SHOTAM
SHOTAM is an independent Ukrainian nonprofit online media outlet, founded in 2018, publishing positive news and inspiring human-interest stories about Ukrainians across a website, video, and social channels, funded primarily by reader donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersUkraine, Ukraine
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What SHOTAM does
SHOTAM (ШОТАМ) is an independent Ukrainian online media outlet founded in 2018 and registered as a Civil Organization (ГО «Криголам»). Its core product is the news website shotam.info, which publishes positive news and human-interest stories about Ukrainians creating, building, and supporting change — including themed verticals on business with soul (Бізнес з душею), women in uniform (Жінка у формі), Ukrainian flowers (Український цвіт), and community resilience. The platform is built on a standard WordPress architecture with CDN image delivery (cdn.shotam.info) and distributes content across a multi-channel footprint including YouTube, Instagram, Telegram, and X, with multimedia formats spanning articles, video, interactive 'Гортайки', and events. SHOTAM is JTI (Journalism Trust Initiative) certified under media identifier R40-06898.
SHOTAM serves two identified segments: a primary audience of Ukrainian readers seeking positive news content (especially relevant in a wartime context), and a secondary segment of Ukrainian diaspora and international readers. Content is distributed free to all readers; revenue is generated from a tiered monthly subscription/donation program (100₴ to 500₴ across four tiers: Вогник, Добродій, Натхненник, Крила), one-time donations (250₴/350₴/550₴), sponsored partner content ('Партнерський матеріал'), and grant funding. The organization claims approximately 1,013 monthly supporters as a recurring donor base. Strategic partnerships include Kryholam.org (the operating civic organization) and KSE Foundation, through which SHOTAM editorial covers beneficiaries of the #СТВОРЮЙ! (CREATE!) state-backed grant program.
The business model is a community-led, donation-driven nonprofit media operation with no disclosed revenue, headcount, or financial statements. Go-to-market relies on content marketing and word-of-mouth rather than paid acquisition. Revenue mechanics are diversified across recurring reader support, one-time contributions, sponsored content, and grants, but the underlying monetization density per reader is modest given low UAH subscription values and a free-access content model.
SHOTAM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SHOTAM
- Legal name
- ГО «Криголам»
- Website
- https://shotam.info
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- SHOTAM is an independent Ukrainian nonprofit online media outlet, founded in 2018, publishing positive news and inspiring human-interest stories about Ukrainians across a website, video, and social channels, funded primarily by reader donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where SHOTAM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ukraine
- HQ country
- Ukraine
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SHOTAM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Monthly Subscriptions/Donations: Reader-supported media model with monthly donation tiers: 100₴ (Вогник), 200₴ (Добродій), 300₴ (Натхненник), 500₴ (Крила). 1013 people support #ШОТАМ monthly. Cancel anytime.
- One-time Donations: One-time payment options at 250₴, 350₴, 550₴ for readers not ready for monthly commitment.
- Sponsored Content: Partner content sections ('Партнерський матеріал') appear alongside editorial stories.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Вогник (Fire) - 100₴/month - Small but regular contribution to independent media |
| Subscription | Monthly | Добродій (Benefactor) - 200₴/month - Being a benefactor means investing in #ШОТАМ changes |
| Subscription | Monthly | Натхненник (Inspirer) - 300₴/month - Most frequently chosen level that best supports stable team work |
| Subscription | Monthly | Крила (Wings) - 500₴/month - For those who want to support #ШОТАМ at maximum |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | One-time: 250₴, 350₴, 550₴ options |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
SHOTAM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SHOTAM is an independent Ukrainian online media outlet that publishes free positive news articles, long-form features ("Тексти"), video content, and inspiring human-interest stories about Ukrainians. It is operated by the civil organization ГО «Криголам» (Kryholam) and monetizes through voluntary reader donations and limited sponsored content rather than paywalls.
