Even amid the grinding realities of conflict, the technology ecosystem in Ukraine continues to grow, with companies demonstrating resilience and commercial ambition. When the edtech firm Preply reached unicorn status earlier this year, employees in its office in Kyiv marked the milestone with cake, a small but meaningful celebration in a country still living under wartime conditions.
The company plans to use proceeds from its latest funding round to recruit about 100 engineers across global teams, including in Ukraine where a significant portion of its engineering workforce remains based. Analysts say such developments illustrate that Ukrainian startups are not merely surviving but expanding despite the constraints of conflict.
Across the technology landscape, innovation continues in multiple sectors beyond defence technology, which has understandably attracted global attention for its rapid deployment to the battlefield. Startups are applying engineering expertise to areas such as education, health, and digital infrastructure, contributing to economic activity and knowledge development even as security conditions remain challenging.
One example is Aspichi, which pivoted from its original United States focused concept in 2021 to address psychological wellbeing in wartime Ukraine. Its platform, Luminify, provides mental health support in collaboration with military units and clinical institutions, helping individuals cope with trauma and emotional strain.
The demand for mental health services reflects the human cost of prolonged instability, affecting soldiers, veterans, and civilians alike. Families displaced from their homes and communities continue to experience significant psychological challenges, while those remaining in urban centres face daily uncertainty.
Aspichi founder Victor Samoilenko noted that his daughter has celebrated holidays underground due to air raid precautions, underscoring the emotional toll on ordinary citizens. Yet the company’s work with clinics and military groups demonstrates a commitment to using technology as a tool for healing and social support.
Workspaces and innovation hubs have also adapted to the conditions of war, becoming important refuges for productivity and collaboration. The co working community at LIFT99 Kyiv Hub reopened after sustaining damage from a missile strike and has since experienced a surge in membership, highlighting continued demand for shared professional environments.
Meanwhile, creative spaces such as LEM Station in western Ukraine illustrate the geographic diversification of the startup ecosystem. Conferences like IT Arena 2025 drew thousands of participants from dozens of countries, signalling that international engagement with Ukrainian technology remains strong despite logistical and security challenges.
Venture capital activity has not disappeared. Firms such as 1991, Flyer One Ventures, and SMRK continue to support emerging businesses, betting on the long term potential of Ukrainian innovation. Although foreign visitors have declined and travel remains complicated, tech professionals still attend conferences abroad, carrying with them stories of resilience and ambition. In conversations at events like TechArena in Stockholm, Ukrainian delegations often speak of fatigue and uncertainty, yet they also list their country’s unicorns and achievements, a reminder that progress persists even in difficult times.