The Ukraine Lifehacker team recently interviewed the founders of the event startup Navcolo, Mykyta Kurochka and Maria Kodatska. They shared some secrets to their success, discussed the obstacles they faced on their journey to achievement, and elaborated on the concept of Navcolo.
Now, let’s explore the world of Navcolo together.
Could you tell us a bit about yourselves and how you came up with the idea for Navcolo?
The idea for Navcolo was born during a full-scale invasion. I was eager to divert my thoughts and channel my energy in a productive direction. I’ve always had a passion for exploring new places in Dnipro, and, in a way, I’m my own target audience.
Previously, I relied on friends’ posts on Instagram and Facebook to discover events, but that approach was far from convenient. There was a lack of local, interesting events on Facebook, such as coffee tastings, business brunches, networking events, and poetry evenings. Meanwhile, on Instagram or Telegram, finding something truly captivating required subscribing to numerous people or groups, hoping to stumble upon an event in your city.
In the 21st century, one would expect a solution to this issue. Progress is relentless, yet we didn’t have an application for easily discovering activities. So, the idea to create Navcolo was born from this very question.
What’s the core idea and concept behind Navcolo?
The fundamental concept is to gather all local events into a single, user-friendly mobile application, streamlining the search process to be fast and tailored to individual interests. The goal is to enable users to quickly choose an event for the evening, invite friends, or plan their weekends.
Moreover, we want to highlight the numerous charity events happening in Dnipro, including concerts, training sessions, and masterclasses that contribute to the support of the Armed Forces, displaced individuals, and animals. In the app, we list these events in a ‘popular’ category, marking them with a yellow-blue flag.
We also consider newcomers to Dnipro who aim to acquaint themselves with the city’s rhythm and lifestyle. Navcolo offers assistance in this regard. One unique feature of our app is that anyone with a phone and the app can become an event organizer—whether it’s someone hosting board game sessions, organizing a girls’ meetup, opening an art exhibition, or even performing at a concert.
What challenges did you face in developing the startup, and how did you overcome them?
One of the most significant challenges was during a nationwide blackout. At that time, our project was in full swing, and we couldn’t afford to halt progress, having already overcome numerous obstacles. Working during a 37-hour power outage, with drained power banks, was an additional challenge. We frequented coffee shops, stayed late in offices, and did everything to keep the project afloat. The urge to sleep, get warm, and have the lights back on as planned was intense. The almost non-existent phone connection made it difficult to communicate with the team. However, we managed to balance our full-time jobs, work on the project, and attend events to introduce Navcolo.
Another significant challenge was my struggle with creating comprehensive documentation in meticulous detail, despite my extensive IT background. Additionally, I initially overestimated my capacity, attempting to handle web development, server-side tasks, mobile application development, and design all on my own.
Initially, it was a challenge to position ourselves to event organizers. Many organizers didn’t grasp how our application differed from platforms like Facebook and why they should prefer us. This gradually improved with the introduction of new features, an expanding user base, increased publicity, and finding common ground with organizers. We now attract new organizers daily, consequently drawing more users interested in staying informed about events.
Tell us about the key team members and their contributions to the startup’s development.
Our project now boasts a diverse and valuable team. It’s difficult to single out any individual because every team member’s contribution is priceless. Maria and I invest a significant amount of our time into the project due to the array of tasks that require daily attention.
I’m involved in nearly every aspect, managing website development, mobile app development, and server-side tasks. I oversee the project’s overall progress, communicate with the team, and assign technical tasks. Maria serves as the project’s cheerful leader, taking on responsibilities such as team member selection, content management, support, moderation, and handling various non-technical issues.
Our talented designers, Dmytro and Kateryna, are visual wizards, while Yevgeny is a server development expert. Others are also involved in development, though they typically have less work. This includes business analysts, testers, and more.
Ultimately, every person involved in the project has contributed in one way or another, whether by suggesting new features, inspiring the project’s name and logo, or providing valuable advice at critical moments. The success of the project is primarily attributed to the people behind it.
Could you share five lifehacks for a successful startup launch?
- Follow Similar Entrepreneurs: Keep tabs on entrepreneurs who have embarked on similar journeys while developing your startup. Many entrepreneurs share insightful blogs and experiences on the subject, which can inspire you, offer valuable insights, and help you learn from their mistakes and problem-solving expertise.
- Involve Friends and Acquaintances: Don’t hesitate to involve your friends in your project and share your ideas. Often, you’ll find talented individuals close to you who can significantly contribute to your project’s development.
- Seek Reviews: Always ask for detailed, honest feedback about your product. Understand what customers appreciate and where improvements are needed. Continuously refine your product based on feedback. This is the only way to shape your product effectively.
- Publicize Your Startup: Put yourself out there, attend business meetings, talk about your project, and connect with like-minded individuals. This will provide you with an external perspective on your startup, helping you identify weaknesses that need improvement.
- Pursue Your Passion: Develop something you genuinely love. If you’re working solely for monetary gain, you may eventually lose motivation when facing inevitable challenges. Your passion should drive your efforts, and customers will recognize the authenticity of your product.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs dreaming of launching their startup?
My advice is not to assume that creating a startup necessitates a large team and a prominent downtown office. Many successful projects are brought to life by small yet dedicated teams, often working remotely.
In moments when you feel like your project has hit a dead end, remember that it’s just a feeling. It should be viewed as a valuable lesson, not a stop sign. This is where true growth happens. If motivation is lacking, follow my social media accounts where I share insights into the app’s development process. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.
