Meet Maksym Dovgopolyi, Founder & CEO of Tender Navigator

Tell us more about Tender Navigator

Tender Navigator is an AI-powered platform that helps companies discover, assess, and prioritise public tenders worldwide. It aggregates tenders from multiple official sources and uses AI to surface the most relevant business opportunities, saving time and improving bid success rates.

Please give some more details of your startup story: what was the “aha” moment that led to the idea for your startup?

The idea for Tender Navigator came from our own experience at SynergySoft. We spent hours every week searching across fragmented tender platforms, manually filtering opportunities, and still missed relevant tenders. Eventually, we realised this was not a one-off problem, but a systemic one for companies considering participation in tenders as a business development strategy across industries. It was perfectly suited for automation and AI.

So, what’s next for you, what’s a bold goal you’re chasing right now?

Our goal is to make Tender Navigator the default entry point for companies considering public tenders as a growth channel. We are focused on scaling global coverage, advancing AI agents that automatically qualify opportunities, and helping businesses move from searching for tenders to consistently winning the right ones.

Which decision had the most unexpected positive impact on your startup?

Probably the most impactful decision was challenging ourselves to move beyond being a professional services company and becoming a product company. Launching Tender Navigator brought new energy to the team, changed how we think, and created real enthusiasm. We did not just build a tool, we started believing in a product we truly love.

How did you build your team, and what helps you maintain your startup culture?

Our team comes from our professional services company, SynergySoft. We had already built strong delivery discipline, proven commercial execution, and deep expertise in our field. With that foundation, we decided to take the step toward becoming a product company and launch Tender Navigator. Our culture is built on professionalism, ownership, and the confidence that comes from knowing how to deliver.

If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently? What are your biggest learnings?

Our biggest learning is that real feedback from practitioners shapes the product faster and better than assumptions. We held many meetings with experts in bid writing and learned a great deal from them. Building something useful is less about perfect planning and more about listening, iterating, and continuously improving.

Building a startup requires resilience, how do you stay focused during tough times?

Resilience is part of our DNA. The core team is Ukrainian, and resilience is a daily reality for us. In addition, our background as a professional services company trained us to be disciplined, pragmatic, and execution-focused. Together, this helps us stay calm, focused, and move forward even in challenging situations.

One piece of advice for someone who is just starting out with their startup?

Build something real, not something perfect. Talk to users early, stay disciplined, and do not be afraid to start small. Momentum comes from consistently solving real problems, not from chasing big ideas without execution.

What’s your outlook on the future of the Swiss startup scene, and how can it compete internationally?

Switzerland has the fundamentals: talent, stability, and trust. To compete globally, Swiss startups must think internationally from day one, step outside the local comfort zone, and combine Swiss quality with global speed. Those who manage both will stand out internationally.

What value do you see in being part of the Swiss Startup Association?

For me, being part of the Swiss Startup Association is a great way to learn from other founders and stay connected to the ecosystem. It is valuable both for sharing real experiences and for building relationships that help startups grow in a practical and grounded way.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Building a startup is rarely a straight line. Put your ego aside, be ready to fail, stand up, and move forward. Collaboration and trust matter just as much as technology.

Connect with Maksym on LinkedIn!