In today’s world, stories of young entrepreneurs launching startups are becoming more common. Yet the journey of 11-year-old Platon Nechayev from Karaganda stands out: he managed to combine fairy tales, a passion for ecology, and modern technology into a project that has already gained international recognition — EcoPlaton.
From drawings to books
Platon’s idea began with a simple drawing contest. Inspired by his illustrations, he decided to turn them into a storybook. His first tale was dedicated to Appak Bayzhanov, the young man who discovered coal in Karaganda in 1833. Later, he created a new character — Karagash, a symbolic figure representing the shrub after which Karaganda was named. Karagash became a guardian of greenery, cleanliness, and a brighter future for the city.
The books were initially printed in small runs with family funds and sold at fairs. To Platon’s surprise, both children and their parents showed strong interest in the eco-themed fairy tales.
Fairy tales with an ecological message
Over time, Platon’s stories began to take on deeper meaning. They were no longer just entertainment — they became lessons in ecology and visions of Kazakhstan’s sustainable future.
In one story, a magical bracelet brings gas to villages, freeing residents from coal smoke and heavy labor. In another, children win a grant, build their own laboratory, and develop plants that clean the environment and medicines for previously incurable diseases. Through imagination, his tales highlight real opportunities for change.
From local fairs to the global stage
Platon’s works soon moved beyond Karaganda. His book was showcased at the Paralympic Games in Paris, translated into French, and distributed in limited editions. Later, his idea was recognized at a UNESCO Conference in Saudi Arabia, where EcoPlaton was presented as one of the most innovative projects.
He also took part in ComicCon Astana, where he met well-known actors and introduced his work to fans of pop culture. These experiences demonstrated that his stories resonate with very diverse audiences.
EcoPlaton: technology for nature
In 2025, Platon launched his first startup — EcoPlaton, a Telegram bot that combines storytelling with ecological action. The bot offers eco-fairy tales, audio guides, quests along nature trails, and even a carbon footprint calculator. Users complete tasks, earn points, and exchange them for real results — like planting trees or purchasing seeds.
So far, Platon and his team have planted 50 trees in Karaganda, funded in part by book sales. In September, EcoPlaton will partner with Kazakh Tourism and Visit Aqmola to launch Kazakhstan’s first gamified eco-trail in Borovoe’s Bolektau route, featuring audio guides in three languages.
Inspiration and future plans
Platon is not working alone — EcoPlaton is a team effort. His mother, Irina, helps with organization, while developers and eco-consultants bring the stories to life in code. Together they joined the IT-hub Terricon Valley incubator, where they won a 500,000 tenge grant and 1 million tenge worth of cloud services from VK Cloud.
The young founder even wrote a letter to Elon Musk, though he prefers to keep its content private. “If he ever replies, it would inspire children all over the world,” Platon says. His dream is to see EcoPlaton collaborate with space projects one day.
Looking forward, he hopes to develop a mobile application, publish stories in multiple languages, and build partnerships with eco-tourism companies.
Platon’s advice to other young dreamers:
- Believe in yourself, even when others doubt you.
- Don’t fear rejection — it’s just another step toward success.
- Choose an idea that not only benefits you but also helps protect the environment.
