{"id":52927,"date":"2024-09-25T16:07:51","date_gmt":"2024-09-25T13:07:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itcluster.lviv.ua\/?p=52927"},"modified":"2024-09-25T16:09:46","modified_gmt":"2024-09-25T13:09:46","slug":"it-arena-2024-must-see-highlights-recommended-by-the-lviv-it-clusters-event-director","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itcluster.lviv.ua\/en\/it-arena-2024-must-see-highlights-recommended-by-the-lviv-it-clusters-event-director\/","title":{"rendered":"IT Arena 2024: Must-See Highlights Recommended by the Lviv IT Cluster\u2019s Event Director"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In just a few days, Ukraine’s largest tech event, IT Arena, will bring together leading experts, innovators, and entrepreneurs from around the world in Lviv for the eleventh time. This year\u2019s event promises to be even more impactful, featuring groundbreaking startups \u2013 from cutting-edge defense innovations to AI advancements \u2013 alongside thought-provoking discussions, valuable networking, and unique business opportunities.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lviv IT Cluster has prepared a comprehensive program for IT Arena guests, featuring top speakers from over 20 countries, more than 50 meetups on various topics, and vibrant networking events. With such a wide range of activities, it can be hard to choose what to attend. Lesia Mandzevych, Event Director of Lviv IT Cluster, shares the talks and events she’s most excited about.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Day 1: Key topics, top speakers, and practical workshops<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The event will kick off with an opening ceremony, traditionally hosted by IT Arena’s AI prototype host, Arina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cEvery year, our AI host, Arina, sets the tone for the event by sharing her insights on the past year and highlighting what we\u2019re incorporating into this year\u2019s IT Arena. The broadcast will be shown across all conference locations, so I recommend not missing it to get into the event flow,\u201d says Lesia Mandzevych.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This year, there will be four traditional tracks for high-level discussions: Business, Technology, Product, and Startup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“We\u2019ve also added separate stages to a few tracks. The business track will feature an additional stage at the Lviv IT Cluster Executive Lounge, where company executives will gather to discuss current issues. It’s a great option for those who want to stay close to the decision-makers,”<\/em> Lesia adds.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the Startup track will include a Defense Stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cLast year, we introduced a defense category in the Startup Competition and realized that defense startups also need mentorship and insights. We created the Defense Stage for this purpose. Attendees can learn a lot about the defense industry in Ukraine and globally,\u201d <\/em>says Lesia.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Key topics across all tracks will include AI technologies and their impact on business development, cybersecurity, and defense tech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cFor the Business Track, I recommend attending the talk by <\/em>Mykhailo Fedorov<\/em><\/strong>, Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation, who set a visionary tone last year. I’m confident he will do the same this year. Right after him, <\/em>Jakub Olek<\/em><\/strong> from TikTok, who oversees government relations and public policy in Central and Northern Europe, will speak on brand safety and user protection,\u201d<\/em> Lesia shares.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Product Track will also be intriguing. Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense, Kateryna Chernohorenko<\/strong>, will discuss how digitalization is shaping the country’s defense. Additionally, Monique Brown<\/strong>, former Regional Director for Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe at aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, will analyze Ukraine’s contributions to defense innovations on a global scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the key speakers on the Tech Track is Robert Potter<\/strong>, founder of Cyber Activities Group, who will talk about building a powerful cyber state. Alongside traditional talks and panels, this track will also host workshops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“This year, we tried to combine purely technical workshops with soft skills. So, we have options for both. A highlight of the first day is a microservices workshop led by British author, researcher, and coach Sam Newman,\u201d <\/em>says the event director.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

On the Startup Track, participants can listen to pitches, refine their product presentation skills, and learn the names of the Startup Competition semifinalists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day will wrap up with a networking event, offering opportunities for valuable connections and potential partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2: The biggest startup battle and unique defense innovations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The second day of the conference will kick off with the Speakers’ Breakfast Cocktail, where participants can meet and chat with speakers in an informal setting. The Business Track will then open with speakers from Silicon Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cGigi Wang, Rhonda Shrader, and Gauthier Vasseur will discuss why we shouldn’t aim to copy Silicon Valley, but instead focus on leveraging our unique strengths. I believe this talk will help us overcome the inferiority complex. At 14:00, Derek Mitchell, Senior Advisor to the President and Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, will discuss what makes democracy work in both politics and business. It\u2019s an unusual and intriguing topic,\u201d<\/em> Lesia shares.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The Product Track will feature discussions on scaling Ukrainian products to global markets, as well as a panel on Ukrainian fintech as a driver of innovation and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Technology Track will also be packed. Sam Newman<\/strong> will deliver a talk on microservices to a larger audience, while Mykola Maksymenko,<\/strong> co-founder and CTO of Haiqu, will discuss the capabilities of artificial intelligence and explain how quantum computers work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cAdditionally, <\/em>Roman Havrysh<\/em><\/strong>, founder of the marketing agency Aimbulance, will give a talk on neurotechnology and how it helps people better understand themselves. A cybersecurity workshop for professionals, featuring insights from representatives of the Kyiv International Cybersecurity Forum, will also take place,\u201d<\/em> Lesia notes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

One of the main events on the second day will be the final and award ceremony of the Startup Competition. Over the course of two days, startups will compete for cash prizes, mentorship, and potential investment opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 3: Over 50 meetups on various topics<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The third day of IT Arena will go beyond traditional tracks and be dedicated to meetups. Around 50 meetings will take place on topics ranging from business strategies to innovative product development. IT Arena meetups will be held in Lviv\u2019s most famous cafes, restaurants, and pubs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“This year, we tried to group meetups and gather sessions on one topic or from one organization in one location. So, if you’re a fan of certain brands or topics, it will be much easier to navigate between them,” <\/em>says Lesia Mandzevych.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Lesia recommends using the IT Arena app, developed by Sigma Software, throughout the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe app will simplify navigation between locations and help you quickly sort through the agenda to highlight the most important sessions. Moreover, it serves as an effective networking tool, containing a list of all conference participants and allowing you to message them and arrange meetings,\u201d <\/em>explains the event director.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That is just a glimpse of what Ukraine’s premier tech conference has in store for its attendees. The entire IT Arena agenda is available on the official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n