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TechExchange:
A year in the making
September, 2024
We create digital spaces
Foreword by THE Founder
Foreword by Andriy Dovbenko, Founder and Principal at TechExchange
Following the full-scale invasion of my native country, Ukraine, I saw it my direct responsibility to contribute to the war effort. Donations to equip our soldiers on the frontlines became an integral part of life of all Ukrainians I know. At the same time, the country's best minds rushed to build technology that was essential to protect our homeland and its statehood from the aggressor.
Ukraine's allies were sending aid but there was also a new breed of tech entrepreneurs emerging, the defence tech startups whose founders were drafted or volunteered to fight russia and knew exactly what was needed in the battlefield. They also had to be innovative for the sake of saving their own lives and the lives of their loved ones. What stronger incentive could there be than to protect lives?
Some extraordinary innovation has come out of Ukraine as the result of the war and I saw the opportunity to help these companies survive, succeed commercially and keep innovating for the sake of our country. But also, so many companies in our allied countries were willing to supply their tech to our soldiers and our people who, despite the war, kept on farming our beautiful land and doing business.
Following the full-scale invasion of my native country, Ukraine, I saw it my direct responsibility to contribute to the war effort. Donations to equip our soldiers on the frontlines became an integral part of life of all Ukrainians I know. At the same time, the country's best minds rushed to build technology that was essential to protect our homeland and its statehood from the aggressor.
Ukraine's allies were sending aid but there was also a new breed of tech entrepreneurs emerging, the defence tech startups whose founders were drafted or volunteered to fight russia and knew exactly what was needed in the battlefield. They also had to be innovative for the sake of saving their own lives and the lives of their loved ones. What stronger incentive could there be than to protect lives?
Some extraordinary innovation has come out of Ukraine as the result of the war and I saw the opportunity to help these companies survive, succeed commercially and keep innovating for the sake of our country. But also, so many companies in our allied countries were willing to supply their tech to our soldiers and our people who, despite the war, kept on farming our beautiful land and doing business.
Andriy Dovbenko at the launch of the UK-Ukraine TechBridge, a strategic partnership between the UK Government and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. The launch event which took place at The In & Out Naval and Military Club in London, was co-sponsored by TechExchange.
Being based in the UK, drawing from my legal background, experience investing in AgriTech and keen awareness of the necessity of DefenceTech, a clear concept shaped up: UK-Ukraine TechExchange.
The purpose of the programme was to connect cutting edge AgriTech and DefenceTech startups from the UK and Ukraine to a network of investors, VC funds, government officials and journalists that could help to accelerate innovation and commercial growth in support of Ukraine now and also post-war. TechExchange’s core aim has always been to help save lives - in both the immediate and future.
The purpose of the programme was to connect cutting edge AgriTech and DefenceTech startups from the UK and Ukraine to a network of investors, VC funds, government officials and journalists that could help to accelerate innovation and commercial growth in support of Ukraine now and also post-war. TechExchange’s core aim has always been to help save lives - in both the immediate and future.
The launch
After months of groundwork, finding the right startups that fit the criteria of having real-world, dual applications to Ukraine, and commercial success and innovation that will provide life-saving solutions to a nation at war and help to accelerate the rebuilding process, TechExchange was publicly launched in February 2024.
The initial cohort consisted of:
The initial cohort consisted of:
After months of groundwork, finding the right startups that fit the criteria of having real-world, dual applications to Ukraine, and commercial success and innovation that will provide life-saving solutions to a nation at war and help to accelerate the rebuilding process, TechExchange was publicly launched in February 2024.
The initial cohort consisted of:
The initial cohort consisted of:
Skyeton
Ukraine-based manufacturer of long-range, unmanned aerial systems, providing accurate aerial data for precise ground intervention
Pilotechnika
a Ukrainian customised UAV company that responds to Ukraine’s specific military requirements
Transimpex
a Ukrainian demining startup clearing land affected by armed conflict.
Zvook
a Ukrainian AI-powered acoustic sensor company used for detecting drones, missiles and other artillery
Since then, TechExchange has widened its net to offer support to the likes of:
- Kvertus, a Ukrainian company developing and manufacturing anti-drone systems for military use. Its electronic warfare (EW) and intelligence equipment can be utilised in combat zones, for the protection of civilians’ lives and private property.
- Fox Four, this Ukrainian-based company is utilising AI to revolutionise the onboard vision processing and guidance systems of drones. The combination of hardware and software enables FoxFour’s products to be precise and offer greater levels of autonomy when engaging enemy targets.
Engaging with the media
From the start we were laser-focused on delivering value to the companies in the cohort. This meant a regular drumbeat of media engagement to ensure that their work contributing to Ukraine's war effort, economic survival and future reconstruction receives due attention and credit.
We took a two-fold approach to this: interviews and awards for the cohort companies and thought leadership commentary to help steer the conversations around investing in and funding defence tech in the direction that would be beneficial for our cohort and Ukraine's war effort. While the entire range of coverage we have achieved can be found here, I’d like to take the time to highlight a few standouts:
We took a two-fold approach to this: interviews and awards for the cohort companies and thought leadership commentary to help steer the conversations around investing in and funding defence tech in the direction that would be beneficial for our cohort and Ukraine's war effort. While the entire range of coverage we have achieved can be found here, I’d like to take the time to highlight a few standouts:
OPINION PIECES
Interviews and commentary
the cohort members in the media spotlight
Bespoke events
TechExchange has also recognised the importance of meeting in person and physically connecting with people who share the same goal, not only for a peaceful Ukraine but also one that thrives economically and socially, with strong allies.
