Alex Shevchenko is a self-made Ukrainian-Canadian technology entrepreneur and the co-founder of Grammarly, the massively successful AI-powered writing assistant. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Shevchenko grew up in the difficult period following the collapse of the Soviet Union, a time that fostered resilience and a necessity for creative problem-solving.

He met his co-founders, Max Lytvyn and Dmytro Lider, during his academic years at the International Christian University in Kyiv, where they collaborated on their first digital venture. Their initial shared experience was in digital education, launching an anti-plagiarism software called 'MyDropbox' (later renamed 'WriteCheck') in the early 2000s. This foundation in academic software and a shared belief in leveraging AI for communication were the blueprints for their flagship billion-dollar creation.

Alex Shevchenko’s career trajectory is defined by a commitment to improving communication through technology. His first company, 'MyDropbox', was a direct response to a real-world academic need: tackling plagiarism. This provided the three co-founders with invaluable experience in building and scaling web-based, educational software for a global audience.

The truly pivotal moment came in 2009 when Shevchenko, Lytvyn, and Lider launched Grammarly. Recognizing that poor communication was a universal problem, they applied their expertise in linguistics and algorithms to create an AI that helps users write clearly and effectively. Grammarly was initially bootstrapped and grew rapidly through organic adoption. In 2017, it secured a major $110 million funding round, cementing its unicorn status. By 2021, a new round valued the company at a staggering $13 billion, making Shevchenko a Ukrainian-Canadian tech billionaire. His role has involved guiding the company’s product vision and operational execution, maintaining a decentralized leadership structure among the three founders.

Alex Shevchenko’s philanthropic efforts are strongly influenced by his Ukrainian heritage and his company’s core mission to improve communication and education. In 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine, the three co-founders established the 'Grammarly for Ukraine Fund'.

This initiative directed all net revenue from Russia and Belarus (which was blocked) and a significant portion of other profits toward supporting organizations that provided aid to the people of Ukraine. This was a powerful, highly visible commitment that went beyond simple corporate charity, focusing on humanitarian aid. Additionally, Grammarly's core product—providing free access to its service for educational institutions and focusing on clear communication—is a massive contribution to global literacy and professional development.