Now it's time to summarize the most intensive week in our Handstree journey.
The Catapult program by The LHoFT - Luxembourg House of Financial Technology exceeded our expectations and we were proud to participate there. Moreover, we've never experienced such a tight program focused on startup growth and scaling.
Every day, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Catapult team eagerly worked to reformat our mindsets, pushing us to see opportunities for our companies and to view our strengths and weaknesses from a different perspective. We attended events from the BPF to Luxembourg Venture Days at LuxExpo.
From exploring the financial industry and startup ecosystem in Luxembourg, taxation, and company formation, to the crucial implementation of impact metrics and measurements to meet EU standards in our work — it was comprehensive.
We are also happy to be in one cohort with colleagues from the Ukrainian FinTech ecosystem, who truly inspired us with their solutions and shared our passion for work and values: 🇺🇦 Denys Galenko from Allpass.ai, Andrew Nikulin from Midcontract, Liudmyla Ginner from AgriAnalytica, and Zurab Kotaria from Identomat.
Additionally, we’re excited about the potential for collaboration with members of the Ukrainian startup and FinTech ecosystem, with whom we found many common topics for cooperation: Rostyslav Dyuk, Elizabeth Ivankevych, Valeriia Kotsur, Olena MALCHYK, Olha Afanasyeva, Viktoriia Tymtsias, Nataliia Kozakevych, Oleh Skakun, and Taras Garashchenko.
I’ve never seen such a motivated and well-balanced team as Alex Panican, Luca Mancuso 🇱🇺, Maribel P.V., Eric Devillet (who took the best photos of me ever), Antony Martini, Ella Jordan, Romain Iovalone, the rest of the team, but especially, dear Annabelle Albert-Fonteneau, who cared for us like a mom in the best possible way. She added so much hospitality and made us feel at home.
But none of this could have happened without Nasir Zubairi, who founded LHoFT and built such a self-sustainable and passionate team. He personally inspired me with his unique and impactful leadership style. I will never forget the personal advice you gave me.
And most importantly — thanks to the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade and personally to Louis de Muyser for the financial support of the program, our participation, and the prize. Every penny will be spent to connect as many European donors as possible with the strongest and most resilient Ukrainian nonprofits through Handstree platform.
Finally, this was all made possible by our powerful team — Lia Ivolhina, Yanina Shabanova, and Ruslan Karandeyev — who continue delivering our solution despite the challenges. I’m so proud of you all.