Inspiring the Next Generation

From Competition to World-Class Experience

The CoffeeProgrammers team, comprised of four high school students from Lubny, Mykolaiv, and Ivano-Frankivsk, took first place in the 2025 national tournament. As part of their award, they joined a three-day educational program at ETH Zürich, a university historically associated with Albert Einstein, John von Neumann, and 21 Nobel Prize laureates.

The program was made possible through the partnership of Star for Life Ukraine, Kyiv School of Economics, and Sigma Software Group, with the openness and support of ETH Zürich. The goal was to inspire students in their educational choices, introduce them to the European IT ecosystem, and showcase the opportunities of world-class technical education.

Inside the Tournament

This year’s tournament brought together over 300 participants, 82 teams, and an international jury of 12 experts. Organized by the Star for Life Ukraine charity fund together with the Ukrainian State Center for Extracurricular Education of the Ministry of Education and Science, the tournament combined several weeks of mentorship, team-based work, and a final stage in the Carpathians.

In the offline camp, finalists not only worked on their final challenge – creating an online petitions service for schools – but also joined English lessons, debates, art therapy, and mountain hikes.

Learning at ETH Zürich

During their stay in Switzerland, the winners explored ETH Zürich’s historic lecture halls, cutting-edge laboratories, and centers of innovation. They visited:

• The micro- and nanotechnology cleanroom, used jointly by ETH and IBM for breakthrough research in carbon materials, nanophotonics, and spintronics.
• The digital systems and design automation lab, the cybersecurity center, and the D-ITET project-based learning hub, where students tackle energy efficiency and smart sensor applications.
• ETH Zürich’s archives and art collection, walking in the footsteps of Albert Einstein and Thomas Mann, and experiencing how science and culture merge.

The program also included a visit to Google’s Zurich office, the second-largest globally, with over 5,000 specialists. Ukrainian engineers working there shared their career paths, gave practical advice, and inspired the students to dream bigger.

The trip concluded with a hike in the Swiss Alps to Mount Rigi – the “Queen of the Mountains” – and a tour of Lake Lucerne.

Voices of Inspiration

“This is not just a prize for winning a tournament. This is an investment in the future of Ukrainian developers, who are already demonstrating exceptional abilities,” say the organizers.

One of the winners, Yaroslav Holobyn, reflected:

“It was incredible. These three days felt like months, filled with unforgettable experiences. I’m deeply grateful for this inspiring journey. You made dreams come true – dreams we didn’t even dare to dream!”

Long-Term Partnership: Star for Life Ukraine and Sigma Software

This educational trip is part of Sigma Software’s broader partnership with Star for Life Ukraine, a charitable foundation helping unlock teenagers’ potential through education, mentorship, and innovation.

Sigma Software has been a strategic partner of Star for Life Ukraine since its establishment, helping launch its operations and initiate a range of educational projects for Ukrainian children. Together we have:

• Opened four Star for Life Labs (three in Kharkiv, one in Romny).
• Hosted open lessons in Sigma Software offices in Ukraine and abroad.
• Organized regular mentoring sessions with our IT specialists.
• Helped equip 11 schools with computer labs.
• Supported 400+ children with laptops and PCs.
• Enabled over 25,000 students to participate in courses and programs.

These efforts go beyond programming. They build resilience, soft skills, and confidence, creating a community of support and trust.

As Valery Krasovsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Sigma Software Group, Chairman of the Board of Star for Life Ukraine, emphasizes:

“Supporting young talent in Ukraine is not charity – it’s an investment in the future of the IT industry and the country itself. We are proud to stand behind initiatives that give children real opportunities, broaden their horizons, and prove that they can achieve anything.”

Together with Star for Life Ukraine and our partners, we will continue to invest in educational programs that empower young Ukrainians to pursue ambitious goals and achieve great things.