It is for this reason that we co-hosted a DefenceTech Pitch Night alongside NOTWICS and FieldHouse Associates at Goldman Sachs headquarters in London. Several businesses focused on solutions across cyber-defence, computer vision, and drone technology had six minutes each to pitch to a room full of investors, industry leaders and fellow entrepreneurs. This was then followed by a panel discussion moderated by Chris Lowe, CEO and Founder of NOTWICS, and consisted of James Gayner MBE, Director of Defence at Plexal, Simon Godfrey, Chair of the techUK Public Sector Committee and Justin Hedges OBE, Chair of Prevail Partners. They spoke about the rapidly evolving electronic warfare environment we're seeing in Ukraine and how the defence industry is adapting to this. The situation in Ukraine was described as a “classic arms race on steroids”. The panel also highlighted the unique opportunities to test and prove the value of defence technology for startups globally, with successful testing in Ukraine one of the key elements investors are now looking for in prospective portfolio companies as the Ukrainian “gold stamp of approval” is an indicator of a successful technology.
It is for this reason that we co-hosted a DefenceTech Pitch Night alongside NOTWICS and FieldHouse Associates at Goldman Sachs headquarters in London. Several businesses focused on solutions across cyber-defence, computer vision, and drone technology had six minutes each to pitch to a room full of investors, industry leaders and fellow entrepreneurs. This was then followed by a panel discussion moderated by Chris Lowe, CEO and Founder of NOTWICS, and consisted of James Gayner MBE, Director of Defence at Plexal, Simon Godfrey, Chair of the techUK Public Sector Committee and Justin Hedges OBE, Chair of Prevail Partners. They spoke about the rapidly evolving electronic warfare environment we're seeing in Ukraine and how the defence industry is adapting to this. The situation in Ukraine was described as a “classic arms race on steroids”. The panel also highlighted the unique opportunities to test and prove the value of defence technology for startups globally, with successful testing in Ukraine one of the key elements investors are now looking for in prospective portfolio companies as the Ukrainian “gold stamp of approval” is an indicator of a successful technology.
More recently we held a Demining Industry Dinner at the Home Grown Club in London, which brought together entrepreneurs, journalists, corporates and other humanitarian organisations to discuss the crucial demining effort in Ukraine, what it means for the country’s future and how technology might provide the solution. As the most mined country in the world, the importance of demining cannot be understated. To create safe spaces for civilians and help Ukraine restore its status as the global breadbasket - which will in turn, help rebuild the nation’s economy and minimise risk of widespread food insecurity - the demining process needs to start sooner rather than later. This dinner also emphasised the need for cross-sector collaboration and greater access to funding if we truly want to make a meaningful difference. Following our conversations with the industry players we wrote an article for TechUK, the UK's technology trade association, which resulted in some innovative British companies with solutions for demining, reach out and offer support to demine Ukraine.
More recently we held a Demining Industry Dinner at the Home Grown Club in London, which brought together entrepreneurs, journalists, corporates and other humanitarian organisations to discuss the crucial demining effort in Ukraine, what it means for the country’s future and how technology might provide the solution. As the most mined country in the world, the importance of demining cannot be understated. To create safe spaces for civilians and help Ukraine restore its status as the global breadbasket - which will in turn, help rebuild the nation’s economy and minimise risk of widespread food insecurity - the demining process needs to start sooner rather than later. This dinner also emphasised the need for cross-sector collaboration and greater access to funding if we truly want to make a meaningful difference. Following our conversations with the industry players we wrote an article for TechUK, the UK's technology trade association, which resulted in some innovative British companies with solutions for demining, reach out and offer support to demine Ukraine.
Looking ahead
I am thankful to every person who has supported the work we do at TechExchange
whether that’s the journalists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, people who have attended our events or read any piece that featured the brilliant innovative companies in our cohort, or the cohort companies themselves. What we have achieved so far would not have been possible without this support.
whether that’s the journalists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, people who have attended our events or read any piece that featured the brilliant innovative companies in our cohort, or the cohort companies themselves. What we have achieved so far would not have been possible without this support.
Andriy Dovbenko
Founder of UK-Ukraine TechExchange
I am thankful to every person who has supported the work we do at TechExchange
whether that’s the journalists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, people who have attended our events or read any piece that featured the brilliant innovative companies in our cohort, or the cohort companies themselves. What we have achieved so far would not have been possible without this support.
whether that’s the journalists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, people who have attended our events or read any piece that featured the brilliant innovative companies in our cohort, or the cohort companies themselves. What we have achieved so far would not have been possible without this support.
Andriy Dovbenko
Founder of UK-Ukraine TechExchange
As we continue to adapt in these trying times and look to forge ahead with how best to end this war, safeguard Ukraine and its future reconstruction, as well as apply the learnings from Ukraine to the process of peacebuilding in the new geopolitical reality, we must constantly evolve.
TechExchange will now open as a forum for dialogue to further advance conversations in technology procurement, funding and collaboration across the defence sector. Our support to innovative businesses will remain at the core of the programme and we will keep helping those who are, on the ground, doing the right thing to bring Ukraine's victory closer. We will also start supporting some critical fundraising campaigns to foster innovation that saves lives.
We are looking forward to what comes next and, as always, would like to hear from any companies that believe they can have a positive impact for Ukraine.
TechExchange will now open as a forum for dialogue to further advance conversations in technology procurement, funding and collaboration across the defence sector. Our support to innovative businesses will remain at the core of the programme and we will keep helping those who are, on the ground, doing the right thing to bring Ukraine's victory closer. We will also start supporting some critical fundraising campaigns to foster innovation that saves lives.
We are looking forward to what comes next and, as always, would like to hear from any companies that believe they can have a positive impact for Ukraine.
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