Kharkiv IT Cluster at the «KHARKIV: CITY FOR BUSINESS» Forum: Initiatives for Kharkiv’s Economic Recovery
IT ClusterOn December 2, at the “KHARKIV: CITY FOR BUSINESS” forum organized by the Kharkiv Reform Office, the Kharkiv IT Cluster presented strategic initiatives aimed at restoring and developing the regional IT sector.
The «KHARKIV: CITY FOR BUSINESS» forum serves as a platform to discuss strategies for Kharkiv’s economic recovery, attract investments, support the IT sector, and foster entrepreneurship. It facilitates dialogue between business representatives and donors about the future of the city and its economy.
During the forum discussions, five priority areas for developing the IT sector in the Kharkiv region were presented:
Export Promotion — Accessing International Markets
Olha Ksionzenko, Director of Government Relations at Sigma Software, emphasized the importance of IT companies participating in international events. Support initiatives include organizing joint IT-Kharkiv booths, conducting market research abroad, and assisting in establishing connections with the EU and the USA. These efforts open new markets and partnerships but remain financially inaccessible for many companies without donor support. Ensuring sustainable growth for small and medium-sized businesses in the region is key.
Talent — The Main Resource of the IT Industry
Oleksandr Lutsyk, Head of EPAM Systems’ Kharkiv office, highlighted critical challenges such as youth outmigration, difficulties in veteran retraining, and limited opportunities for women with children due to educational constraints. He stressed the need to fund reskilling and upskilling programs, create safe learning spaces, and streamline regulations for their operation. Moreover, coordinating educational initiatives within the IT community is crucial to avoid mismatches between market needs and specialist training.
Advocacy — Protecting IT Business Interests
Oleksii Radchenko, CEO of Raccoon Gang, noted that advocacy is vital for business development. It encompasses defending company interests, creating a favourable regulatory environment, digitizing the city, and actively participating in legislative processes. These measures aim to establish transparent conditions for IT companies, attract investments, and promote innovative projects as the foundation for Kharkiv’s recovery.
Eastern Ukraine Digital Innovation Hub — A Center of Innovation
Lina Smovziuk, Fundraising Lead at Kharkiv IT Cluster, presented the Eastern Ukraine Digital Innovation Hub. This is the only hub in Ukraine funded by the European Commission, equipped to drive digital transformation in Ukraine’s eastern regions. The hub offers large-scale innovative solutions for regional recovery and development amid wartime. Investments in this project demonstrate international trust in the Ukrainian, particularly Kharkiv, IT ecosystem.
Community Building — The Foundation of Progress
According to Eugene Katrich, CEO at WEBSPARK, the Kharkiv IT Cluster acts as a meta-cluster, connecting companies and professionals regardless of location. Initiatives like IT Cluster in the Cloud provide support to relocated participants despite limited resources. Joining such initiatives helps companies that have lost geographical ties continue to contribute to the city’s economy and remain “tax patriots” of Kharkiv.
Kharkiv: A Potential for Recovery
The Kharkiv IT community believes in the city’s unique potential, driven by its developed IT ecosystem. Implementing support programs tailored to the region’s specifics can accelerate economic recovery. Through coordinated efforts between businesses, authorities, and international donors, Kharkiv is poised to become a hub for recovery and rapid growth in the tech sector.
Special thanks to the Helvetas team, the Kharkiv Reform Office, UNDP Ukraine / ПРООН в Україні, Some People, the Association of Private Employers and all forum participants for an engaging discussion!
