On January 25th, the official launch of CLUST SPACE took place at the Scientific and Technical Library of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. The introduction of the CLUST SPACE, a shelter for students, marked a significant milestone in the safe space concept development. This innovative shelter promises students a secure environment for offline learning during wartime while serving as a catalyst for professional development, creativity, and innovation. 

The event saw participation from government officials, educators, business leaders, and representatives from civil society. Ruslan Tymofieiev, an investor, founder of the venture builder CLUST, and CEO of the venture fund Adventures Lab, an entrepreneur, a driving force behind the CLUST SPACE initiative, joined remotely also. Ruslan Tymofieiev’s opening speech shed light on the start of the smart shelter concept. He also acknowledged the collaborative efforts that brought the project to fruition. Notable speakers at the event included:

• Mykhailo Zgurovsky, Rector of the Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute; 
• Denys Kurbatov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine; 
• Inna Maliukova, Head of Sikorsky Challenge;
• Yuriy Kryvosheia, Vice President of the Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, Managing Partner of Toronto-Kyiv, co-founder of Yakaboo, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of “Prompribor.Renovation”;
• Oleksii Shaldenko, Ph.D., CEO/Co-Founder of Wantent, Associate Professor at the Department of Digital Technologies in Energy at KPI;
• Natalia Kushnerska, Head of the DEFENCE-TECH cluster at Brave1.

Ruslan Tymofieiev on CLUST SPACE’s Significance for Ukraine

During the event, Ruslan Tymofieiev emphasized that CLUST SPACE represents more than just a solution for education during wartime — it embodies a comprehensive approach to enhancing student life. This initiative addresses pressing societal needs and offers a scalable safety solution that can be replicated across Ukraine and beyond.

Ruslan Tymofieiev recounted that the idea for a secure shelter CLUST SPACE didn’t emerge immediately. In the aftermath of the invasion, Ukrainians mobilized their efforts and united to provide mutual aid. Ruslan Tymofieiev also noted that his team received numerous requests for assistance from refugees, volunteers, military personnel, and territorial defense, prompting them to seek systematic solutions. Recognizing the enduring nature of the conflict, Ruslan Tymofieiev embarked on a quest to identify a crucial area for investment. Conscientiously, he resolved to make a lasting impact by investing in education, a sector that he deemed crucial based on his extensive international experience.

Ruslan Tymofieiev chose to channel his resources into education as the entrepreneur held education in high regard, drawing from years of overseeing international enterprises and engaging with foreign counterparts. His observations led him to conclude that Ukrainian professionals excelled, equally surpassing their international peers in educational attainment and task accountability. CLUST SPACE aims to continue its operations post-conflict, offering students a platform for self-expression, hosting diversified events, and engaging in various activities.

Partnerships and Implementation of the CLUST SPACE Initiative

The construction of the CLUST SPACE smart shelter took five months, with a total project cost of $415,000, attributed largely to architectural complexities. For instance, essential tasks included overhauling the ventilation system, fitting armored glass, establishing an autonomous power supply, and addressing various other requirements.

Key contributors, mentioned by Ruslan Tymofieiev, included Freedom Holding Corp, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the Kyiv City State Administration, the “Svichado” Charitable Foundation, and the Usyk Foundation. These partnerships facilitated the creation of a modern educational facility spanning 600 square meters, accommodating over 500 individuals, and equipped with essential amenities such as meeting rooms, reading areas, a cafeteria, and restrooms.

Expanding the Initiative to Dnipro

At the Kyiv launch, Ruslan Tymofieiev unveiled plans for the next CLUST SPACE smart shelter in Dnipro, to be established at the Honchar Dniprovsky National University. Mikhail Savchenko, an entrepreneur, kickstarted the project with a $100,000 investment, demonstrating the growing support for this transformative initiative.