This weekend marks the two-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal, unprovoked, and brutal invasion of Ukraine. Despite facing overwhelming odds and continued hiccups in the supplies of Western aid, Ukraine’s tech startup ecosystem has shown remarkable resilience.
For example, of the 511 tech companies based in Kharkiv before February 2022 — a city now known for regular Russian bombardment — 500 are still operating, according to Kharkiv’s tech “cluster” organization.
Tech companies in the West have also rallied around the sector, increasingly working with Ukrainian tech firms on a range of initiatives.
This week, Google launched its second ‘Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund’ with a budget of $10M to support Ukrainian startups during 2024 and 2025. Selected Ukrainian startups will receive up to $200,000 in equity-free funding, as well as Google mentorship, product support, and $300,000 in Google Cloud credits.
The EU-funded project ‘Seeds of Bravery’ programme has five programs to support Ukrainian tech startups with grants ranging from €10,000 to €50,000.
Ukraine’s tech sector has helped keep its economy afloat amid the war, contributing 4.9% (or $7.1 billion) to Ukraine’s GDP last year. The sector has shown growth and resilience amidst difficult circumstances, with the number of Ukrainians working in the tech sector increasing by over 7%.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian tech companies and startups have continued to make strides and secure funding, showing the ongoing vibrancy and potential of the country’s tech industry.
