General Meeting 2024: The IT community unites in Kharkiv — Kharkiv IT Cluster sums up 2024 and presents a digital transformation strategy for business and the economy
IT ClusterKharkiv, December 9, 2024
More than 250 executives and top managers of leading Ukrainian IT companies gathered in Kharkiv for the Annual General Meeting of the Kharkiv IT Cluster to summarise the results of 2024 and outline priorities for 2025. The event took place simultaneously at several locations: Kharkiv was the main venue, with participants joining from offline locations in Kyiv and Warsaw and an online audience via teleconference.
On the same day, a Digital Transformation Forum was held in Kharkiv, bringing together over 300 business and community representatives from different regions of Ukraine. This overlap of events underscored a common direction: the Ukrainian IT sector is ready to scale its successes, support the country’s recovery, and implement innovative technologies in real businesses, communities, and key economic sectors.
Resilience and growth amid challenges
2024 was challenging for Ukrainian businesses, but companies within the Kharkiv IT Cluster demonstrated resilience and growth dynamics. In the first half of 2024, they paid 1.317 billion UAH in taxes and fees – 25% more than in 2023. Expected export revenues of Ukraine’s IT sector in 2024 will amount to approximately $6.4 billion, nearly matching the level of 2023, indicating the sector’s competitiveness and stability.
Key activities in 2024
1. Development of IT education
Kharkiv IT Cluster continues to invest in education: over 30,000 schoolchildren, students, and teachers participated in educational events throughout the year. The community supports career guidance programs and updates educational courses in collaboration with 200+ educational partners.
For the first time this year, animated films for preschoolers were created to introduce young children to the world of technology. This initiative helps lay the foundation for forming a new digital generation of professionals.
2. Digital transformation of businesses and communities
Kharkiv IT Cluster is the coordinator of the only European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) in Eastern Ukraine. This hub aims to promote the implementation of digital technologies in SMEs, communities, and key economic sectors. As a result, technologies like Smart City solutions, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, IoT, AR/VR, and others become more accessible to the real sector and Ukrainians. This will contribute to regional recovery, enhance security, attract investments, and boost the competitiveness of Ukrainian businesses.
3. International partnerships and investments
Kharkiv IT Cluster is the official contact point for the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) — the largest support network for small and medium-sized businesses in Europe. This opens new opportunities for the international expansion of Ukrainian IT companies, partner searches, and attracting investments.
Grant support from the Ukraine-Ready4EU project enabled IT cluster companies to participate in international forums, undergo certifications, and develop export potential. Ukrainian IT companies were also represented at the Rebuild Ukraine exhibition in Warsaw, showcasing readiness to cooperate with international partners for the country’s recovery.
«We demonstrate unity and resilience even in challenging conditions. Deepening international cooperation helps us enter new markets and continue scaling IT expertise for the digital transformation of various economic sectors. Focusing on customer experience and delivering practical value to Kharkiv IT Cluster members attracts more IT companies to the community,» — said Olga Shapoval, Executive Director of Kharkiv IT Cluster.
4. Support for veterans and reintegration into the IT sector
Kharkiv IT Cluster supports veterans transitioning to civilian life by offering professional retraining and employment programs. This area is strategically important, as 7% of IT industry professionals currently serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and providing them with future opportunities in the tech sector is vital.
5. Advocating for IT industry interests
A significant step in IT business advocacy was the improvement of the regulatory framework, enabling the launch of e-reservations and the adoption of critical amendments to the Diia.City legislation, simplifying startup taxation and exempting Diia.City residents’ donations to the Armed Forces of Ukraine from taxes.
«Our goal is to ensure international clients and partners have confidence in the stability of the Ukrainian IT sector. We strive to make every project and investment contribute to the country’s recovery, strengthening its position on the global innovation and digital solutions map,» — emphasized Oleksandr Medovoy, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Kharkiv IT Cluster.
International recognition and influence on European integration
This year, Kharkiv IT Cluster received the ECEI Bronze Label from the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA), joining the top 2000 clusters globally. This award confirms Kharkiv IT Cluster’s effective management and compliance with European cluster management standards.
Olga Shapoval, Executive Director of Kharkiv IT Cluster, was awarded the «Red Kalyna» prize by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) for contributions to the IT sector’s development and support for Ukraine during the war. This award recognizes women shaping the country’s innovative and sustainable development.
Starting in December 2024, the Kharkiv IT Cluster joined the working group preparing Ukraine’s EU accession agreement in the «Digital Transformation and Media» section. This marks a step toward ensuring Ukrainian IT business presence in Europe, developing shared standards and norms for the tech sector, and new opportunities for Ukraine’s digital market growth.
Plans for 2025: Scaling and strengthening positions
In 2025, the Kharkiv IT Cluster will continue advocating for the IT sector as critical to the economy. The community aims for transparent international travel mechanisms, official recognition of the IT sector’s importance, and strengthening positions in international markets. This will help retain orders and investments in Ukraine rather than losing them to other countries.
Key focus areas will include:
- further support for educational initiatives, human capital development, and expanding educational programs;
- continued business digitalization through EDIH initiatives focusing on critically important economic sectors (agriculture, manufacturing, energy);
- launch of the IT Bridge project to strengthen international connections and create new opportunities for Ukrainian IT companies;
- focus on advocacy for IT business interests to develop Kharkiv and Ukraine’s IT sector.
