Ukraine’s startups keep building

Despite the ongoing war following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian startups have not only survived but continue to build and grow. Companies like edtech firm Preply maintain significant operations in Kyiv, with a substantial portion of their engineering teams based in Ukraine. Startups across various sectors, including defense technology and mental health, leverage local engineering talent to support both the country’s resilience and its population’s needs. For example, a startup originally founded in the U.S. pivoted to develop Luminify, a tool aiding Ukrainians in coping with wartime trauma, collaborating with military units and clinics to provide mental health support. Kyiv remains the primary startup hub despite frequent missile strikes and power outages, with offices and coworking spaces adapting to harsh conditions by using generators and serving as warm refuges for employees. Western cities like Lviv have also become important centers for displaced tech workers, benefiting from proximity to the Polish border and hosting international tech events such as IT Arena 2025. Venture capital firms