A journey of entrepreneurship, innovation, and hands-on growth
Early Curiosity and First Steps in Tech
My path into digital began before I even started university. While still in school, I interned at Temogam, one of Ukraine’s first custom website development companies. There, I got my first exposure to PHP-based eCommerce engines, which ignited a lifelong passion for technology and problem-solving.
As a student, I leveraged my technical and analytical mindset to simplify the complex coursework of my thermal engineering program. Using Excel, I built custom calculation tools that could automate long, tedious engineering formulas. I offered these services to fellow students, and as demand grew, expanded my offerings to include more advanced academic projects—even full graduate thesis calculations. It was my first taste of scalable, tech-enabled entrepreneurship.
From Engineering to Digital Advertising
After graduating with a Bachelor’s in Thermal Power Engineering from Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding—where my thesis was awarded best in class—I briefly worked as a software engineer in the field of medical equipment.
But my interests quickly shifted toward digital innovation. In 2006, I joined two partners to launch INVIDEO, an ad agency focused on placing video content on LCD and plasma screens in supermarkets and McDonald’s locations across southern Ukraine. As Technical Director, I built the IT backbone of the operation—video editing, content distribution, and network management.
Seeing the growing demand for web development, we spun off a separate unit for building websites. I became Director of this new division in 2007, overseeing client projects, production processes, and digital infrastructure. It was a foundational experience in running a tech-oriented business.
The Birth of UKRCONTEXT
In early 2009, following the 2008 financial crisis, we pivoted away from website development and launched UKRCONTEXT, a performance marketing agency focused on contextual advertising. At the time, Google Ads wasn’t yet available in Ukraine, so we started with Begun, Yandex Direct, and MetaContext.
While our expectations for rapid growth were tempered by the reality of a developing digital market, I introduced a service package model that allowed us to provide more value beyond simple ad management—offering clients strategic support, analytics, and digital optimization in exchange for monthly retainers.
This became the foundation of our agency’s long-term success. Over the years, we expanded into:
- Web Analytics
- SEO & SEM
- Conversion Optimization
- Social Media Marketing
- Lead Generation Systems
I eventually acquired full ownership of UKRCONTEXT and continued developing it as a boutique agency focused on performance and long-term client partnerships.
Startup Experience: DriverNotes
In 2013, I joined DriverNotes, a VC-backed startup, as Marketing Director. The product—a web and mobile app for car expense tracking—was innovative but slightly ahead of its time. My responsibilities included:
- Building the unit economics model
- Crafting monetization strategies
- Running user acquisition campaigns (especially mobile)
Although the app faced development delays and UX flaws that limited its potential, the experience was invaluable. I deepened my understanding of startup dynamics, investor relations, and user behavior.
Scaling Globally: AVA DMA LLC
In 2016, I co-founded AVA DMA LLC, a US-based Google Ads agency. Our focus was SMB clients on the U.S. East Coast. I led the client delivery side of the business, managing remote teams, multilingual support, and multi-time-zone workflows.
The experience taught me how to scale service operations globally, manage remote teams effectively, and deliver high-level marketing performance to demanding clients. In 2019, I sold my stake in the company to focus on ventures more aligned with my long-term goals.
High-Growth in Financial Marketing
In 2021, I took on the role of Head of Marketing for a European investment fund (undisclosed due to NDA). The fund specializes in passive investment solutions with high liquidity, operating under tight financial regulations.
Since joining, I’ve helped lead the fund through a period of significant growth:
- Assets under management grew from €2M to €27.8M
- User base increased from 14,000 to over 118,000
- Built full-funnel marketing and CRM automation
- Specialized in regulatory-compliant marketing for the finance sector
This project has been a turning point, combining my love for performance marketing with the strategic challenges of the financial world.
Where I Stand Today
From coding early websites to scaling global ad agencies, from automating engineering calculations to building marketing systems for investment funds—my career has always been about solving problems, creating systems, and driving measurable growth.
I’m passionate about digital transformation, marketing strategy, and helping businesses scale efficiently through performance-based thinking.
If you’d like to connect or collaborate—let’s talk.