Startup Competition 2025 has attracted 202 applications — the highest number in the history of IT Arena — from ambitious teams ready to present their innovations at the country’s largest startup event. The contest brings together groundbreaking projects focused on artificial intelligence, defense technologies, and B2B solutions.
A record-breaking 52 applications came from defense tech startups, the highest ever recorded. The remaining 150 represent the commercial and civil sectors. 120 startups operate under a B2B model, while 42 target B2G and 40 focus on B2C.
The majority of applications came from Kyiv (93), followed by Lviv (34) and Odesa (16). The competition also attracted 12 international teams – from Warsaw, Berlin, Tallinn, Kaunas, Minnesota, Boston, Dundee, and Hong Kong.
Over half of the submitted projects — 108 startups — use artificial intelligence. 23 work with Machine Learning, 12 use Big Data, and 48 teams create hardware solutions.
The average startup valuation is $5 million, with teams typically seeking $600,000 in investment to fuel their growth.
Many teams have already completed acceleration programs. Leading the list are Brave1 (23), Seeds of Bravery (20), YEP (18), Defense Builder (11), and EIT (10), showcasing talent shaped by both Ukrainian and international ecosystems.
Startup Competition 2025 is shaping up to be a key entry point for investors, partners, and anyone seeking disruptive innovation in the tech space.
Startup evaluation is nearly complete. Please note that the list of semifinalists will not be disclosed before IT Arena. Only investors who have purchased a ticket or made a soft commitment to the investment fund will receive priority access to applications ahead of the event.
If you’re an investor, apply here.
Co-organizers of the IT Arena Startup Competition 2025 are Brave1 and USF.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
Startup Competition 2025 has attracted 202 applications — the highest number in the history of IT Arena — from ambitious teams ready to present their innovations at the country’s largest startup event. The contest brings together groundbreaking projects focused on artificial intelligence, defense technologies, and B2B solutions. Defense in Focus A record-breaking 52 applications came […]
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