Product overview
SHOTAM is a Ukrainian online media company focused on positive news and inspiring stories. The primary product is the shotam.info news website, which publishes content across multiple formats including news articles, video content, feature texts, and stories about Ukrainians making a difference. The platform also enables story submissions from readers and accepts donations to support independent journalism.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SHOTAM News Website (shotam.info) Free online media platform publishing positive Ukrainian news articles, long-form features (Тексти), good stories (Добрі історії), video content, and interactive formats (Гортайки). Targeted at Ukrainian readers and the Ukrainian diaspora seeking uplifting content about compatriots.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1013 people support #ШОТАМ monthly
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use SHOTAM
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
SHOTAM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
SHOTAM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- ГО "Криголам" (Kryholam)coreOrganizational entity that operates #ШОТАМ media outlet. Accepts donations on behalf of the media. Registered as a civic organization in Ukraine.
- KSE FoundationmajorKSE Foundation implements the grant program #СТВОРЮЙ! (CREATE!) initiated by Ministry of Economy, Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, in partnership with Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund. SHOTAM coverage includes stories about grant beneficiaries.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
SHOTAM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Hromadske: Long-running Ukrainian independent online media outlet focused on civic and human-interest reporting. Comparable in product (online news publishing), target audience (Ukrainian readers), and nonprofit/grant-supported funding model.
- The Kyiv Independent: Ukrainian English-language independent media outlet launched in 2021, primarily reader/donor-supported. Directly comparable as a Ukrainian independent news brand built on community funding and digital distribution.
- Ukrainska Pravda: One of Ukraine's largest independent online news outlets, originally founded as an online-first publication. Comparable in online news publishing, Ukrainian audience focus, and digital distribution model.
- The Kyiv Post: Ukraine-focused online news outlet with English-language coverage and digital distribution. Comparable in online news product, Ukrainian subject matter, and digital-first audience model.
- Positive News: UK-based independent media outlet whose entire editorial mission is constructive/positive news. Comparable in editorial positioning (positive journalism), reader-supported nonprofit model, and digital distribution.
- Good News Network: Independent online news outlet dedicated to positive and uplifting stories. Comparable in mission (positive news), digital-first distribution, and reader-supported nonprofit structure.
- The Marshall Project: US nonprofit newsroom focused on a single thematic beat (criminal justice) with donor-supported funding. Comparable in mission-driven, topic-specific nonprofit journalism with digital distribution and recurring donor base.
- De Correspondent (The Correspondent): Pioneer reader-funded, ad-free online journalism platform. Directly comparable on community-led GTM, subscription/recurring donor model, and digital-first independent news positioning.
Broad incumbents
- ProPublica: Major US nonprofit investigative journalism outlet funded primarily by donations. Comparable in nonprofit/reader-supported business model, mission-driven journalism positioning, and editorial standards disclosures.
- Suspilne (UA:PBC): Ukrainian public broadcaster operating across TV, radio, and digital. Comparable as a major Ukrainian news outlet covering similar ground; broader scale and public funding versus SHOTAM's nonprofit reader-supported model.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SHOTAM social profiles
Digital presenceSHOTAM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SHOTAM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
SHOTAM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SHOTAM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SHOTAM
What does SHOTAM do?
SHOTAM is an independent Ukrainian online media outlet that publishes free positive news articles, long-form features ("Тексти"), video content, and inspiring human-interest stories about Ukrainians. It is operated by the civil organization ГО «Криголам» (Kryholam) and monetizes through voluntary reader donations and limited sponsored content rather than paywalls.
Is SHOTAM a public or private company?
SHOTAM is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SHOTAM founded?
SHOTAM was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SHOTAM based?
SHOTAM is headquartered in Ukraine, Ukraine, in the Europe region.
How does SHOTAM make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Monthly Subscriptions/Donations are the primary driver. The others are one-time Donations and sponsored Content.
Who are SHOTAM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Hromadske, The Kyiv Independent, Ukrainska Pravda, The Kyiv Post, Positive News, Good News Network, The Marshall Project and De Correspondent (The Correspondent). Broad incumbents are ProPublica and Suspilne (UA:PBC).
Does SHOTAM have an API?
No public API is recorded for SHOTAM.