UGEARS: «Ukrainian culture really suffers». Part 2

Here’s the second part of the interview with the UGEARS project founders. You can find the first part of the interview – here.

WeLoveUA: What do you think of the native crowdfunding project biggggidea.com?

Denys: In my opinion, this resource is more social project than crowdfunding platform. Although it is useful: for example, we have a good idea – to present a large iron sculpture to the city. When I was invited to Business TV channel, I found out that the idea can be realized through this project. I think soon we will design the installation, collect money and move from theory to practice. But that’s only a plan so far.

Okay, but let’s imagine Kickstarter clone existied in Ukraine. Would Ukrainians be as generous as Americans?

Gennadii: The Kickstarter knows no generosity. People just buy what they are interested in. Although I am well aware of what generosity you are talking about.

Now Kickstarter is a website for previous orders. Money is presented only for research projects. However, Americans are really less concerned about their finances. They can see a beautiful wrapper and never regret spending money for it. Ukrainians, on the contrary, won’t buy those playing cards, and they don’t collect dwarfs in the gardens.

Our culture suffers. It is easier to sit with a beer on the bench in the yard than start doing something for personal development. And, of course, people lack in money to invest for the sphere of their interests.

UGEARS’ models are for those who like to make something with their hands. In addition, our construction sets bring dads and sons, and even grandfathers together. And we are proud that this product can improve relationships between different generations.

Initially, the project was created for adults. It is clear even looking at the box. As a result, we are 14+. We can’t become available for younger children because of toothpicks, which are part of the construction set. On the other hand, it is also great, as no one can guarantee that a nine-year-old child will be able to handle the set. There were times when six-year-olds managed to do it, while a thirty-year-old man couldn’t. Therefore, this ability depends more on intelligence than on age.

Our prospects in the US are identical to Ukrainian. It is even more difficult in the United States, where an age limit depends not only on the toothpicks’ presence but on the difficulty as well. The latter one is defined by a special commission. Moreover, it is estimated very subjectively. Therefore, we don’t consider putting 9+ mark. Still, it is more likely to a child to get interested in an adult toy faster than an adult would pay attention to children’s one.

For instance, Tram has to drive. And this already implies a complex structure. One cannot take two sticks and make them a mobile model.

The sets are bought mostly by children aged 13-15. Young people from 16 to 20 years old aren’t too interested in the product, there are few of those. But the audience over 25, again, demonstrates the desire to buy and collect a model.

Is your product more a souvenir or a construction set?

Gennadii: A construction set, of course.

Denys: There is a definitions problem here. With a set, you can make 3 to 5 similar models with the details similar to each other. Our details, however, are unique, so our product is a model for collecting.

How to you like the name 3D-puzzle?

Technical designer Denis Ohrimenko

Denys: No, it isn’t correct. We refused it.

Gennadii: When I was dealing with the certification of our product in Europe, we spent the entire day with two experts trying to properly identify its name and adjust UGEARS to European laws. The final wording is the model for collecting.

We don’t want to adapt a product to construction set name. We are proud that it is unique. The magic of gears is truly fascinating. And the fact that a wood construction can move fuels buyer’s interest. We don’t even want to insert an electric motor into a model – that’s another league.

When did you realize that your hobby has become a job?

Denys: There wasn’t a noticeable transition. I’ve been dealing with construction sets for a long time, developing interesting models. Then I met Gennadii at startup exchange, and we started this business. I’ve been thinking for a long time about what can be done in Ukraine, with domestic equipment and with little money. Before UGEARS, I had more expensive project but it did not bring good income. And wooden models for collecting have become a real success.

As I’ve already said, it all started with the Ukrainian exchange project, which I visited twice. I had several cooperation offers from Ukrainian investors, but Gennadii was the one with the most adequate and reasonable development plan.

To be continued.