“Twelve years ago, IT Arena launched at Arena Lviv Stadium with just 800 participants. Since then, it has grown into an international platform for discussing the tech trends of the future. Today, we return to the stadium as a global event that brings together thousands of visitors — visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders from around the world, as well as founders and developers who create technology, drive innovation, and shape the future every day. IT Arena is a symbol of the new Ukraine — technological, ambitious, strong, and competitive on the global stage,” said Stepan Veselovskyi, CEO of Lviv IT Cluster, the founding organizer of IT Arena.
Topical talks and expert speakers: what to expect from this year’s program
Every year, IT Arena offers three days of discussions on trends, innovations, opportunities, and challenges in tech and business. This year, the program will feature four main stages — Business, Technology, Product, and Startup — and a new dedicated Defense stage, which will bring together Ukrainian and international startups, engineers, and investors working on defense technologies — from software to hardware solutions.
Key topics will include artificial intelligence technologies, cybersecurity, and innovations in the defense sector. The event will also focus on tech leadership: speakers and participants will explore how to scale businesses responsibly amid rapid technological change and market volatility. Founders, executives, and business leaders will have the chance to network and discuss current challenges in the exclusive Executive Lounge.
The event will welcome top-tier speakers, among them is Mykhailo Fedorov, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, who will take the stage to highlight the country’s achievements in digital transformation and the implementation of digital tools in defense and education.
Meanwhile, independent journalist Terrell J. Starr will explore how the war has shaped global perceptions of Ukraine through the lens of cultural differences and technological advancement.
AI as a driver of transformation in business, governance, and defense
A primary focus of IT Arena 2025 is the impact of AI on governance, defense capabilities amid full-scale war and hybrid threats, and business transformation. Speakers will discuss how AI is reshaping policy, leadership, and decision-making, as well as the opportunities and risks it presents for Ukraine in the context of war and global competition.
The program will feature talks and panels with leading AI experts. Yonatan Levin, CTO and co-founder of Stealth Startup, will discuss modern AI architecture and its applications in business. He will also share his experiences building scalable AI solutions and explain how generative AI is reshaping both business and society.
Cybersecurity: the cornerstone of tech protection
Cybersecurity will be another key theme of the event. Technical and business experts will share theory and real-world cases on how to counter cyber threats — an especially urgent topic amid Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and its hybrid attacks on other nations. Discussions will also address cybersecurity policies in Ukraine, the EU, and global enterprises.
Speakers will present innovative solutions, real attack scenarios, and defense strategies that help ensure national security and business stability.
Among the speakers is William Dixon, Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and Senior Fellow for Tech & Cybersecurity at the Ukrainian Foundation. Dixon has a background in international cybersecurity. He previously led the cybersecurity center at the World Economic Forum and began his career at the UK’s intelligence, security, and cyber agency, GCHQ.
Joining him is Melanie Garson, an expert in cyber and tech policy. With extensive experience in hybrid threats, digital diplomacy, and tech governance, Melanie advises businesses, investors, and policymakers on risk prediction, strategic opportunities, and policy development at the intersection of technology and geopolitics.
Startup Competition 2025: a record-breaking number of applications
Startup Competition, a flagship startup event at IT Arena, returns with a record 202 applications — the highest in its history. Startups will present AI-powered solutions, defense and cybersecurity products, and innovations in health tech, edutech, and food tech. Applications came from both Ukrainian and international teams, including 12 startups from Warsaw, Berlin, Tallinn, Kaunas, Minnesota, Boston, Dundee, and Hong Kong.
For the third year in a row, teams will compete in two categories: general and defense — the latter focused on defense tech and cybersecurity projects. This year’s most competitive category is defense tech, with 52 applications submitted. The prize fund, supported by the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF) and Brave1, stands at $60,000. Participants will also compete for access to an investment fund that has already reached $9 million and is expected to grow further.
At IT Arena 2025, participants will have more opportunities to build meaningful networks, receive mentorship, attract investments, and showcase their products on Ukraine’s main tech stage.
Made in Ukraine Showcase and security measures
Running alongside the Startup Competition is the Made in Ukraine Showcase — a large-scale expo designed to spotlight Ukrainian products and services actively serving the domestic market. The showcase will feature innovative solutions across a range of sectors, including business, healthcare, agriculture, HoReCa, education, public administration, and more.
The showcase will bring together CDTOs from across Ukraine, representatives of ministries and local governments, as well as leading pharmaceutical, agricultural, manufacturing, and tech companies. It will serve as a meeting point for those seeking effective tools to thansform their businesses and those who are building those very tools. Exhibitors will have a chance to pitch directly to potential clients, establish strategic partnerships, and get immediate feedback.
All the featured products and services are already in use by Ukrainian businesses and serve as replacements for Russian-made alternatives. These are examples of a conscious shift toward secure, reliable, and independent solutions that support the country’s digital resilience.
Organizers have also prioritized security for all attendees. All IT Arena venues will be equipped with reliable shelters, security teams, emergency response services, and metal detectors at entry points.
Networking at the core
IT Arena is not just about content — it’s about connections that matter. Here, professionals meet future employers, businesses find new partners, and startups connect with their investors. The event will be designed to ensure networking is both effective and accessible for everyone.
On the final day, participants can join around 50 meetups covering everything from business strategy to product development. Held in some of Lviv’s most popular cafés, restaurants, and pubs, the meetups offer a relaxed setting for idea-sharing, networking, business matchmaking, and investment talks.
Learn more and get your ticket at itarena.ua.
