Ukrainian technology companies are demonstrating remarkable resilience, continuing to operate, grow, and innovate more than four years after Russia's full-scale invasion. From edtech unicorns to mental health platforms, startups across the country are not merely surviving but actively building, with key hubs in Kyiv and Lviv adapting to the challenges of war. This sustained activity is underpinned by special legal statuses for some firms and a collective determination to contribute to national strength.
The sector's vitality is evident in continued hiring and investment. Preply, an online language tutoring platform that achieved unicorn status earlier this year, plans to use its latest funding round to hire approximately 100 engineers globally, with one-third of its engineering staff already based in Ukraine. Venture capital firms, including 1991, Flyer One Ventures, and SMRK, remain active in the Ukrainian market.
Offices as Sanctuaries
In a winter marked by relentless attacks on energy infrastructure, technology offices have become crucial sanctuaries. Natali Trubnikova, Chief Marketing Officer at Kyiv-based IT consultancy Gart Solutions, described how locals have adapted to frequent power cuts with generators and power banks, though rising costs force careful usage.
“Our office has different generators so we have electricity, internet, and the office is warm and it’s open 24/7 so any Ukrainian team member can come to the office at any time,” stated Kirill Bigai, CEO of Preply. For smaller companies, coworking spaces like the LIFT99 Kyiv Hub, which was damaged in a Russian strike last August, have seen membership surge since reopening, serving as vital communal workspaces.
Innovation Across Sectors
While defence technology has drawn significant attention for its rapid deployment to the frontline, innovation spans multiple sectors. Aspichi, a startup originally founded in the United States in 2021, completely pivoted after the invasion. It now operates Luminify, a mixed-reality platform for mental healthcare that collaborates directly with military units and a dozen clinics to help Ukrainians cope with widespread wartime trauma.
“Everybody is suffering,” said Aspichi founder Victor Samoilenko. “My daughter celebrated several New Year’s and Christmas underground; so the effect is enormous.” The startup is among those granted special status, shielding key employees from military mobilization because their work is deemed to support the country.
Ecosystems Beyond the Capital
Kyiv remains Ukraine's primary startup hub, but Lviv in the west has grown significantly, attracting displaced tech workers. Venues like LEM Station, a renovated tram depot, symbolise its expanding ecosystem, bolstered by proximity to Poland. The city successfully hosted the IT Arena 2025 conference, attracting 6,450 participants from over 40 countries, showcasing both defence tech and a broader range of startups.
Ukrainian delegations continue to attend international tech events, such as Techarena in Stockholm, maintaining global connections. Industry professionals emphasise that, despite the immense psychological toll and physical danger, the drive to build and showcase success persists as a form of national resilience.