson business in Ukraine Development Director Ihor Srebrodolsky, the CEO and co-founder of Sigma Software Valerii Krasovsky, the CEO and co-founder of Beetroot and Beetroot Academy Andreas Flodstrom, had made presentation on the outcomes of the companies’ activities and announced their plans for the future. In addition, the developers of IT start-ups had the opportunity to rpesent themselves and their projects.
Ihor Srebrodolsky spoke about the possibilities of communication providers in revealing the mobile technologies potential and presented the 5th Gen technology, demonstrating how much 5G is progressive compared to 4G. In addition, within the framework of the Forum the Ericsson Ukraine and Lifecell digital operator, for the first time in Ukraine, had deployed the mobile 5G demo system to demonstrate the advanced technologies of the new mobile communication standard and present 5G use cases. The 5th generation technology is already being introduced in the US, Korea, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the work in Ukraine is focused on the development of a full-fledged 4G coverage and on the search for new sources of profitability for telecom operators. Regarding ordinary users, the company is working on two issues – the coverage (which lacks dedicated low frequencies) and the introduction of new voice services. However, the President of Ukraine by the decree “On the introduction of 5G in 2020” gave the first impetus to Ukraine to moving towards the 5th generation technology along with other countries. Communication operators together with the regulator will analyze the frequency at which 5G can be launched and will develop a roadmap for the introduction of the latest technologies. As for ordinary users the 5G will depend on their final equipment, that is, whether the Ukrainian user will be able to change his smartphone as quickly as, for example, users in other countries.
Related news: Ericsson is working on introducing a new level of quality communication service – Ihor Srebrodolsky
Valerii Krasovsky spoke about the Sigma Software activities (it is among the Top 100 outsourcing companies in the world according to the International Association of Outsourcing Specialists), which has been providing high quality software development services to its customers in many sectors for over 17 years, and also the most advanced IT technology solutions. As of today, Sigma Software cooperates with Europian countries, USA, Israel, Great Britain and Australia in automotive, aviation, gaming, healthcare, media, energy, etc. industries, as well as with the large companies (Volvo, Scandinavian Airlines, etc.), medium-sized businesses, startups. However, it mainly focuses on technological services.
Related news: Sigma Software сo-founder spoke about IT-consulting today
The founders of the company set out to create a “programmers for programmers” company, in order to create a comfortable working environment and be able to solve customer problems using the best technologies. Today Sigma Software is paying considerable attention to the development of the working space and the creation of optimal working conditions. The company has R & D research centers, where engineers can test and implement their ideas. In addition, the company has contacts with venture funds around the world, so the idea can get funding and develop into a startup. The company launched the University – Sigma Software University, which provides assistance in training professionals outside and inside the company.
Andreas Flodstrom told about two segments they are working in: the creation of dedicated developer teams (Beetroot) and education (Beetroot Academy). Through their activities, they help people to start an IT career and to develop this sector. At present time, the company has more than 350 employees, creates teams for more than 80 clients from 17 countries, and trains people in 13 cities of Ukraine (plans to reach 20 cities by the end of next year).
Beetroot is concerned about inner atmosphere of the team and implies innovative management approaches. The company has a horizontal organizational structure and provides a high degree of freedom for its teams. Recently, Beetroot has been listed on WorldBlu World’s Most Democratic Employers.
Beetroot strives for gender balance: today above 40% of employees of the company are women.
Related news: : Beetroot and Beetroot Academy Co-founder speak about creation of teams and education in IT sector
Interesting and symbolic: in early 2012, two like-minded people decided to create an IT team focusing on a social component in Eastern Europe. When they arrived in Ukraine, they did not even make up a name. Therefore, they began to look for something new, interesting, and, above all, meaningful. And then Beetroot came to their minds, inspired by the Ukrainian borsch. First, the dish is familiar to all Ukrainians, and, secondly, it combines a mix of good ingredients. So, a company that combines the best elements of Swedish and Ukrainian cultures is symbolically suitable.
Following the discussions, the “authors” of the 10 startups: Linkery, CornCopi, BookWrapp, Digital Harmonix, IT Automotive, Livatek, Tentixo, 2Event, Aurise AI and MeQuest Had the chance to present themselves!
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