Ministry of Good Spirit Invests To Ukrainian Future
Ministry of Good Spirit was a key sponsor at the Ukrainian Future startup pitching competition in spring 2022. The objective of the the program is to contribute for the bright future of Ukraine
Online pitching competition and mentoring program was arranged to empower the Ukrainian startup community and future leaders. Pitching competition offered a digital platform to scout, support and launch strategic innovations critical for Ukraine in war and for rebuilding the country. The Program is organized by the established Ukrainian Future business incubator supported by team members in Finland. Thank you Vitalyi and Hannele!
The Ministry Good Spirit, as part of the competition, is honoured to donate a scholarship to two young future superstars. Yaroslava Polikarpova (Age 16) is creating a wind turbine from Kherson. Igor Klymenko (Age 16) is creating a drone to detect mines. Igor and Yaroslava are bright young talents, but they are also an inspiration to us all. Please have a look at what they think of their innovations, why they are doing what they are doing and other thoughts.
Mikko-Pekka: Yaroslava, What made you interested about technology and science?
Yaroslava: From childhood I was interested in the world around me. I read a lot of different literature and tried to learn more about the processes in nature. It so happened that I entered one of the best institutions in Ukraine — Kherson Physical and Technical Lyceum, where I continued to develop my potential as a young scientist. For 4 years, she took part in various competitions, Olympiads, tournaments and competitions in natural and technical disciplines. In which she always won prizes. This activity prompted the creation of technical development and the choice of future profession. I see a special beauty in science and technology. For me, science is a way of seeing the world. Personally, I (think)that technology has no limits. The world must evolve, for ourselves now and in the future. I firmly admitted to myself that I will work in the field of science and technology, because studying them gives me not only the joy of work, but also inner peace, the knowledge that I am in my place in life.
Mikko-Pekka: Why did you start your project and entered into Ukrainian Future Program?
Our main task is to help the planet get rid of garbage and save the environment for future generations. We must do everything possible so that our children (could )live in a world in which we would like to live. The recovery of my country’s economy will be very long. But it is possible if everyone wants it. Therefore, with my inventions, I will help Ukraine in the near future.
Mikko-Pekka: So Yaroslava doo you have any idols or people you look up to?
Yaroslava: I do not have so-called idols, but there are people who motivate me. One of these people is my teacher and scientific supervisor — Bondarenko Oleksandr Valerievich, thanks to which his own wind turbine was fictional. His unrestrained desire to develop and work inspiring me to new achievements. Responsibility, mind and skills help him to send teens into the necessary channel and motivate to the delivery of new purposes. I am very grateful to the fate that there is such a teacher on my way.
The man who I’m very big fan of is my physics teacher — Pashko Maxim Ivanovich, Honored Teacher of Ukraine. His innovative teaching techniques will not leave anyone indifferent. I am very grateful to him for all the guidelines, classes and support, which has always received when it was necessary. For me, he will remain in my heart forever.
Mikko-Pekka: What about you Igor, how did you start inventing stuff?
Igor: Somehow — already at school — I felt that it is cool to make things. My school had such great courses on technology and science. Before knowing anything about physics I started inventing a machine that would not need any external energy to run. Now I know better. In any case I was and am the person who asks a lot of questions. So much so that my mother had to apologize to the teachers. But what can you do; everything is so interesting.
Mikko-Pekka How did you start to think of your current project?
Igor: I wanted to help our military. At first I started thinking about spider-like robots but then came the quadcopters. (Writers comment: I think Igor is like Tony Stark)
Today Ukraine is in a terrible situation. The war has many negative consequences in various areas from the state’s economy to the mental state of the people. It was very difficult from the very beginning, but over time we started to rehabilitate and work even harder, and we realized that we can’t give up! Quadcopter mines detector has become an incredibly relevant device for our country
Mikko-Pekka: What are your plans for the future? How do you see your future in Ukraine?
After the start of the war, all people realized that one day could completely change their lives and all their plans. Despite this, I am absolutely sure that Ukraine’s successful future is near, I am sure that we will be able to quickly and safely demine the territories of our country, and I am sure that soon all Ukrainians will be able to breathe easily and come back to their hometowns! My main plans for the future are to complete the development of a quadcopter mines detector and to implement it in real life to save thousands of lives and help in the rebuilding of Ukraine!
Mikko-Pekka: Who are you idols? People you look up to?
Our president Zelenskyi — He is brave and not afraid to ask for help.
Elon Musk and Steve Jobs for being innovators
Eric Ries for being a genius to create new ways of making things.
Mikko-Pekka What are you going to do next?
I am going to finish the MVP and try to get the quadcopter to be certified and then get that product into use. In addition that I am seeking to get to the universities.
Here is the video of the Igor’s project: Quadcopter mines detector
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Investing is looking at the future potential and investing into young talent is by far the best risk investment that you can make. The Ministery of Good Spirit is happy to be part of the journey of Igor and Yaroslava and with their inspiration and example we can support all to use human special skills: Creativity and hope to make a better world for us all.
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Final remarks
You might wonder what it is to innovate in Ukraine. Here are some remarks from Yaroslava and Igor about what kind of context they work in.
Yaroslava commenting on her context on April 2022
Now I am in the occupied territory of the city of Kherson. A few days ago, the Internet and mobile communications were completely turned off. Within a few days, I’ll try to restore it. But unfortunately it may take longer.
Igor’s reflections about the situation
From the very beginning of the war, on February 24, my family and I moved from Kyiv to the city of Vasylkiv. Here we (9 people) were initially in the basement almost all the time because every day we could clearly hear rocket explosions or the sound of airplanes flying. Many enemy paratroopers came to our city, hiding in the woods and fields, so when it was dark outside we all went down to the basement, and there I worked a lot, preparing for exams and developing my device, which I am still working on. Due to the war, the work slowed down a lot, because we took only a few things, and in the first weeks it was impossible to get out of the total stress. Many of the male scientists I worked with joined the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and my parents and I volunteered to prepare provisions for those in need, so everyone tried to help Ukraine as best they could and work on the project slowed. However, now I am actively trying to implement my idea in real life to help Ukraine!
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Thank you Yaroslava and Igor for being you. Slava Ukraini
