GENNADIY PYSANKO — ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR 2025 ACCORDING TO THE UKRAINIAN BUSINESS AWARD

Gennadiy Pysanko is a shining example of a Ukrainian entrepreneur who has managed not only to survive the difficult conditions of recent years, but also to significantly strengthen his business, bringing it to the international level. His company The Searchers is not an ordinary recruitment agency, but a high-touch boutique specializing in the selection of talents for global IT companies. Despite the challenges, in particular the full-scale war in Ukraine, Gennady demonstrated impressive resilience and strategic thinking, which allowed the company to increase its revenues by 160% in three years, with an annual growth rate of 50%. This result was possible thanks to a comprehensive approach to business – cost optimization, scaling of core products and diversification of sales markets.

From the very beginning of his journey, Gennadiy prioritized not only technology, but also people. The Searchers team, which today has over 10 specialists, works in different countries, but is united by common values: resilience, initiative and belief in the positive impact of technology on society. An organizational culture built on open communication, transparent goals and regular feedback allows us to quickly respond to challenges and involve each team member in making strategic decisions. Ideas “from below” are not just welcomed – they stimulate development and change, which is supported through mentoring programs, recognition of achievements and flexible work schedules. In conditions of distribution, the team maintains unity through joint projects and informal online meetings.

However, the success of The Searchers is based not only on people, but also on innovation. Gennadiy actively implements modern technological solutions – from LinkedIn Recruiter Corporate to Greenhouse ATS and AI tools for process automation. This allows to reduce the average cycle of closing vacancies by 35%, increase the quality of candidates by 40% and reduce the load on the team of recruiters, which can now focus on in-depth analysis of soft skills and cultural fit. Such a data-driven approach and at the same time the human factor allow to remain competitive even among large international agencies.

The beginning of a full-scale war became a serious test for the business, but instead of decline, a period of rapid transformations began. Gennady took the initiative to reorient the company to support Ukrainian IT specialists who found themselves abroad without work and a network of contacts. The Searchers began to actively work in the markets of the USA, EU, Canada and the UK, offering personalized career tracks, mentoring, interview rehearsals and assistance with adaptation. In parallel, new directions are being developed in Scandinavia, Israel and Asia, which is supported by the localization of services and the building of partner networks. Such a large-scale strategic shift allowed not only to preserve the business, but also to significantly increase it.

Risk management has become another important aspect of the company’s activities. From the first days of the invasion, a clear anti-crisis strategy was formed, which included ensuring the safety of the team, relocation, reserve payments and the continuity of critical processes. Regular risk audits, clear response scenarios and a flexible management structure allow us to quickly adapt to changes, which made it possible to scale operations and maintain the reputation of a reliable partner.

Gennadiy Pysanko not only manages the business, but also actively supports the development of the Ukrainian IT community at the international level. He is a jury member and expert at key industry events, conducts workshops, panel discussions and scientific and practical research, in particular in the field of building high-performance teams according to the principles of agile of leading technology companies. His publications and activities contribute to the integration of the best global practices into Ukrainian business.

Gennadiy Pysanka’s recognition as Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 is a well-deserved recognition of his unwavering work, strategic vision, and leadership. He has proven that a true business not only survives in difficult times, but is also able to grow, innovatively adapt, and lead a team to new heights in the global market. The Searchers under his leadership is a symbol of Ukrainian resilience, innovation, and the pursuit of global success.