ECO AI: Artificial Intelligence for Ukraine’s Recovery and a Greener World

22/ 08/ 2025

An initiative by SoftTeam that combines cutting-edge technologies with environmental challenges, making sustainable development accessible to everyone. Nick Popov, founder of SoftTeam, shares insights about one of the company’s flagship projects - ECO AI https://ecoai.com.ua/ ECO AI is an initiative that applies artificial intelligence technologies to address urgent ecological challenges and adapt to regulatory changes. The project serves as a digital bridge between environmental initiatives, government standards, and business needs. “We had long dreamed of creating something for the planet. The idea came during our work with the international initiative The Platform for Action on Green Recovery of Ukraine. Cooperation with international organizations inspired us to support this idea and turn it into a separate project,” - says Nick Popov. A non-commercial model for greater impact Unlike most technology solutions, ECO AI was envisioned from the start as a non-commercial and free project for users. “One day I woke up with the understanding that ECO AI must remain this way. It will allow the initiative to grow, keep people’s trust, and effectively accomplish its mission. At this stage, we are doing everything possible to ensure it stays free for both people and businesses. This is not about money or profit - this is about my chance to make the world a little better, and I am confident that we will succeed,” - says Popov. Broad academic and community support The project has already gained strong backing from academia and civil society. Letters of support came from: Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education Institute of Education Problems of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine NGO “Cossack Guard of Ukraine” Public Union “Office of Innovation Support” NGO “Innovative Ukraine” Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University Special gratitude goes to Professor Olena Matviienko and the Ukrainian State University named after M.P. Drahomanov. “Olena not only found the time to coordinate communication with universities across Ukraine, but also proposed a number of excellent initiatives that will benefit thousands of students,” - emphasizes Popov. Diia City as a launchpad for innovation ECO AI is officially registered in Ukraine as a resident of Diia City. “Within just a few hours online we were able to establish a company and apply for residency. Based on my experience working with different jurisdictions worldwide, I can confidently say: the Ministry of Digital Transformation has placed Ukraine among global leaders, with minimal bureaucracy,” - notes Popov. Challenges and plans Currently, the team is working on the most challenging stage - data collection and building the right architecture for effective AI operations. An MVP of the mobile app has been developed, along with a prototype of a portable scanner that could become an affordable alternative to expensive and bulky spectral cameras. The next steps include: scaling up data collection; expanding the team; international growth. “I sincerely believe that ECO AI can help make this planet a better place. In just a few years, everyone will be able to use our ecological assistant quickly, easily, and affordably,” - says Popov. An open platform for partners The project is currently financed by SoftTeam, but the team is actively working on attracting partners, investors, and grants. “We are always open to cooperation. If you share our values and want to support the initiative – we will be glad to develop ECO AI together,” - concludes Nick Popov. If you would like to become a partner, investor, join the team, or support the project – please write to [email protected] or fill out the form at https://ecoai.com.ua/.

An initiative by SoftTeam that combines cutting-edge technologies with environmental challenges, making sustainable development accessible to everyone.

Nick Popov, founder of SoftTeam, shares insights about one of the company’s flagship projects – ECO AI https://ecoai.com.ua/

ECO AI is an initiative that applies artificial intelligence technologies to address urgent ecological challenges and adapt to regulatory changes. The project serves as a digital bridge between environmental initiatives, government standards, and business needs.

“We had long dreamed of creating something for the planet. The idea came during our work with the international initiative The Platform for Action on Green Recovery of Ukraine. Cooperation with international organizations inspired us to support this idea and turn it into a separate project,” – says Nick Popov.

A non-commercial model for greater impact

Unlike most technology solutions, ECO AI was envisioned from the start as a non-commercial and free project for users.

“One day I woke up with the understanding that ECO AI must remain this way. It will allow the initiative to grow, keep people’s trust, and effectively accomplish its mission. At this stage, we are doing everything possible to ensure it stays free for both people and businesses. This is not about money or profit – this is about my chance to make the world a little better, and I am confident that we will succeed,” – says Popov.

Broad academic and community support

The project has already gained strong backing from academia and civil society. Letters of support came from:

Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University
Ferenc Rákóczi II Transcarpathian Hungarian College of Higher Education
Institute of Education Problems of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine
NGO “Cossack Guard of Ukraine”
Public Union “Office of Innovation Support”
NGO “Innovative Ukraine”
Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University

Special gratitude goes to Professor Olena Matviienko and the Ukrainian State University named after M.P. Drahomanov.

“Olena not only found the time to coordinate communication with universities across Ukraine, but also proposed a number of excellent initiatives that will benefit thousands of students,” – emphasizes Popov.

Diia City as a launchpad for innovation

ECO AI is officially registered in Ukraine as a resident of Diia City.

“Within just a few hours online we were able to establish a company and apply for residency. Based on my experience working with different jurisdictions worldwide, I can confidently say: the Ministry of Digital Transformation has placed Ukraine among global leaders, with minimal bureaucracy,” – notes Popov.

Challenges and plans

Currently, the team is working on the most challenging stage – data collection and building the right architecture for effective AI operations. An MVP of the mobile app has been developed, along with a prototype of a portable scanner that could become an affordable alternative to expensive and bulky spectral cameras.

The next steps include:

scaling up data collection;
expanding the team;
international growth.

“I sincerely believe that ECO AI can help make this planet a better place. In just a few years, everyone will be able to use our ecological assistant quickly, easily, and affordably,” – says Popov.

An open platform for partners

The project is currently financed by SoftTeam, but the team is actively working on attracting partners, investors, and grants.

“We are always open to cooperation. If you share our values and want to support the initiative – we will be glad to develop ECO AI together,” – concludes Nick Popov.

If you would like to become a partner, investor, join the team, or support the project – please write to [email protected] or fill out the form at https://ecoai.com.ua/.