The second cohort of the Ready2Scale Acceleration Program is empowering Europe’s most ambitious deep-tech startups with expert mentorship, strategic resources, and €60,000 in funding. One of the standout teams is Valvur, an Estonian startup on a mission to make the digital world safer for children.
Valvur (which means “Guardian” in Estonian, reflecting their vision of creating a protector for online life) is a gamified security layer designed to protect children and empower parents through AI-powered threat detection, blockchain-based identity, and engaging, personalised digital safety education.
Founded by Ignat Bobrovich—a former professional esports athlete, seasoned industry executive, and author of the Palgrave Macmillan-published book about esports—Valvur draws on deep-rooted experience in building impactful tech solutions. The technical helm is steered by CTO Pavel Shustenko, a senior engineer and a father of two girls, who previously built two neobanks from the ground up among his many projects as a software developer.
The following questions are answered by Ignat Bobrovich, CEO and Founder, and Pavel Shustenko, CTO and Co-Founder of Valvur.
How did the idea for your startup originate?
The spark behind Valvur was born from deeply personal experience. As a teenager, founder Ignat Bobrovich used esports not merely as a pastime, but as a tool to overcome bullying, rebuild self-esteem, and boost academic performance. Since 2014, he has worked across the esports sector with a mission to help children and parents improve their lives through meaningful engagement with games. While writing the book Esports: Insider Tips on Succeeding in the Industry that is Shaping the Future of Entertainment in 2023, Ignat conducted interviews and research that revealed a critical gap: the lack of trust between kids and parents in regard to games and online activities. With over 70% of kids experiencing at least one cyberthreat, it was clear that digital safety needed a new solution. Backed by the Estonian Information System Authority (RIA) and Tehnopol, Valvur was launched to create safer, smarter online environments for families.
What have been your biggest challenges and most significant achievements so far?
Our greatest challenge was stepping beyond the familiar boundaries of conventional esports to reimagine what true impact could look like for families and children. Identifying a meaningful, scalable angle in such a complex space wasn’t easy. But with the support of Tehnopol, RIA, and Startup Wise Guys, we shaped Valvur into a product that empowers families through digital safety education, AI, blockchain, and gamification.
What drives you to continue, even during difficult times?
Our mission to enhance the lives of children and parents through digital safety is what keeps us going. Kids are taught to cross the street safely, but not how to navigate online risks. In 2024, there was a 1,325% increase in cases involving generative AI, with nearly 100 sextortion reports daily. A study revealed that 65% of children aged 8–12 were contacted by strangers online. These alarming statistics push us to keep improving Valvur—because kids deserve better protection.
What sets your startup apart from competitors?
First of all, we believe that our important differentiator is our mission—we want kids to be safe online and help parents increase trust with their children. And we want kids to spend more time doing real-life activities, as well as more time learning, not just playing. We have a unique fusion of esports expertise, behavioural psychology, and cutting-edge security technology—crafted not to surveil, but to empower. Our CMO, Catherine, brings profound psychological insight that helps us build genuine trust and engagement with young users. Rather than relying on restrictions or fear-based tactics, we create a positive, gamified pathway to digital safety that resonates with families in their own language.
At the same time, we’re future-facing in our technology choices—integrating responsible AI and Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). While PQC may seem ahead of its time, we’re investing today to protect what matters tomorrow. Because, ask yourself, what do you prefer—try to explain to a child why they lost irreplaceable digital memories, or spend a bit of your time and a few euros to increase the safety of kids online?
What are your expectations from the Ready2Scale Acceleration Programme, and how do you think it will benefit your startup?
Our core expectation from the Ready2Scale Acceleration Programme is to open new markets—and it has delivered. The team provides exceptional access to key people and events, and the insights we’ve gained into unfamiliar ecosystems have been invaluable. We also hoped the programme would help us secure new funding, and it has: with Ready2Scale’s support, we successfully attracted fresh pre-seed investment to propel Valvur forward.
Where do you see your startup in one year? And in five years?
Within a year, we aim for Valvur to be recognised as the go-to safety layer for gaming families—trusted by communities, schools, and game developers alike. In five years, our vision is to become the global standard for online safety in gaming and esports. With digital interactions transforming through AI agents and technologies we can barely imagine, the world we will be living in soon requires bold, secure design. Our goal is to ensure these future interactions remain secure, empowering, and profoundly human-centred.
Beyond protection, we see Valvur as a bridge—connecting kids and parents not only with each other, but with the physical world, using their shared passion for gaming as a catalyst for education, wellbeing, and real-world engagement. We want to be the silent but essential layer that shields families from online threats of every kind. Just as seatbelts and child safety seats were once rare and optional, we believe digital safeguards—especially for interactions with AI and immersive online ecosystems—will become non-negotiable sooner rather than later.
Which books, podcasts, publications, or influencers do you follow and recommend to other entrepreneurs?
We draw inspiration from a broad spectrum of sources, balancing timeless wisdom with contemporary insight. A personal benchmark is to dive into the universe of at least one Nobel Prize-winning author each year, alongside biographies of impactful figures across business, sport, and beyond. We also find immense value in historical podcasts, which offer a rich lens through which to understand human nature, strategy, and the recurring patterns that shape both history and innovation.
Valvur is not currently hiring for specific roles, but the team remains open to connecting with talented individuals. They are especially interested in profiles with experience in content production, AI, app marketing, cybersecurity, or working with key opinion leaders. Those who resonate with Valvur’s mission are welcome to reach out via hr@valvur.gg.
The team is also actively seeking distribution partners to help expand Valvur’s reach in B2G and B2B markets. Locally rooted, growth-driven partners passionate about a safer digital future are encouraged to get in touch at partner@valvur.gg.
For more information, visit https://valvur.gg.