Forbes has named six Ukrainians in its “30 under 30” list in Europe. The list honors young professionals making a significant impact in their respective fields. The Ukrainians were recognized in the categories of “Social Influence,” “Trade,” and “Media and Marketing.”
BUKI Founder Makes Waves in Social Influence Category
Vadim Sinzheretsky, a 29-year-old Ukrainian, founded BUKI while studying physics at Kiev University. BUKI is an educational marketplace that connects private tutors with students across various disciplines. The startup has grown significantly, with over 110,000 teachers, 130 employees, and over 1.2 million processed orders. The Kiev-based startup has become one of the largest EdTech marketplaces for private tutors in Europe.
Young PR Entrepreneur Takes Media and Marketing by Storm
Dima Vasilenko, 28, is the founder of Good Advice, a PR agency specializing in finance and banking. The agency, which works with clients in the UK and USA, was a finalist in the 2021 Drum PR Awards. Vasilenko himself was dubbed a “wunderkind” in communications by PRWeek and was named in the “30 under 30” list by Forbes. Vasilenko arrived in the UK from Ukraine at the age of 18 with limited English proficiency and no connections in the industry. However, within the first year of establishing his own PR agency, Vasilenko landed two clients, boosting the company’s income by 65%. Today, Good Advice has an international presence, serving clients in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia.
Mobile App Founders Innovate in Trade Category
The founders of Zeely, a mobile app that helps small entrepreneurs sell their products online, were also recognized by Forbes. Dmitry Samoilyuk, Yaroslav Samoilyuk, and Alina Bondarenko, aged 21, 28, and 23 respectively, raised $1.3 million in funding for their startup. Zeely has over 8,000 users from the US, Brazil, and Mexico. The app has streamlined the process of selling online for small entrepreneurs, who can easily connect with customers through the platform.
Ukrainian Entrepreneurs Thrive in the International Market
Nikolay Tuzenko, born in Vinnitsa and educated in Kiev and Moscow, co-founded Accel Club in Amsterdam in 2021. The company specializes in purchasing, optimizing, and scaling brands on Amazon, from pet products to home goods and art supplies. In the first year, Tuzenko and his partner raised $170 million in equity and venture capital. Today, the successful business employs 110 full-time employees who use data analytics and marketing to help sellers become more effective.
Overall, Forbes’ “30 under 30” list highlights the innovation and success of young Ukrainians. These entrepreneurs contribute to their industries and beyond.
