Ukraine’s Startup Resilience: Innovation Flourishes Amid War

When edtech powerhouse Preply achieved unicorn status earlier this year, their Kyiv office marked the milestone the only way tech teams know how—with cake. It’s a testament to the remarkable spirit that permeates Ukraine’s startup ecosystem, where innovation continues to thrive despite the backdrop of war.

Four years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian startups haven’t just survived—they’ve evolved into symbols of national resilience. Preply exemplifies this transformation. The language-learning marketplace is leveraging its latest funding round to expand aggressively, with plans to hire approximately 100 engineers across global teams. What makes this particularly noteworthy is that one-third of their engineering workforce remains based in Ukraine, demonstrating that world-class talent continues to power the country’s tech sector from within its borders.

Defense technology has understandably dominated headlines, with innovations moving from concept to battlefield at unprecedented speeds. Yet the same engineering prowess and creative ingenuity that powers military applications extends across diverse sectors, each contributing to Ukraine’s broader strength and recovery.

The country maintains strict policies regarding military service, taking a dim view of draft evasion. However, startups can receive special status that protects key personnel from conscription when they’re deemed to be supporting national interests. Aspichi, founded by Victor Samoilenko, is one such protected entity. Originally established in the United States in 2021, the company underwent a complete transformation when war erupted.

Today, Aspichi is best known for Luminify, a groundbreaking mixed-reality platform for mental health care that has become a lifeline for Ukrainians grappling with wartime trauma. The startup works directly with military units and collaborates with approximately a dozen clinics providing psychological support to civilians. Their user base encompasses soldiers, veterans, bereaved families, and the millions who have been displaced—whether to western Ukraine or neighboring countries. Even for those who have remained in Kyiv throughout, the psychological toll has been devastating.

“Everybody is suffering,” Samoilenko explains. “My daughter celebrated several New Year’s and Christmas celebrations underground; so the effect is enormous.”

Kyiv’s winter has been particularly brutal, marked by near-daily attacks targeting the power grid. Natali Trubnikova, CMO at Kyiv-based IT consultancy Gart Solutions, describes how locals have adapted to life with frequent power cuts. High-capacity power banks, gasoline stoves, and diesel generators have become essential household items. However, rising costs mean these resources must be used sparingly, with many residents keeping indoor temperatures at bare minimum levels.

These harsh conditions have inadvertently transformed offices into sanctuaries from the cold. Preply CEO Kirill Bigai notes that their office has become a critical resource: “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.”

For smaller startups, coworking spaces have emerged as vital community hubs. LIFT99 Kyiv Hub, a six-year-old venue that suffered damage from a Russian missile strike last August, has experienced a surge in membership since reopening two months ago. Sales and partnership manager Lada Samarska reports that the space has become increasingly popular as a reliable refuge offering consistent electricity, heating, and connectivity.

While Kyiv remains Ukraine’s primary startup hub due to its distance from the front lines, it’s far from the only innovation center. Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine, has become a magnet for displaced Ukrainians, including numerous tech professionals. LEM Station, a renovated tram depot transformed into a creative space, symbolizes Lviv’s growing ecosystem. Its strategic location near the Polish border has facilitated cross-border collaboration and provided easier access to European markets.

Despite reduced foreign attendance, tech conferences continue bringing international attention to Ukraine’s startup scene. IT Arena 2025 drew 6,450 participants from over 40 countries to Lviv, featuring a dedicated defense tech stage alongside broader startup programming. Venture capital firms remain actively engaged with the Ukrainian market, including 1991, Flyer One Ventures (which recently launched a €50 million fund specifically for Central and Eastern European and Ukrainian startups), and SMRK.

Ukrainian entrepreneurs continue making the journey to international tech conferences as well. At Techarena in Stockholm earlier this month, members of a Ukrainian delegation expressed exhaustion but also determination. Before departing, they found themselves listing Ukraine’s growing roster of unicorns—because that’s what you do, even in the middle of a war.

Tags: Ukrainian startups, wartime innovation, tech resilience, Preply unicorn, defense tech, mental health tech, Luminify VR therapy, Kyiv tech scene, Lviv innovation hub, IT Arena 2025, Ukrainian venture capital, war-time entrepreneurship, engineering talent Ukraine, startup ecosystem war, Aspichi, Gart Solutions, LIFT99 coworking, LEM Station Lviv, Flyer One Ventures, SMRK VC, 1991 VC, Ukrainian unicorns, tech conference delegation, power grid attacks, coworking spaces Ukraine, mixed reality therapy, wartime mental health, Ukrainian tech talent, startup special status, mobilization exemption, tech sector resilience, innovation under fire

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