How Ukrainian startups are scaling despite the war

Ukrainian startups are continuing to build and grow despite the war. A prominent example is Preply, which plans to use proceeds from its latest funding round to hire some 100 engineers across its global teams. This expansion includes Ukraine, where one-third of the company’s engineering staff is currently based.

To maintain operations, startups can obtain special status to shield key employees from mobilization—the process of calling up citizens for military service. One such company is Aspichi, a mental health startup using mixed reality to help with wartime trauma. Originally created in the U.S. in 2021, the company pivoted when the war began and now collaborates with a dozen clinics. Victor Samoilenko, founder of Aspichi, highlighted the personal toll of the conflict: “Everybody is suffering. My daughter celebrated several New Year’s and Christmas underground; so the effect is enormous.”

Kyiv remains the primary startup hub in Ukraine, far enough from the frontline to remain the ecosystem’s center despite infrastructure challenges. Local companies have adapted to power cuts and heating issues. Preply CEO Kirill Bigai noted that their office uses multiple generators to maintain electricity, internet, and heat, keeping the space open 24/7 so any Ukrainian team member can work there at any time. For smaller teams, coworking spaces provide critical infrastructure. LIFT99 Kyiv Hub, which suffered damage from a Russian strike last August, reopened two months ago and has seen its membership numbers rise, according to sales and partnership manager Lada Samarska.

Beyond the capital, the ecosystem is expanding westward. Lviv, located near the Polish border, has become a major hub for displaced tech workers. The city recently hosted IT Arena 2025, a tech conference that drew 6,450 participants from more than 40 countries. The event featured a dedicated stage for defense tech—the technology sector focused on military and battlefield applications—while also showcasing broader startup activity. Venture capital firms active in Ukraine, including 1991, Flyer One Ventures, and SMRK, continue to back local founders, while Ukrainian delegations continue to travel to international conferences abroad, such as Stockholm.

Why it matters

Ukrainian startups are demonstrating resilience by continuing to operate and grow despite the ongoing war. The defense tech sector and engineering talent serve as key contributors to the country’s stability.