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The IT sector in Ukraine has become a symbol of resilience and innovation despite the devastating impact of russia’s full-scale invasion. Maria Shevchuk, the Executive Director of the IT Ukraine Association, shared in an interview with the German publication Venture Capital how the IT industry has adapted to the challenging wartime conditions, the role of the IT Ukraine Association in supporting the sector, and the key technologies attracting global investors.
Despite the full-scale war, Ukraine’s IT sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience, flexibility, and the ability to adapt quickly. Thanks to remote work, the use of alternative energy sources, and technologies such as Starlink, companies have managed to ensure business continuity even in the most difficult conditions.
According to the “Digital Tiger: the Market Power of Ukrainian IT — 2024” research, the IT sector is the only one among the top five export industries whose share has increased in the past five years. Over the last six years, Ukrainian IT companies have attracted nearly $15 billion in investments, which became possible due to the active interest of both local and international investors. Ukraine’s IT sector remains vital to the national economy during wartime, ranking second in the country’s economy (GDP) and first in export services.
Special attention should also be given to new fields where the Ukrainian IT sector is developing unique expertise, particularly in cybersecurity, defense technologies and digital intelligence. The forced circumstances have given the country valuable experience, which is now serving as a competitive advantage in the global market.
The IT Ukraine Association actively supports IT companies during these difficult times, providing the necessary resources for development and adaptation to new conditions, and uniting over 225 leading companies (100,000 representatives). Key areas of activity for ITU include the establishment of committees such as AgriTech, CyberTech, EdTech, FinTech, and AI, aimed at stimulating the development of new technologies and innovations.
The Association is actively involved in shaping the Ukrainian Digital Innovation Development Strategy until 2050, collaborating with partners to identify and eliminate software vulnerabilities in the country’s defense, and contributing to strengthening the cybersecurity resilience of both business and the public sector.
The ITU Advocacy Center provides expert assistance to ITU member companies on legal and financial-economic matters, fostering effective interaction with the Ukrainian government. IT Ukraine Association also organises educational and networking events that help unite the IT community and strengthen its influence in the global market.
Ukrainian startups are actively using tools to manage risks and build trust with investors, particularly through the support of international programs. One such tool is the Swedish Bavery program, supported by the EU. Thanks to this program, in 2024, 59 Ukrainian startups received grants of up to €50,000 each, enabling them to continue their development even during the war.
Additionally, the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF) is an important tool for supporting entrepreneurs in the early stages of development, such as pre-seed and seed. It provides not only funding but also mentorship and access to international partnerships. The USF’s cooperation with international funds and organisations helps develop innovations in Ukraine. Over 7,000 applications have been submitted to the USF’s programs, and more than 350 events have been organised to support startups both within Ukraine and internationally.
Due to the challenges associated with the war, Ukraine’s IT sector has focused on strengthening defense technologies, including drones, battle management systems, and analytics solutions. AI-based software developed by Ukrainian companies is widely used in security, risk management, and business. Moreover, among the priority development areas are cybersecurity, cloud technologies and GreenTech.
