A world-renowned cyber security expert has built a base in听Sunderland and听is targeting rapid expansion that will see his business create 10 new jobs this year.听听听
Dr Igor听Kotsiuba, who relocated to the听North East听from Ukraine under a Global Talent Visa, has launched听Healthymity听Limited, which aims to support AI and decision-making in health and medicine to bring a whole new world of insight to frontline professionals.听听听
The company has taken office space at Sunderland Software Centre, and Igor hopes to quickly scale up his business, having bid to the European Commission Horizon Framework Programme to get a share of 鈧�95.5 billion worth of projects that will help tackle climate change, meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boost the EU鈥檚 competitiveness and growth.听
The entrepreneur, who has a PhD in Information Technology, believes that, if the business is successful in its bid to win contracts from the framework,听Healthymity听could begin its recruitment drive within two months, building a team to support the delivery of projects that are focused on energy transition, using tech and digital to support decarbonisation.听听听
As well as his new UK venture, the Ukrainian businessman runs听iSolutions听UA, a company based in Kyiv that employs 40 people and is one of the country鈥檚 leading providers of ICT equipment and solutions for enterprise, government and academia.听听iSolutions听also supports customers with digital transformation and cybersecurity solutions and works with global businesses including AstraZeneca, Ericsson, Siemens, Thales, ATOS, EDF, SEB Bank and Telefonica.听听
Igor, who has travelled the world as part of his academic career, lecturing in Norway, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, chose to relocate to the听North East听to launch his new venture after falling in love with the area, when he visited Newcastle.听 He met another entrepreneur based at the Software Centre and was impressed with the facilities.听 He immediately signed up to take space.听听听
鈥淰isiting the听North East听back in 2018 was one of the most amazing moments of my life.听 I thought 鈥榳ow, this is a fantastic place鈥�,鈥� said Igor, who has visited more than 70 countries.听听听
鈥淭he听North East听really struck a chord with me and I was keen to come back.听 When I came to Sunderland and saw the Software Centre, I immediately wanted to be based there.听 It is a great space 鈥� and flexible enough to support me as my business grows.鈥�听
Igor 鈥� who has won numerous awards including Exceptional Talent in Cybersecurity endorsed by Tech Nation UK and a Presidential Award for Young Scientists 鈥� is working alongside co-founder, Professor Inna听Skarga-Bandurova, a researcher on AI and Computer Vision at Oxford Brookes University,听and also听a partner in听iSolutions, to establish听Healthymity.听 They are hoping to use links with local universities to build a team of graduates and post-grads, opening the doors for new talent to grow a career in tech.听听听
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking to assemble a team quickly, and 鈥� should we be successful in our bid to the European Commission Horizon Framework Programme 鈥� this will provide an excellent opportunity for people to grow with our business.听 We are really excited about the future for听Healthymity.鈥�听
Patrick Melia, chief executive of Sunderland City Council, said he is thrilled that Dr听Kotsiuba听has chosen to make Sunderland the base for his business.听
He said: 鈥淪underland has grown a strong knowledge economy, with exceptional facilities like the Software Centre proving to be attractive to businesses seeking a collaborative environment that nurtures talent and supports businesses to succeed.听听听
鈥淚t鈥檚 fantastic that听Healthymity听has chosen to make Sunderland its home and we look forward to supporting Dr听Kotsiuba听as he grows this business, drawing on the wider regional talent pool and benefitting from the assets that make Sunderland as great place to start and grow a business.鈥�听