This is our story: How we created Fordewind

On August 16, Fordewind celebrates its 11th anniversary. This is an opportunity not only to reflect on how it all began but also to share the experiences we’ve gained along the way. Creating Fordewind wasn’t just about launching a company; it was a real challenge: “We aimed to create something more than just a business. We wanted to build a community of innovative solutions that change the world for the better,” notes one of the company’s founders. Today, looking back, we can proudly say that this was just the beginning of our great story. On the occasion of the company’s anniversary, we asked the founders, Volodymyr and Oleksandr, about their journey in creating the company: its past, present, and future. After talking with the company’s founders today, we are ready to share our story with you.

How did your career in IT start?

Volodymyr: My journey started in a youth club during the 9th grade. I was 15 years old when I joined a group of young prodigies who were building computers using radio components. It was a breath of fresh air amidst the gray Soviet buildings. I had my first glimpse of a personal computer, a Yamaha, in Kyiv, which sparked my passion for computer technology. From that moment, I was determined to dedicate my life to technology. I enrolled in Kyiv Polytechnic Institute to pursue a degree in “Computer Systems Design and Industry.” It was there that I met Oleksandr, my classmate and now business partner.

Oleksandr: When I was young, personal computers were beginning to become a part of our daily lives. It all started with simple games on big EC series computers that used punch cards and magnetic tape for data storage. The programmers who worked on these computers wore white lab coats, which left a strong impression on me. At that time, I decided to pursue a career in computing technology. In the late 1990s, I created one of Ukraine’s first online stores as my first job.

How was the idea of Fordewind created?

Volodymyr: After graduating from university, I didn’t immediately start working in IT. Instead, I focused on gaining experience in other fields, which later turned out to be valuable for starting my own company. It may sound cliché, but everything fell into place when we were ready for it. Both Oleksandr and I went through major life changes, such as having children, which motivated us to seek something new and pursue our venture. Since we both had a passion for computers and spent a lot of time studying them, we thought, why not merge our interests with something practical? Then, a phone call came, and we had another “child” together — our Fordewind.

Oleksandr: I’ve always felt that every course I took, every training I went through, and every job I had were all preparing me for something greater. When Fordewind appeared, I realized why. Managing the company required almost all the knowledge and experience I had gained up to that point. It felt like the logical continuation and the ultimate test of everything I had done before.

What were the main challenges at the initial stage?

Volodymyr: At first, everything was unknown. We didn’t know much about the industry, running a business, or what the future held. Despite this, we found it very interesting. Another challenge was dealing with the time differences with our clients. Right from the start, we were focused on the American and European markets. This meant that late-night calls and negotiations with clients at 3 a.m. were quite challenging. And, of course, building a team was also a major undertaking.

Oleksandr: I agree with Volodymyr. The main challenge was, of course, the change in mindset when transitioning from an employee to an entrepreneur. For me, this was another stage of growing up. Moreover, as we already mentioned, at that time, I had my first child, and as a result, my life changed drastically.

How long did it take to start the company?

Volodymyr: From the experiment to the first client, it probably took about 5-6 months.

Oleksandr: From our perspective, the company’s creation is still ongoing. We are continuously adding new management tools, implementing new approaches to solve familiar issues, and constantly seeking ways to improve internal processes.

Why did you choose the name Fordewind?

Oleksandr: Initially, we had a different name, but after conducting linguistic research, especially in finding the accurate translation, we decided to change the name. I’m grateful to Volodymyr and his sports hobbies for our current name. I believe he can explain it better.

Volodymyr: As Oleksandr mentioned, I have a passion for windsurfing. The term “fordewind” originates from the Dutch phrase “voor de wind,” which means “before the wind” or “downwind.” In maritime terms, it refers to when the wind blows from behind or slightly from the side, moving the vessel forward. The maritime theme is very important to me. The sea brings back pleasant memories and represents strength, which we have incorporated as the foundation for our company. Fordewind symbolizes progress in the right direction, favorable conditions for achieving goals, quick development, and adaptability to change. Moreover, the name suggests the company’s innovation and flexibility, enabling it to keep up with modern technology, stay on trend, and swiftly respond to environmental changes. This creates a positive association with success and progress.

How did you choose the company’s fields of activity?

