IT Arena, Ukraine’s premier English-language tech conference, is set to bring together leading experts, innovators, and entrepreneurs from across the globe in Lviv for its eleventh year. For over a decade, this event has been shaping the future of Ukraine’s tech industry, and this year promises to be no different. Attendees will witness influential startups — ranging from cutting-edge defense developments to innovations in AI and greentech — along with engaging discussions, productive networking, and unique business opportunities.
From September 27th to 29th, Lviv will once again become the epicenter of Ukrainian tech innovation. Historic locations in the city’s heart, maximum security measures, dozens of renowned speakers, and thousands of attendees promise an unforgettable IT Arena, which this year unveils a new dawn of technology.
IT Arena has effectively navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and two years of full-scale invasion, demonstrating remarkable adaptability and continuing to drive innovation in Ukraine against all odds. This year, IT Arena will once again prove the resilience and inventiveness of our tech industry.
Even amidst the harsh realities of war, where flashes in the sky are not aurora borealis, Ukrainians continue to find inspiration for powerful new ideas. We recognize that technology is key to gaining an advantage on the battlefield and that digitalization is crucial for building a strong, resilient economy.
We are now entering a new era of technological development, poised to meet challenges head-on and achieve remarkable feats. This year’s conference theme encapsulates our vision for the future — a new dawn is rising.
Each year, IT Arena dedicates three days to exploring the most pressing trends, cutting-edge innovations, emerging opportunities, and challenges facing the tech industry. This year’s event will traditionally feature four high-level discussion tracks: Business, Tech, Product, and Startup with speaker talks focusing on AI technologies, cybersecurity, green transition and defense tech. Founders, executives, and business owners will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue within the Executive Lounge. IT Arena will also focus on analyzing optimal strategies for business development, transformation, and adaptation to current market conditions.
The event will feature leading speakers from over ten countries worldwide, among them — Philippe Gillet, CTO and Co-Founder of Gatewatcher, a market leader in cyber threat detection. Philippe will discuss innovative solutions that leverage automation and AI methods to provide a comprehensive, real-time view of cyber threats.
Dinkar Jain, Vice President of AI and Marketplace at Uber, will share his extensive experience and insights. With a distinguished career including managerial positions at Meta, Google, Twitter, and Amazon, Jain will explore practical AI applications in business and offer valuable career perspectives.
The conference’s focus on AI extends further with presentations from other industry leaders, including: Yonatan Levin from Monday.com, Yevgen Mospan, CTO of EPAM Ukraine, representatives of Recorded Future, the world’s largest intelligence and analytics company and many others.
The roster of distinguished speakers continues with representatives from global tech giant Google. Michal Kramarz, Head of Google for Startups in Central and Eastern Europe, will share his insights. As one of Google’s first employees in Poland since 2006, Kramarz will provide updates on the Ukraine Support Fund at IT Arena.
A significant portion of the conference will spotlight the development of defense tech in Ukraine, featuring an impressive lineup of speakers: Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine; Monique Brown, former regional director for Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe at Lockheed Martin, with 20 years of experience in the US civil sector and aerospace industry, and David Bonfili, co-founder and CEO of ACME General Corp., a boutique professional services firm specializing in implementing innovations in the national security sector. David’s experience includes leadership positions at Citadel’s Aptigon Capital, BlackRock’s investment platform, and the hedge fund TwoSigma Investments.
Beyond presentations, IT Arena offers attendees practical workshops led by top industry professionals, providing hands-on learning opportunities.
IT Arena 2024 will culminate with approximately 50 meetups covering a wide range of topics — from business strategies to innovative product development. These meetups will take place in Lviv’s most renowned cafes, restaurants, and pubs, offering a unique blend of networking and local culture.
IT Arena 2024 will once again host its signature Startup Competition, this year featuring a record 60 semi-finalist startups. The event offers participants expanded opportunities to network, attract investments, and showcase their products on Ukraine’s main technology stage.
The competition’s primary goal is to foster strong connections between startups and investors, with over 100 investors expected to attend — an all-time high. IT Arena aims to create optimal conditions for Ukrainian products to secure substantial investments, with expectations set at a minimum of $1 million — potentially the largest in the competition’s history.
For the second consecutive year, the competition will be divided into two categories: the general category and a specialized category for defense tech startups and cybersecurity projects. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase unique defense innovations that are gaining relevance not only in Ukraine but worldwide.
Winners will receive substantial cash prizes in addition to investment opportunities. The current prize fund stands at $60,000, but is expected to grow significantly before the conference begins. These funds can be used for product development or team expansion.
This year’s event introduces an expanded startup expo zone, opening doors for both competition semi-finalists and other startups to showcase their innovations. This enhanced platform offers tech teams a valuable opportunity to boost product visibility, forge crucial business connections, and attract initial investments.
Networking for future partnerships and projects remains a core value of IT Arena. To enhance these opportunities, this year’s conference will feature an exclusive stage in the Executive Lounge. This dedicated space will host Q&A sessions with speakers and facilitate the signing of official documents. Moreover, the lounge will provide a more intimate setting for attendees to interact with investors, fostering closer connections and potential collaborations.
IT Arena organizers have prioritized security for all event participants. Since the full-scale invasion began, the event’s organizer, Lviv IT Cluster, has played a crucial role in modernizing and enhancing the air defense system protecting the skies over eight western regions of Ukraine. All IT Arena venues will be equipped with safe, reliable shelters and remain under constant security surveillance. Emergency services will be readily available at each site.
Learn more about IT Arena 2024 and buy tickets at itarena.ua.
IT Arena, Ukraine’s premier English-language tech conference, is set to bring together leading experts, innovators, and entrepreneurs from across the globe in Lviv for its eleventh year. For over a decade, this event has been shaping the future of Ukraine’s tech industry, and this year promises to be no different. Attendees will witness influential startups […]
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