Can you share a few details about the founding story behind Lionwood.software?
Lionwood.software was founded in 2017, and unlike many startups, it wasn’t a solo endeavor. From the beginning, there were three of us—myself, Yuriy Kaminovskyy, and Bohdan Levytskyy. We shared a diverse background in both tech and the humanities, along with a deep understanding of the growing importance of IT in the world. We also felt a strong urge to bridge the economic and social aspects of IT excellence. In essence, we envisioned a world where IT talent didn’t just operate within its own bubble, but actively contributed to society through the businesses it serves. This vision became the foundation of our company. At that time, the general perception of IT and software development was that of a detached industry serving impersonal corporations, while offering skilled professionals a solid career path. Our approach was different—we wanted to create a model that prioritized people, both in terms of HR and project execution, fostering a win-win scenario. From the start, our priorities were clear: maintaining transparent communication with clients and employees, being fiercely customer-centric, and focusing on organic growth driven by soft skills. Over time, this approach allowed us to evolve from a typical outsourcing model to what we are today—a company that puts people at the core of everything we do. Back in 2017, the IT industry often felt dehumanized, and we made it our mission to bring back the human touch.You are mostly known for your EdTech projects, including the major initiative, NIT (Education and Technologies). Why the focus on EdTech?
While EdTech is indeed a significant focus for us, it’s not our only area of expertise. Our emphasis on EdTech came about naturally, given that the founders have a background in teaching. In fact, many of Ukraine’s top tech specialists share this passion for education—it’s a core part of our culture. Yuriy was a teacher, and I still teach today. Several of our team members also have similar professional experiences, which made EdTech a natural fit. The NIT (Education and Technologies) project began in 2020, during the pandemic. The usual burdens teachers face, like managing paperwork, were intensified by the shift to remote learning. At the same time, Lionwood, like many other companies, experienced a reduction in project scopes due to the crisis. We decided to redirect our efforts towards creating an accessible platform for remote learning. NIT gained recognition in 2021 at a contest held in Lviv, which motivated us to enhance the user experience and expand the project into both web and mobile platforms. The rest, as they say, is history. That said, we’re not solely focused on EdTech. We also work in logistics, transportation, and event management—industries that have a meaningful impact on society as a whole.What services do you offer, and what pain points do you solve for your clients?
Our core services include professional software development, testing, consulting, and more. However, what truly sets us apart is our focus on the “human genius.” We are a human-centric tech enabler, which means we put special effort into understanding each client—whether they’re tech-savvy or not—and strive to deliver the best possible solutions tailored to their needs. Another key aspect of our approach is our corporate culture, which encourages our professionals to go beyond the basics. We actively promote the sharing of best practices, innovative ideas, and creative solutions. For a while, the software development industry focused on “reducing the human factor,” often equating it with minimizing human error. But in reality, the best software is created by humans, designed for humans, and driven by human ingenuity. A single brilliant mind can inspire decades of tech innovation, and we aim to harness that potential in every project we undertake.Please share a few more details about the work you do in the field of AI development.
AI is an integral part of our projects, aligning with our vision of creating society-focused, human-centric software. We work with both pre-existing models, which we train and adapt, as well as develop custom solutions. For example, our NIT platform now leverages AI for schedule generation, helping to alleviate the burden on teachers. Often, teachers experience gaps between lessons, leaving them with idle hours where they can’t focus on other tasks. Efficient scheduling through AI helps reduce these gaps, thus preventing burnout. We’ve also integrated AI-powered chat systems for student and parent groups, which streamline communication by addressing frequently asked questions. Additionally, we’ve implemented a bullying prevention feature within these chats, which analyzes interactions and flags concerns to the school psychologist when needed, all while ensuring privacy is properly maintained. At Lionwood, we’ve developed significant expertise in various AI tasks, including text analysis, voice recognition, combinatorics, and data analytics. Since 2022, we’ve completed several dozen AI projects, and I’m particularly excited about the potential of combining AI with IoT and sensors, especially in fields like logistics and agriculture.What are some of the key features and functionalities that differentiate Lionwood.software’s products from competitors?
One of our core principles is that everything we build reflects the unique identity of our clients. We develop a wide range of applications, from public transport routing software to mental health chatbots and healthcare appointment scheduling platforms. However, we never settle for simply replicating standard solutions in these industries. Instead, we start by understanding the specific problems our clients need to address. Our in-house experts consult with them closely, and only then do we develop a tailored solution that ensures seamless adoption and effectiveness. We are strong advocates of customization, and this approach goes hand in hand with proactivity. We actively encourage our team members to share insights, exchange ideas, and continuously improve their skills through conferences and special events. This culture of collaboration and innovation helps us deliver solutions that are truly aligned with our clients’ needs. Of course, this level of customization can impose certain limitations on us, but it’s a trade-off we’re more than willing to make to ensure quality and client satisfaction.Is there anything else about your work that you’d like to share that we haven’t covered?
We have ambitious plans to expand, with R&D offices being established across the EU and the US. However, what’s most important to us is maintaining the atmosphere that has defined Lionwood from the start—a safe space for innovators. This means fostering an environment free from unnecessary bureaucracy and restrictive management practices, allowing creativity to thrive. As a human-centric IT company, our top priority is ensuring that we meet all legal and regulatory compliance requirements without compromising the creative atmosphere that fuels innovation. It’s this balance that has enabled us to grow and will continue to be the foundation of our success as we expand globally.To learn more about Lionwood.software, you can visit https://lionwood.software
