Success stories

Luka Yakymchuk, with a strong background in fintech and e-commerce tech development, aimed to apply his expertise to the museum sector through his startup Immuse, using entertainment elements to attract more visitors. Recognizing gaps in his knowledge of museum operations and a lack of industry connections, Luka joined the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, which turned out to be a resounding success. In Madrid he was mentored by Ludovica Cadario, who runs the ARA agency known for its art and cultural events like the Estampa and Hybrid art fairs. Ludovica was exploring an art collectors' club and Luka's experience in service automation proved extremely valuable helping him gain insights into cultural project management and build a crucial network.

During the programme, Luka leveraged innovative technology to rethink museum experiences. Dinners with art collectors, significantly facilitated by Ludovica’s extensive network and influence in the art community, broadened his network and sharpened his project pitch. Inspired by AI artworks, he considered outsourcing some technical work to focus on creative direction, a transition supported by Ludovica's insights into managing cultural projects. She also played a crucial role in helping Luka introduce interactive story formats at the Museum of Franko in Lviv, making historical narratives more accessible and engaging.

The programme significantly broadened Luka’s network, linking him with institutions like the Museum of America and the Roald Dahl Museum in London and reinforcing ties with the Museum of Ivan Franko in Lviv. These connections were crucial for refining his ideas, which were central to transforming visitor engagement in museums. His experience also enhanced his knowledge of museum budgeting and monetization. Luka's approach ensures that coding starts only after evaluating all alternatives and securing funding preparing him to launch his solutions. Ludovica gained from Luka’s lean project approach learning to maximize resources and minimize waste before implementation. She also benefited from his customer research, gaining insights that enabled more effective marketing strategies for her collectors' club. Despite the exchange conclusion, both entrepreneurs plan to continue their collaboration on the Immuse project and the collectors club aiming to further their impact in the culture.