Kharkiv IT Cluster Delegation at the 8th German-Ukrainian Business Forum: A Systematic Approach t...

06 January 2026

Ten IT companies from the Kharkiv IT Cluster returned from Berlin with tangible business results, including 55 B2B meetings, 109 new contacts, and agreements for further negotiations with German partners.

The delegation worked from December 14 to 17 as part of the 8th German-Ukrainian Business Forum — one of the key platforms for developing economic cooperation between Ukraine and Germany.

Why This Matters for Ukrainian IT?

Germany is the largest economy in the EU and a priority market for Ukrainian IT companies. At the same time, it has a high barrier to entry: cold outreach rarely works, and trust is built through personal recommendations, reputation, and long-term relationships.

This is exactly what the forum provided:

• direct access to decision-makers
• connections with organizations ready to recommend Ukrainian companies to their partners
• an opportunity to build partnerships through existing trust infrastructure rather than starting from scratch

Delegation Results

55 B2B meetings — structured negotiations with representatives of German companies, business associations, and institutions.

109 new contacts — a foundation for future sales and partnerships. Some participants are already in negotiations on specific projects.

Direct introductions from organizers — German Eastern Business Association and WISTA (operator of Adlershof Technology Park) confirmed their readiness to personally introduce Ukrainian IT companies to relevant German partners.

Program Highlights

The delegation's work began with the German-Ukrainian IT Business Breakfast — a format that allowed Ukrainian and German companies to connect before the main forum program started.

This was followed by the forum itself: panel discussions, industry sessions, and most importantly, pre-scheduled B2B meetings prepared in advance.

A separate day was dedicated to visiting Adlershof — one of Europe's largest innovation and science technology parks. There, participants:

• pitched their solutions to EBK Gruppe and Nosh.bio GmbH
• connected with WISTA, an organization that can provide access to hundreds of technology park residents

Insights on the German Market

Beyond contacts, participants returned with a clear understanding of how to work with German businesses:

• decision-making cycles are longer than in Ukraine or the US, but partnerships are significantly more stable
• personal connections and recommendations carry decisive weight
• The informal part of events is a full-fledged platform for making deals, not just an add-on to the program
• Germany has a well-developed infrastructure (WISTA, German Eastern Business Association) that genuinely helps foreign companies find the right contacts

Participating Companies

The delegation included: ITRDev, Artjoker, onPoint Studio, Telesens, Arpo Software, IDEV, CodeIT, PayKit, Program-Ace, and Sloboda Studio — companies with diverse expertise united by a common goal of systematic expansion into European markets.

Think Tank for Global Sales & Export Promotion: How It Works

The delegation was organized as part of the Kharkiv IT Cluster service — Think Tank for Global Sales & Export Promotion.

This specialized program helps companies scale their international sales strategically rather than chaotically. Through Think Tank, our members receive:

• In-depth international market analytics and support in developing export strategies
• direct access to international stakeholders, business associations, and institutions
• networking and introductions that shorten the path from first contact to real negotiations

Through Think Tank, Kharkiv IT Cluster companies don't just visit foreign markets — they enter them with a clear value proposition, understanding of local specifics, and strong organizational support. The cluster team handled all preparation: communication with German organizers, curating relevant contact lists, logistics, and on-site coordination. This allowed participants to focus on what matters most — meetings and negotiations.

Acknowledgments

The 8th German-Ukrainian Business Forum was organized with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), GIZ, and Ost-Ausschuss der Deutschen Wirtschaft. This support made the forum an effective platform for meaningful dialogue, business integration, and the development of Ukrainian-German economic cooperation.

How to Join the Next Delegation

Business delegations are one of the practical benefits of Kharkiv IT Cluster membership. Over 1,000 companies already leverage the community's opportunities for scaling, entering new markets, and building international partnerships.

Want to be among the participants of the next delegation?

 Join the Kharkiv IT Cluster community