EVI Safety Technology of Vladimir Ponomarev

When you spend a decade navigating the open seas, the dangers of maritime work become painfully clear. For Vladimir Ponomarev, it wasn’t just about surviving—it was about rethinking how safety could be done better. After years of witnessing avoidable accidents, he decided to turn his frustration into innovation. That’s how EVI Safety Technology was born: a company that uses cutting-edge AI to stop workplace accidents before they happen. Vladimir didn’t just want to improve safety; he wanted to revolutionize it.

A wake-up call at sea: where the idea was born

Vladimir’s story doesn’t start in a boardroom or at a university. It starts on the deck of a ship, with the smell of salt in the air and the constant, lurking danger of something going wrong. “When you’re out there, it’s just you, the crew, and the ocean. One mistake can be the difference between life and death,” he recalls.

But it wasn’t enough to just see the problems—Vladimir wanted solutions. "I saw too many accidents that were completely preventable. The existing safety protocols felt reactive, always dealing with problems after they happened. I knew technology could change that."

His fascination with how AI could proactively predict and prevent accidents drove him to leave life at sea and start something bigger: a business designed to bring maritime safety into the future.

From sea captain to tech captain: taking the helm of a new venture

For Vladimir, entrepreneurship wasn’t a shot in the dark. It was the next logical step. “I’ve always wanted to take on the responsibility of leading a team,” he says. But it wasn’t until he saw the potential for AI in the maritime world that the pieces clicked. "I realized there was a huge gap between traditional safety measures and what technology could actually do."

Starting EVI Safety Technology was his answer to that gap. He knew the industry was skeptical—after all, the maritime world isn’t known for embracing change. But Vladimir had something the competition didn’t: firsthand experience. "I’ve lived the challenges that our customers face. We don’t just throw tech at the problem—we understand the problem because we’ve been there."

"I’ve lived the challenges that our customers face."

A rough start: investing in his vision

Like any great entrepreneurial journey, Vladimir’s wasn’t without its bumps in the road. “I invested my own money to get EVI off the ground. That was tough, but it was the only way to really understand what the business needed.”

The initial stages were filled with lessons, some harder than others. “We quickly realized that financial planning wasn’t just about the present. It was about being prepared for the long haul.” Eventually, an investor came on board, helping EVI scale faster than expected.

What did Vladimir learn from the experience? “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Investing your own money is great, but there’s no shame in bringing others in when it’s time to grow. And always, always plan ahead.”

Outsmarting the competition: standing out in a crowded field

The world of maritime safety is filled with competitors, but Vladimir knew EVI had something they didn’t: real-world insight. “A lot of our competitors are great with tech, but they don’t have the experience of actually being at sea,” he says. “That’s where we stand out. Our team has lived it, so we can anticipate the problems our clients don’t even know they have yet.”

It’s not just about offering technology; it’s about offering a solution that’s rooted in reality. “We don’t just give our clients tools to use—we give them tools that solve the exact problems they’re facing, sometimes before they even realize those problems exist.”

Work-life balance: navigating the choppy waters of entrepreneurship

Being an entrepreneur is demanding, but Vladimir has found ways to maintain balance. “I swear by the Getting Things Done (GTD) method. It helps me prioritize, stay focused, and make sure I’m giving my all both at work and at home.” But he’s also realistic: “There’s no perfect system. Sometimes you just have to turn off your phone and be present.”

With a focus on clear priorities, Vladimir makes sure to carve out time for his family—something he says is just as important as running a successful business. “In the end, what’s the point of success if you don’t have time to enjoy it with the people who matter?”

"… sometimes before they even realize those problems exist."

Expanding horizons: EVI’s future beyond maritime

While maritime safety is where EVI made its mark, Vladimir’s ambitions go far beyond the sea. “The principles of what we do—preventing accidents before they happen—can apply to so many other industries. Security, construction, even industrial manufacturing. The potential is huge.”

Vladimir envisions a future where EVI isn’t just synonymous with maritime safety but becomes a leading name in workplace safety across multiple sectors. “We’re just getting started,” he says with a confident smile. “There’s a lot more to come.”

Words to live by: advice from the deck

For those looking to start their own business, Vladimir offers straightforward but invaluable advice: “Know your market. You can’t just dive in blind. Do your research, understand your customers, and make sure you’re solving real problems.”

And perhaps more importantly, he stresses the need to take risks. “You’re never going to have all the answers, but you have to move forward anyway. Take the risks, because they’re where the biggest rewards come from.”

But his most profound piece of advice is rooted in his experience at sea: “It’s better to regret something you’ve done than regret something you never tried.” It’s a mindset that has carried him from the deck of a ship to the head of a thriving company, and one that continues to guide him as he navigates the challenges of entrepreneurship.