Mission Description: ExcellEnt Soft-landing Mission to Ukraine

Purpose

Despite the ongoing full-scale invasion, Ukraine’s tech ecosystem demonstrates incredible resilience, adaptability, and continues its dynamic development. It’s an environment where challenges fuel innovation. Ukrainian companies and startups are actively working on projects of critical importance not only for the country but globally, especially in sectors like Defence Tech, AgroTech (including advanced demining solutions), Energy, and Construction. These areas have become a proving ground for unique developments and the rapid implementation of technologies under real-world conditions.

Many global companies and investors have already recognized the unique potential of the Ukrainian market. They are actively collaborating with local startups, established companies, and government bodies, notably the Ministry of Digital Transformation (known for its Diia.City initiative and strong support for the IT sector) and the Ministry of Defence (keen on Defence Tech innovations). Ukraine proves daily that even in the most challenging times, it’s possible to operate effectively, create, and implement breakthrough solutions.

The ExcellEnt Soft-landing mission, funded by the EU, offers a unique opportunity for startups and entrepreneurs from France, Greece, Bulgaria, Türkiye, and Ireland to immerse themselves in this dynamic and resilient environment. Participants will gain invaluable first-hand insights, exchange knowledge, establish direct connections with key market players, discuss potential joint ventures, and explore collaboration opportunities leveraging the unique experience and innovations born in Ukraine amidst unprecedented challenges. This is a chance to become part of a story of recovery and technological advancement.

Location

Lviv and Kyiv – Ukraine’s two largest and most active technology hubs.

• Kyiv: The capital of Ukraine remains the epicenter of the country’s business, political, and technological life. Despite wartime realities, Kyiv’s ecosystem continues to function: offices and co-working spaces are operational (many equipped as secure shelters), and industry events are held (often in hybrid or secure offline formats). Kyiv hosts the headquarters of numerous tech companies, R&D centers, leading universities, accelerators (e.g., Sector X, Ukrainian Startup Fund), and a vibrant community of investors and startups. The city is the primary interface for engaging with government institutions, including the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ministry of Defence.

• Lviv: Located closer to the western border, Lviv has become a vital hub for relocated IT businesses and international organizations, offering relative safety and stability. The city is renowned for its powerful Lviv IT Cluster, uniting hundreds of companies and thousands of specialists. Lviv’s ecosystem is actively growing, offering modern infrastructure, access to skilled talent, and a dynamic environment for networking and business development. Significant tech conferences and meetups are regularly held here, reinforcing its status as a key innovation center.

Both cities demonstrate a high level of adaptation to wartime conditions, ensuring possibilities for work and business development, including the availability of secure locations and events.

Dates:

April 24-26, 2025

Key Aspects (Why You Should Come to Ukraine):

1. Unique Experience & Pressure-Tested Innovation: Witness and engage with an ecosystem that not only survives but thrives, generating unique solutions in critical sectors (Defence, Agro/Demining, Energy, Construction) under the influence of real, extreme conditions. This is an experience unobtainable elsewhere.
2. Access to Field-Tested Tech & Resilient Talent: Meet Ukrainian developers, engineers, and entrepreneurs whose skills and products are being proven in real-time. Gain access to technologies, particularly in Defence Tech, tested and iterated under critical real-world scenarios.
3. Partnership & Growth Potential: Explore opportunities for collaboration, investment, and market entry in sectors crucial for Ukraine’s defence, recovery, and modernization. Ukraine today represents a significant potential market for construction, energy, agricultural, and defence technologies.
4. Direct Connections with Key Stakeholders: The mission will facilitate direct meetings with startup founders, tech company leaders, investment fund representatives, key figures in relevant ministries (Digital Transformation, Defence), and local ecosystem organizations.
5. Demonstrate Solidarity & Impact the Future: Your participation is not just a business opportunity but also an act of support for the Ukrainian economy and its technological future. It’s a chance to contribute to the country’s resilience and reconstruction through partnership.
6. Reliable Organizational Framework: The mission is organized within the EU-funded ExcellEnt project framework, ensuring a high-quality program, logistical support, and facilitation in building valuable connections between European and Ukrainian innovation ecosystems.

Mission Agenda

24th of April – A tour around Lviv – visit to Lviv IT Cluster and Lviv Polytechnic University

25th of April – meetings with ecosystem organizations in Kyiv: 

• An ecosystem breakfast in Platforma with Kyiv IT Cluster (+ MinDigital and Diia City Union), 
• visit to Kyiv Polytechnic University and initiatives there (Sikorsky Challenge and others). 
• meetup with ecosystem organizations and their members (Greencubator, Synchroprostir, IT Ukraine, Reactor, YEP, Techosystem)

26th of April – a tour around UNIT City and visiting the event – anniversary of Brave 1, biggest defence tech cluster (lots of companies present). 

Eligible Participants

• Startups & Entrepreneurs
• Academics & Researchers

Participants must be based in France, Greece, Ireland, Bulgaria, or Turkiye.

Join the ExcellEnt Soft-landing mission to discover the resilience, innovation, and potential of the Ukrainian tech ecosystem and find new avenues for your business growth in partnership with Ukraine!

Spaces are limited – register your interest by April 15th: https://www.f6s.com/excellent-soft-landing-mission-ukraine/apply