Ukrainian internet entrepreneur Alexey Mas has left his position as head of the innovation laboratory at Kyivstar to launch a new project called «Craft Social Networks». His last working day at the company was July 31, 2019. The project is designed to provide a platform for creating separate social networks tailored to specific companies, communities, and user groups.
Mas describes the goal of the project as returning a distributed internet experience to users through social networks. He believes that existing major platforms have become overly centralized, leaving businesses and communities in need of their own tools for communication, engagement, and audience management. The concept involves building individual online communities that can be customized according to client requirements, rather than offering a single, universal social network.
«Craft Social Networks» aims to occupy a niche between Facebook and Telegram. On Facebook, companies and communities can create groups but remain dependent on the platform's rules and algorithms. Telegram allows audiences to gather in channels and chats, but it offers limited capabilities for complex community structures, gamification, and user engagement management. Mas envisions a product that gives clients more control and flexibility.
The project involves creating social networks tailored to specific audiences, themes, and usage scenarios. According to Mas, the product should be useful for companies that need not only to broadcast information to users but also to organize sustainable interaction within a community. Each network can be adapted to meet the unique needs of its target audience.
In the initial phase, the project team plans to gather technical requirements, assemble a team, attract investors, and prepare several prototypes. From these prototypes, the main product version will be selected. The project also considers launching a mobile web version and developing applications for Android and iOS.
To test the project, Mas needs early adopters. He aims to attract companies and communities willing to test the model of individual social networks in practice. At the time of launch, the project already has several potential clients. The financial model involves attracting a title investor and a syndicate of small investors. Syndicate members can enter the project with small amounts and receive a share depending on the size of their investment. Mas believes this approach should help gather not only capital but also a community of people interested in developing a new model of social networks.
Alexey Mas is a well-known Ukrainian internet entrepreneur. He has developed a number of online projects, including Mail.ua, Infostore.org, and «Tree of Friends», and was one of the co-founders of iForum. For the last three years, he worked at Kyivstar on innovative directions. Mas views the new project as an independent business with global potential. His task is to create a tool that allows companies and communities to launch their own social networks without being completely dependent on large centralized platforms.
The concept of «craft» social networks reflects a broader trend toward decentralization and customization in the tech industry. As users and organizations seek more control over their online interactions, platforms that offer tailored solutions may gain traction. Mas's project aims to address this demand by providing a flexible infrastructure for community building.
While the project is still in its early stages, Mas's track record in the Ukrainian internet sector suggests he has the experience to navigate the challenges of launching a new platform. The success of «Craft Social Networks» will depend on its ability to attract clients, secure funding, and deliver a product that meets the needs of diverse communities. If successful, it could offer a viable alternative to the dominant social media platforms.
