NAVI’s transformation: how the club changed with Maksym Krippa

By 2018, NAVI had gradually lost its leadership. Despite its huge popularity and loyal fan base, the club faced serious internal problems. It lacked a stable infrastructure, the training process did not meet requirements, and the selection of young talent seemed random. The results in CS:GO and Dota 2 were no longer impressive.

At that time, NAVI was owned by Olexandr Kokhanovsky, a founder and important figure in the history of Ukrainian esports. However, he realized that the club needed new ideas and investments in order to keep up with the global competition.

In 2018, Olexandr Kokhanovsky initiated talks with Maksym Krippa, aiming for more than just financial support. The discussions centered on a complete restructuring of the club’s management. This collaboration ultimately led to Krippa becoming the beneficiary of NAVI, a prominent esports organization recognized both in Ukraine and internationally.

The organization needed more than just a revamp of its teams; it needed radical changes at all levels. It lacked a clear strategy, effective management, and a long-term development plan.

Although the deal was finalized back in 2018, the change of ownership was only announced publicly in 2022. This marked the start of a new era for NAVI, with a focus on stability, infrastructure, and strategic development for years to come.

How NAVI restored its infrastructure

Prior to changes in the management model, NAVI’s Kyiv office focused primarily on administrative functions: coordination, document flow, and support. However, after the restart initiated by the new owner, the focus shifted to the players.

A penthouse was opened in Berlin for the European roster, which solved the time zone problem and provided stable training conditions.

Since 2019, the club has been actively developing young players. A vertical growth structure was created, which included camps, an academy with mentoring and psychological support, and became the basis for a new approach.

Key events include:

• May 2019 — launch of Esports Camp (CS:GO);
• May 4, 2019 — creation of NAVI Junior;
• 2019 — launch of NAVI Academy;
• August 2, 2022 — NAVI Youth (Dota 2);
• July 2024 — NAVI Visa Academy (CS2).

A much broader focus was placed on multi-gaming, with the addition of teams in PUBG, Valorant, Apex Legends, Free Fire, Brawl Stars, and even chess. This allowed NAVI to expand its markets to Asia and Latin America.

The media strategy underwent significant changes: a new style, redesign, and graphics became the basis for communications. The club invested in its own production hub, which became a powerful content center — from vlogs to studios and documentaries.

Thanks to partnerships with brands such as Puma, Monster Energy, and Logitech, NAVI’s media products gained international recognition. Local initiatives, such as a partnership with Silpo in Lviv, helped popularize Ukrainian cyberculture.

The modern structure of NAVI: from management team to academies

Today, NAVI is not just an esports club, but a powerful system with 16 teams in various disciplines. The main focus is still on Counter-Strike, where the team wins top trophies and international recognition. The academy also makes a significant contribution: its graduates, such as npl and B1t, are already proving themselves at the highest level. npl played for the main team for some time and now plays for another Ukrainian club, while B1t continues to consistently defend NAVI’s colors.

In 2022, the NAVI Javelins women’s team was formed and gained popularity, but its activities are currently suspended. On the other hand, NAVI Junior achieved a historic result in 2025, entering the top 30 of the Valve ranking and becoming the most successful youth team in CS.

The club is actively scouting for promising players not only in Ukraine but also abroad, providing them with full support, from coaches to psychologists.

In 2022, NAVI quickly adapted: they organized relocation, opened new training bases, and ensured stable participation in tournaments, which allowed them to maintain the trust of fans and keep up the pace of work.

The club’s staff grew from 30 to over 200 people, and the academy became the main source of new talent. The focus on Ukrainian players strengthened NAVI’s position on the international stage, where they continue to dominate today.

NAVI’s financial model: club economics

Between 2018 and 2024, NAVI not only maintained its position among the leaders of global esports, but also achieved significant financial success. Over these six years, the club earned more than $17.3 million in prize money. The majority of this amount, approximately $11.5 million, came from CS:GO and CS2, another $5.3 million from Dota 2, and the rest from other games, including Apex Legends, Fortnite, and Brawl Stars.

Despite the situation in Ukraine, NAVI not only maintained its position but also strengthened it, winning over 15 international titles in Counter-Strike and winning majors and top leagues. The club also performed well in other games such as Dota 2, PUBG, and Rainbow Six.

The financial transformation was made possible by changes that took place after 2018, when the club underwent major reforms. Until then, NAVI had no clear strategy or structure. Initial investments of $1.5 million per year laid the foundation for further changes that allowed the club to become self-sustaining in less than a year.

Smart management, infrastructure development, and a focus on education have made NAVI a profitable project with annual revenues of several million dollars. Today, the club is focused not on short-term victories, but on creating a large-scale ecosystem that includes academies, new disciplines, and expansion into international markets. The numbers prove it: NAVI’s content has garnered over 571 million hours of views.

Under the leadership of Maksym Krippa, the club has made a significant leap forward. The management system has become organized, and investments in infrastructure have become effective. As a result, NAVI is not only maintaining its position but also continuing to expand, covering new disciplines, strengthening its media influence, and entering new markets.

Working with young players, an improved communication strategy, and consistent results create a solid foundation for the future. Today, NAVI is a brand with a clear development plan and a strong presence in global esports.