Lviv IT Cluster Meets with Delegation of Japanese Tech Companies

On July 8, the Lviv IT Cluster team held a meeting with representatives of Japanese companies CogNano and Global Deal — including Akihiro Imura, CEO of COGNANO, and Kevin Nasukawa Koki Abe, Co-founder and CTO of Global Deal.

CogNano is a company that conducted basic research to digitize alpaca antibody data. During the 2020 pandemic, its antibodies were recognized as the world’s most effective (Comm. Biol. 2022), leading to collaborations with Google and recognition at NeurIPS for two consecutive years. COGNANO aims to become a leading AI-driven drug discovery company.

Global Deal is a tech company that helps businesses expand to new international markets by combining AI-powered solutions with expert support. They offer a full range of services — from market research, partner search, and team hiring to localization, legal assistance, and the development of digital products.

During the meeting, Yaryna Voznyak, Research Lead at Lviv IT Cluster, presented analytical insights on the current state of Ukraine’s tech industry amid the full-scale invasion. She focused on the dynamics of IT service exports, labor market conditions, and migration trends among tech specialists. The Lviv IT Cluster team also showcased CodeUA — an international tech marketplace designed to promote Ukrainian tech companies in global markets.

The parties also discussed the Lviv IT Cluster’s role in fostering the startup ecosystem, particularly through IT Arena — the largest tech event in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. For over 12 years, the conference has brought together experts, entrepreneurs, and investors from around the world.

“It’s important for us to build partnerships that foster innovation, IT education, and the export potential of Ukrainian tech solutions. I’m convinced that this meeting can mark the beginning of productive cooperation with Japanese companies that recognize the potential of our industry,” said Yurii Ohonovskyi, Deputy CEO of Lviv IT Cluster.

The Japanese delegation expressed interest in involving Ukrainian tech specialists in cooperation with Japanese companies and in developing joint innovation initiatives.