Ukrainian IT projects can get support from international venture funds and tech companies to cope with the challenges created by the Russian invasion. One of the Ukrainian Tech Circle’s prime movers, the founder of the tech company Roosh Sergey Tokarev, explains how the project will work and how Ukrainian startups can join it.
What is Ukrainian Tech Circle
There are three initiators of the project: the Roosh founder Sergey Tokarev, Roosh managing partner Den Dmitrenko, and the head of Startup and VC at Google in Central Europe Nina Levchuk. They came up with the idea of the Ukrainian Tech Circle as a response to the challenges that brought full-scale Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which became unbearable for most tech startups in the country.
According to the initial idea, the Ukrainian Tech Circle will be a global network of successful entrepreneurs and tech specialists, angel investors, and venture capitalists who will help young Ukrainian tech companies to survive in these difficult times. The startups will get support in attracting investments, new customers, and consultations with the experts.
“Our focus in Roosh was always to support and provide opportunities for local talents and support Ukraine’s development into becoming Europe’s AI hub. Our goal hasn’t changed, but the war has, of course, created unprecedented challenges,” explains Sergey Tokarev. According to him, Ukraine has lots of potential, as there are plenty of talented IT engineers and enthusiastic people with outstanding and innovative ideas.
The Ukrainian Tech Circle aims to help Ukrainian startups to manage the challenges associated with wartime. Whether the startups need aid with fundraising, contract sourcing, or advising, the team of Ukrainian Tech Circle will be there.
Ukrainian Tech Circle team
At the moment, many companies have already joined the initiative, including Roosh, the company specializing in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Recall that its successful cases include the Reface app, ZibraAI deep-tech startup, as well as venture projects Roosh Ventures and Pawa. The company’s ecosystem also includes educational projects SET University and AI HOUSE.
The companies Alma, Google for Startups, Libeo, Powder, Chamaeleon, venture capital firms ff Venture Capital, Roosh Ventures, Caixa Capital Risc, and others have also joined the team. Tokarev is sure that the number of project partners will only increase.
Is Ukrainian Tech Circle available to all businesses?
All Ukrainian tech startups and businesses that are in great need of support can apply for this project. Venture capitalists, investors, and tech experts also can join the project in order to share their experiences and funding with those who really need this. The application form is available to fill out at the initiative’s website.
As of yet, Ukrainian Tech Circle has received about 50 applications. Sergey Tokarev notes that the number of applications from startups will grow as well as from mentors and partners. He believes this initiative can save hundreds of Ukrainian tech companies that will drive IT in Ukraine as well as in the world in the future.
