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Let's support Ukraine's tech ecosystem
On Monday, February 28, 2022, we at Emerging Europe —a London-based social enterprise and growth hub whose mission is to foster social, economic and democratic growth in Central and Eastern Europe— should have flown to Kyiv to launch the Ukraine chapter of Tech Emerging Europe Advocates (TEEA), part of the Global Tech Advocates (GTA) community.
We also intended to announce our Outlook on Digital Ukraine — a multifaceted programme to raise global awareness about the Ukrainian tech ecosystem and the advancements of digital transformation in the country.
Our plans were disrupted in the morning of February 24, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
In 2021, Ukraine’s tech sector set many new records. The country welcomed its first decacorns, while the IT industry grew by 36 per cent year-on-year. There are nine Ukraine-headquartered IT companies among the IAOP 2022 Global Outsourcing 100 and many more with delivery centres in the country.
As Tech Emerging Europe Advocates (TEEA) Ambassador to Ukraine and the CEO of Tech Ukraine Nataly Veremeeva said for Euronews:
“The tech community, being an active part of the society, consisting of thousands of educated people with a global outlook, is one of the pillars of Ukraine’s resistance.”
We want to keep the achievements and potential of the Ukrainian tech ecosystem at the top of the minds of investors, buyers, opinion leaders and influencers — and show why Ukraine is a true digital nation.
WHY OFFER SUPPORT?
The future of the Ukrainian tech ecosystem is vital for the country’s future. Tech businesses must stay afloat as the livelihoods of the 300,000 people depend on it.
Russia’s invasion is putting at risk 30 years of progress. We cannot remain indifferent. And we are now asking for your support.
The fear generated by the Russian invasion has put many service contracts on hold. Deals that were set to be signed are mostly frozen. This is putting the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people employed by Ukraine’s tech community on the line.
Our goal for Support Digital Ukraine is to showcase the potential of the country and reassure international partners that its businesses can continue to deliver outstanding work and innovation.
Whilst we cannot help tech companies individually, we can use our network and channels to reach the global business community and help to rebuild trust in the Ukrainian tech industry.
Emerging Europe and Tech Emerging Europe Advocates are leading the effort to support Ukraine’s tech sector, together with Global Tech Advocates and the Ukrainian Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Digital Transformation and TechUkraine.
WHY DO WE NEED SUPPORT
Emerging Europe does not have donors. We are independent and privately owned. All our programmes, activities and publications are inclusive, free of charge and open to a global community — because our mission of supporting the region involves reaching as many people as we can.
Our activities are fully funded by contributions of like-minded partners, clients and individuals.
HOW WILL YOUR SUPPORT CONTRIBUTE?
The support received will go towards the production of editorial and multimedia content to provide Ukraine's tech ecosystem with a window to the world. This means articles, podcasts, livestreams and more on a weekly basis.
It will also support the hiring of a Ukrainian professional to carry on media relations with global tech media outlets, influencers and opinion leaders.
Addiitonally, we will produce a report and organise a hybrid conference featuring global tech experts, businesses and the media.
