With the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, businesses faced existential challenges and had to find ways to survive in the midst of the military aggression. Students pursuing careers in business found themselves navigating a world where traditional paths would no longer work, having to adjust to studying despite the Russian bombings. Yet, amid the destruction and uncertainty, according to Ukrainian venture investor Ruslan Tymofieiev, the startup ecosystem has emerged stronger than before, supporting students as they deal with the war threats. This article is based on the experience of Tymofieiev, who founded CLUST SPACE, a charity project of smart shelters for students at Ukrainian universities. It will explore how Ukrainian businesses and the next generation of entrepreneurs are adjusting to a radically changed economic climate.
According to Tymofieiev, many founders relocated abroad due to the war, helping them work directly with international investors. This granted greater freedom to choose their partners, and the overall balance of power has tilted toward startups. In terms of the risk management at war, Tymofieiev advised to embrace the unpredictability. “War creates a backdrop that cannot be calculated, but you must always consider it. Minimize risks through diversification — have a Plan B ready, distribute your team across different countries, minimize long-term commitments and maintain operational flexibility. The main thing is not avoiding risks altogether, but creating systems that allow you to adapt faster than circumstances change.” He also added that in Ukraine, there is a noticeable growth of investments in charitable initiatives. “For example, at CLUST, we’ve started to focus on corporate social responsibility and invest in projects that promote security initiatives. We are building a network of smart shelters for students at Ukrainian universities — CLUST SPACE. These spaces allow learning to continue during air raid alarms. For us, this represents a new level of responsibility to the country and the community,” Tymofieiev said.
For students of the Ukrainian schools that collaborate with CLUST SPACE, the initiative is a way to study despite the Russian attacks. Serhiy Lisimenko, a student of the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and IT and Head of the Student Council of Dnipro National University, shared that “CLUST SPACE is an important element of support. It provides access to resources and workshops, and our Student Council organizes events there. It’s a shelter where you forget its primary purpose. When you have a safe place (in every sense) to return to, life becomes easier. I hope that in the future, all students will be able to visit it, and this place will become the center of our youth movement.” When thinking about American students, Lisimenko expressed deep gratitude for the U.S. support of Ukraine, especially through advocacy, and encouraged his peers to use their ability to study in “a stable position” to contribute to the defense of democratic principles.
Kateryna Diachenko, a public administration student at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, said that CLUST SPACE helps to reduce war-induced stress. Since it is both a coworking space and o a shelter, it provides an invaluable opportunity to work without disruptions, as there is no need to go anywhere else during the air raids. “As Ukrainians, we continue to move forward even under the stress of war,” Diachenko said. “So wherever you are, use your time and chances wisely. Learn something new, support each other, and believe in your power to make a change. The world needs people like you right now.”
