THREE years ago, on February 24, Russian troops launched an invasion from Belarus, illegally crossing Ukraine’s borders and targeting the capital, Kyiv. Attacks also originated from the northeast, impacting Kharkiv. Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv, and Dnipro are just a few of the Ukrainian cities wounded and scarred by Russian aggression. Yet, these same cities continue to thrive as tech hubs, hosting thousands of IT specialists and fostering innovation.
As the campaign for the upcoming EU–Ukraine Tech Summit 2025 in Warsaw begins, it’s worthwhile to note that Ukraine’s technology industry continues to demonstrate innovation and resilience amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. The sector has consistently adapted and grown, becoming a cornerstone of the Ukrainian economy and a vital player in global tech markets.
According to a Gartner report, in 2024, Ukraine’s tech industry employed nearly 363,000 IT professionals and contributed nearly 5% to 6.5% of the country’s GDP, with annual IT exports reaching $7 billion. This robust IT ecosystem is fueled by startups, the return of tech companies previously impacted by the war, and international partnerships.
The industry’s resilience is evident in its ability to attract significant investment and maintain steady growth. Since 2017, Ukrainian startups have achieved a remarkable 25% year-over-year growth rate. Locating in cities farther away from the violence has created thriving tech hubs. Lviv, for example, boasts approximately 460 tech companies and produces over 4,000 tech graduates annually. Diya City now hosts ARX Robotics, a German developer of autonomous modular unmanned ground systems.
ARX Robotics’ GEREON RCS, a multi-purpose tracked platform, is now serving with the Ukrainian Armed Forces, as well as the armies of Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, and NATO missions in Lithuania and Slovakia. The semi-autonomous ground crawling robot delivers supplies and evacuates wounded soldiers, reducing risk to personnel. Ukraine received 30 units in February.
These hubs not only drive local economic activity but also position Ukraine as a global leader in outsourcing for European companies, similar to the Philippines’ role with US businesses, and software development.
International tech giants have also played a crucial role in supporting Ukraine’s tech ecosystem. Google has been instrumental through its “Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund,” which provides equity-free funding and mentorship to Ukrainian startups. Similarly, Microsoft continues to offer technological support and cybersecurity solutions to safeguard critical infrastructure. GitLab, founded by a Ukrainian entrepreneur, remains an emblem of the country’s entrepreneurial spirit and actively collaborates with local developers. Oracle and IBM have also expanded their operations in Ukraine, further cementing its status as a global tech hub.
This international support has also extended to the burgeoning defense technology sector. Since the start of the conflict, the number of defense tech companies has surged from 20 to over 200. These firms are at the forefront of developing cutting-edge technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence (AI) systems, and electronic warfare tools. The government backed Brave1 initiative has attracted $40 million in investments for defense innovation and aims to secure $100 million by the end of 2025. This focus on dual-use technologies not only strengthens national security but also opens new avenues for international collaboration.
The cybersecurity market is another area of rapid expansion, projected to reach $208.8 million by 2029 with an annual growth rate of 8.54%. Initiatives like ReSkill UA are addressing workforce development needs by training professionals in emerging technologies such as AI-driven threat detection. The European Union has invested €90.5 million in cybersecurity research for Ukraine in 2025 alone.
Last year’s Ukrainian Tech conference, held in Warsaw, spotlighted the sector’s capacity to adapt and innovate in the face of adversity. Statistics presented during that meeting revealed that software developers in Ukraine earn competitive salaries ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 monthly, while team leads can make up to $75,000 annually. The country produced 31,500 IT graduates in 2023—nearly double the number from previous years—ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for both local and international markets.
“Since the war escalated in February 2022, we launched the Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund, which supported 50 startups with up to $100,000 in equity financing. We received nearly seven hundred applications,” 1 said Michal Kramarz, Head of Google for Startups in Central & Eastern Europe, who also leads the Google Campus in Warsaw, at last year’s conference.
This year, the EU–Ukraine Tech Summit 2025, which will be held on April 7, will highlight one of the country’s major challenges: global market turbulence and changes in the structure of demand, which have negatively impacted revenue for many Ukrainian IT firms. These factors have forced companies to enhance their adaptability, innovation, and creative marketing strategies. Even under these adverse conditions, Ukraine’s tech industry remains a vital sector of the national economy and continues to demonstrate resilience. The summit will likely address strategies for navigating these challenges and ensuring the continued growth of this vital sector.
