MI: Ukrainian Pitch

Yura Lazebnikov / WePlay Studios

Yura Lazebnikov is an investor and co-founder of WePlay Studios, a content-driven production company. He is also a co-founder of the NGO “Techiia Foundation,” which since 2018 has invested over UAH 20 million in social projects focused on the Ukrainian army, healthcare, and the development of STEM education. LinkedIn of Yura Lazebnikov: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yura-lazebnikov/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/yura-lazebnikov/] About WePlay Studios: WePlay Studios is a content-driven production company that blends gaming, technology, and storytelling to create unparalleled viewer experiences. The company accelerates the entertainment industry with creative solutions in broadcasting, augmented reality, visual effects, interactive experiences, etc. Networks, brands, and agencies around the world turn to WePlay Studios for content development, production execution, and highly targeted brand integrations. Founded in Kyiv, Ukraine, by Yura Lazebnikov and Oleg Krot, the company has dual headquarters in Los Angeles, California, and Kyiv, Ukraine, with high-tech arenas and studios specialized for creating content of any kind. Today, WePlay Studios is the strategic partner of One True King, the largest streaming community in the United States, and the production partner of the Enthusiast Gaming organization. The WePlay team was shortlisted for the Sports Emmy Awards for 2022 for outstanding coverage of an esports event and a finalist of the 2021 Esports Awards for Creative Team of the Year, among many other awards. WePlay Studios is proud to have developed, produced, hosted, and broadcast over 30 esports and gaming events, amassing nearly two million followers and 235 million views on Twitch. https://weplay.tv/ [https://weplay.tv/] On this podcast, Dominique Piotet, co-founder of the Ukrainian Phoenix Fund, discussed with Yura Lazebnikov scaling of the businesses from Ukraine to the global market. The podcast was recorded in September 2023 and sound engineered by The Podcast Bar: https://thepodcast.bar/ [https://thepodcast.bar/]

Ivan Kaunov / Defense Tech Startup BUNTAR

Ivan Kaunov – co-founder of fintech company Finmap.Online, nowadays serving in the Ukrainian Army. On this podcast, he presents defense tech startup BUNTAR. Pitch deck of BUNTAR: https://docsend.com/view/wutan9rimdtvcd6k [https://docsend.com/view/wutan9rimdtvcd6k] Ivan Kaunov on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaunov-ivan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaunov-ivan/] On this podcast, Dominique Piotet, co-founder of the Ukrainian Phoenix Fund, discussed with Ivan Kaunov opportunities for investments in growing military tech. The podcast was recorded in September 2023 and sound engineered by The Podcast Bar: https://thepodcast.bar/ [https://thepodcast.bar/]

Arnaud Lumet / Luxembourg Ukraine Chamber of Commerce

Arnaud Lumet plays a pivotal role as a Founding Board Member of the Luxembourg Ukraine Chamber of Commerce and the Tech & Innovation Lead. Arnaud's journey into the tech ecosystem began with a strong belief that Europe holds vast opportunities for Ukrainian startups. Luxembourg, despite its small size, boasts a thriving tech ecosystem with over 500 startups, 15 incubation and acceleration programs, and initiatives like Fit4Start, which provides up to 150,000 EUR in equity-free support. Arnaud underscores Luxembourg's unique strengths, including its focus on Space Resources, a robust Fintech ecosystem, High-Performance Computing, a Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, and the innovative Digital Embassy Program. In a remarkable achievement, Luxinnovation, the national innovation agency of Luxembourg, is part of a consortium that secured 20 million Euros in funding from the European Innovation Council to support over 200 Ukrainian DeepTech startups in Europe. Contact Arnaud Lumet: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnaud-lumet/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnaud-lumet/] The podcast was recorded in September 2023 and sound engineered by The Podcast Bar: https://thepodcast.bar/ [https://thepodcast.bar/]

Michael Chobanyan / KUNA.io

Michael Chobanyan is the founder of the first Bitcoin agency in Eastern Europe and the CIS countries. Has more than 7 years of experience in managing Telecommunications / Internet Providers. Professionally studies Blockchain ecosystems since 2011. https://www.linkedin.com/in/chobanian/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chobanian/] • In March, 2014 Mr. Chobanyan founded KUNA Bitcoin Agency and non-government organization Bitcoin Foundation Ukraine (BFU). • September, 2014 - the first Bitcoin Embassy in the CIS countries was opened and through successful ICO (December, 2015) the first public Ukrainian exchange of crypto assets KUNA.io was launched https://kuna.io/en [https://kuna.io/en] • In December, 2017, with community of like-minded professionals, Mr. Chobanyan created and headed the Blockchain Association of Ukraine (ABU) http://bau.ai [http://bau.ai] • In January, 2018 at the World Economic Forum in Davos he introduced the concept of Blockchain HUB (cross-border network of professional spaces for solving the urgent problems of the Fourth Industrial Revolution). The opening of the flagship Blockchain HUB in Kyiv took place in March, 2018. • Since the start of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, Michael Chobanyan has launched a Crypto Fund for Ukraine to help the Armed Forces which has raised over $100 million of donations. At the request of the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Chobanyan helped the Government of Ukraine to create and manage state cryptocurrency wallets for donations in Kuna Exchange. • In March 2022, Michael Chobanyan spoke at a hearing of the US Senate Committee on how cryptocurrencies help Ukraine during the war with Russia and why Russian oligarchs will not be able to circumvent sanctions with their help. The podcast was recorded in August 2023 and sound engineered by The Podcast Bar: https://thepodcast.bar/ [https://thepodcast.bar/]

Zoya Lytvyn / Osvitoria NGO

Zoya Lytvyn is Founder of Osvitoria NGO promoting the development and education reform in Ukraine. Zoya introduced to Ukraine Global Teacher Prize Award to enhance the prestige of the teaching profession. On this podcast, Dominique Piotet, co-founder of the Ukrainian Phoenix Fund, discussed with Zoya Lytvyn resistance of the educational front in Ukraine. More about Osvitoria: https://osvitoria.org/en/ [https://osvitoria.org/en/] More about Ukrainian Phoenix Fund: https://ukrphoenix.com/ [https://ukrphoenix.com/] The podcast was recorded in August 2023 and sound engineered by The Podcast Bar: https://thepodcast.bar/ [https://thepodcast.bar/]