“It's risky to invest in Ukraine, but it's risky not to invest in Ukraine.”
Nataliia Ivoniak’s key take-aways from IT events in Ukraine
Nataliia Ivoniak, Partner at Amrop Ukraine, recently took part in several leading tech gatherings, including AI & Big Data Online Day, FinMarketing, the launch of the Fintech Catalog 2025, DOU Picnic and IT Arena. She takes a moment to reflect on the key trends and signals for tech and IT businesses.
AI, Defense and Investments
“It is very clear that the tech industry is regaining its momentum,” says Nataliia. “There are many booming themes, especially around AI, unsurprisingly. Many companies are involved in defense-related activities - either developing separate projects, startups, or teams dedicated to defense, or cooperating with government agencies and industry ecosystems to support defense through expertise, capital, and talent resources.”
As for AI, it is much more than just a bubble right now. There are examples of companies adapting AI at various levels, and some companies are creating AI strategies to move in that direction. AI is moving from hype to talent strategy - the need is no longer abstract. Companies are actively strengthening teams, building AI/ML competencies from scratch, and hiring unique experts to complement their organizations. Demand for such professionals is rising sharply, making talent strategy as critical as technology itself.
“Investments to the tech industry in Ukraine haven’t stopped,” Nataliia continues. “As Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, made a very thought-provoking remark during IT Arena saying that it’s risky to invest in Ukraine, but it’s even riskier not to invest in Ukraine.’”
Many companies choose Ukraine because it has a fantastic pool of talent, especially in tech.
Building Products Which Work Locally
“During the meet-ups on the third day of the IT Arena, founders of tech companies, VCand other industry leaders shared their perspectives,” comments Nataliia. “One key point was that companies should think locally and build products that work well here. The war has pushed many companies to think outside the box, and even those not planning to expand abroad have started to consider international markets. Besides, trends are shifting from service companies to product companies. This is a valuable and crucial change for the IT sector. As a service company, you create value for others. As a product company, the value remains with you. This transition is an interesting development in the industry.”
This relates to the strong sense expressed at various events that leadership extends beyond business. Across the tech community, initiatives supporting veterans, culture, and social values are becoming an integral part of corporate agendas. Leadership today means embedding purpose, resilience, and cultural investment alongside financial results.
Female Leaders in Fintech
“Fintech shows resilience and diversity,” Nataliia continues. “Ukraine’s fintech ecosystem counts approximately 260 players with a market value of $1.5B, including seven new entrants in 2024. A notable trend is the rising presence of female leaders in fintech, shaping innovation, inclusivity, and customer trust.”
“At Amrop Ukraine, we work extensively with tech and fintech clients, from product and R&D companies to fast-scaling fintechs,” Nataliia concludes. “We hear directly from the industry how leaders are searching for ways to strengthen teams and build unique competencies. With Amrop’s global expertise in executive search and leadership advisory, we help boards and CEOs find the leaders who can turn disruption into sustainable growth.”