Oleksandr: Since we both graduated from the Faculty of Electronic Engineering at KPI, we decided to maintain a focus on electronics rather than fully transitioning into applied programming. Therefore, choosing IoT was a natural decision for us.

Volodymyr: We decided to start by integrating sensors and actuators into various platforms. This involved creating mobile applications that displayed information from these sensors. Sensors and actuators play a crucial role in IoT infrastructure, so we focused on key industries at the time, such as Automotive and Smart Homes. In addition, alongside a passion for studying the digitization of the Healthcare industry, we developed expertise in Healthcare by combining our love for electronic technology and medical devices at Fordewind.

Who was your first client?

Oleksandr: I believe our first clients were connected to BLE and the automotive industry. Of course, these were quite small projects, but they were quite technological, as, at that time, BLE support in consumer electronics was just emerging.

Volodymyr: Yes, you’re right. I clearly remember that our first major client was the German automotive parts manufacturer ZF. We developed the Smart Asset Tracking System, a revolutionary technology that transforms logistics and supply chains. The system represents an advanced infrastructure that facilitates real-time asset monitoring and management. The system uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags, RFID (radio-frequency identification), GPS (Global Positioning System), or a combination of these technologies to track and collect data in real-time. BLE tags act as intelligent beacons, providing precise and efficient asset tracking throughout the supply chain. In this way, we combined our knowledge, technology, and love for electronics, creating a remarkable project. You can read more about it here.

How have your priorities and strategy changed since the company’s founding?

Oleksandr: In fact, our priorities remain unchanged: we do what we love, create enjoyable things, and ultimately make the world a more comfortable place. We are very happy when our team shares our values.

What are the key success factors for Fordewind in the IoT market?

Oleksandr: The most important factor is our employees, our team. They are a group of unique specialists who are passionate about their work. When a person loves what they do, the result exceeds expectations. We see this, and so do our customers, who are also passionate about their industry.

Volodymyr: The second factor is our specialization. Our expertise includes developing innovative technologies used in healthcare, the automotive industry, smart homes, cities of the future, the agricultural sector, industry, and renewable energy. Our team has deep knowledge and experience in their professional field, and we strive to be competent, efficient, and responsible to meet the needs of our clients better. We’ve been in the IoT market for over 10 years, during which time we’ve mastered key market technologies, explored new paths for the development and integration of smart devices, and offered innovative solutions that improve lives. The third factor is attention to detail. Our actions always serve the interests of our clients and their clients. We strive to ensure the highest quality of work and achieve our clients’ goals. Moreover, we are continuously moving towards improvement and encourage our colleagues to experiment with the latest technologies. We create optimal conditions for developing their talents and constantly improving our solutions.

How do you see the company in 5 years?

Volodymyr: In five years, Fordewind will be an international company, and by “international,” we don’t just mean our clients and partners. We have been international from the very beginning. Currently, Fordewind has offices in key cities, including Kyiv, Warsaw, Vancouver, and Tallinn. We are actively involved in the digitization of various projects in the USA, Canada, and Europe, which is a strategically important process for many industries. Our plans for the next 5 years include opening new horizons, particularly by attracting foreign specialists to improve our solutions and share their experience with our team. In 5 years, the Fordewind team will be an international team.

What do you see as the future of the IoT industry and its impact on the company?

Oleksandr: The development of various human activities is being accelerated by deeper digitization. The Internet of Things (IoT) trend has progressed to become the Internet of Everything (IoE), which is now being further advanced through AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) and Edge Computing. These are undoubtedly some of the main trends in the world today, and Fordewind is actively involved in this area.

Volodymyr: I completely agree. The development of artificial intelligence is directly related to collecting data from the surrounding world, which is impossible without IoT. IoT is the sensory organ of AI. Therefore, the future of the industry lies in the collaboration between AI and IoT.

Over the 11 years of Fordewind’s existence, we have come a long way—from a small startup to a company that sets standards in the IT industry. Our success is the result of the team’s joint efforts, dedication to our principles, and constant pursuit of innovation. But this story is far from over. We look to the future with optimism and ambition. Our commitment to making the world a better place by developing cutting-edge technologies remains unchanged. We are ready to face new challenges, expand our horizons, and continue writing the story of Fordewind with you. Thank you for being with us all these years, and we invite you to join us on this exciting journey forward!