Maven Stands with Ukraine

On Monday, February 28, 2022, I sent the following message to all Maven customers. We share it here for everyone.

Valued Maven Client,

I am writing to inform you of Maven’s position on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impact on our business. This is particularly close to home for us. Mark Platosh, my co-founder and Maven’s CEO, is Ukrainian American, his family having fled to the United States during World War II. More importantly, since 2009, a large proportion of Maven’s global workforce is based in Ukraine – our primary development and operations center is located in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, where we employ a substantial number of people.

Our staff in Lviv touch every aspect of our business, from developing our software to building our consultant network to supporting our participants and customers. Much of the “behind the scenes” work that goes into delivering our expertise on demand, open talent, and market research panel services to our customers is done by that team. They are an integral part of our company, and our support for them is unwavering.

Maven unequivocally condemns Russian dictator Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked and unwarranted attack on free and independent Ukraine, and Belrusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko’s complicity in Putin’s war crimes. We stand by our Ukrainian colleagues, as well as all Ukrainians, in their struggle against Russia’s criminal efforts to conquer their territory and rob them of their right to self-determination.

As a result, effectively immediately, Maven will not transact business with any Russian or Belarusian companies or individuals. Individuals located in Russia and Belarus are no longer permitted to participate in or utilize Maven’s services. This restriction will remain in effect until Russia and Belarus fully withdraw all forces from Ukraine, formally recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty, and pledge to never again violate Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

We expect the impact of this new policy on you to be minimal. However, please be aware that we will not honor any requests to connect our clients with individuals in Russia or Belarus. This exclusion applies to all types of interactions, including verbal Consultations, Surveys, Panel, and Consulting Projects.

We also expect minimal impact to your experience with our platform and services, despite the challenges faced by our staff in Lviv. Please note:

• Our technology platform employs significant automation, minimizing the need for direct human interaction.
• All Maven servers, storage, and other hardware are located in the United States.
• Our non-Ukraine staff, including our Client Advisors here in the United States, are well trained in our systems and processes. They are more than capable of providing high quality support to you and our participants when needed.
• Nevertheless, we ask for your patience and understanding as we endure this difficult time. Should you have any questions or concerns about our ability to support you, please direct them to me.

We are in constant communication with our colleagues in Ukraine, and they understand that our top priority is their safety and that of their families. Moreover, we strongly support their efforts to contribute to the expulsion of the Russian invaders. They are patriots doing everything possible to save their country, at great peril to themselves. We honor and salute them, and hope you will join us in doing so as well.

Finally, to put a human face on the tragedy that has befallen Ukraine, I share the attached picture of some of our Lviv staff enjoying a Christmas celebration just a couple months ago, and I urge you to read this short essay about them and their struggle.

Слава Україні! Героям слава!
Slava Ukraini! Heroiam slava!
Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the Heroes!

Best regards,
Wyatt A. Nordstrom
Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer
Maven