Hi! My name is Kostia. I’m a Software Engineer at Grape Up. In my nomination, my colleagues recognized me as a “helpful and supportive person who always thinks about team members.”
In which year did you win the “Success of the Year” award, and why do you think you received it?
It was 2023 I was honored to be nominated and later recognized by my colleagues as SOTY. It was a time when I reinvented myself and explored what I was capable of. This journey led me in various directions, where I took on responsibilities beyond my role as a software developer. These efforts turned out to be valuable and were appreciated as contributions that went beyond my usual responsibilities. I realized that no single path defines growth, but each new one helps you evolve and shapes your identity.
How has winning SOTY award influenced you and what are key areas where you plan to contribute to Grape Up’s success moving forward?
It’s hard to measure how the award has influenced me because it wasn’t something I set out to achieve — it happened naturally as I followed my convictions. Teamwork is essential, but it’s built on strong individuals who bring their experience, skills, and ideas to the table. I aim to become an even more helpful and supportive team member, develop my competence across different areas, and bring greater value not only to my work but also to the people I collaborate with. There are many ways to achieve this, and I’m eager to explore them.
What are the most important values of Grape Up for you, and how do you strive to implement them in your daily work?
All values are important; two stand out to me as fundamental: “Listen&Speak” and “Win&Lose as a Team”. When these values are fully embraced, a team doesn’t just add the strengths of its members — it multiplies them. It amplifies members’ talents and minimizes their weaknesses. I believe that a well-managed team, built on open dialogue, collaboration, and trustful relationships between each member, naturally leads to “Deliver Value” and “Drive Change”.
