There, I witnessed the wave of Ukrainians fleeing across the border to Polish safety after being forced to abandon their motherland. And yet, despite the terror of which I can only imagine, the overall mood appeared unexpectedly optimistic. The Ukrainians I spoke to were eager to converse and were wholly certain of victory. I was equally baffled as I was impressed. During that trip I learned something that the rest of the world would soon discover as well – the Ukrainian spirit is unbreakable.

It is no secret that starting a business, nevertheless keeping it running, is nearly impossible. It’s now recited as ancient tech lore that around 92% of startups fail within the first three years…safe to say the odds are not in your favour.

But as we’ve seen in the last year, despite being up against a formidable foe like Russia, the drastically smaller and less military equipped Ukraine is proving that statistics are meant to be broken, no matter how badly the odds are stacked against you.

Having emerged as a hub for tech startups in recent years and introducing the world to its creative innovation – everything from AI to solar panels to esports – Ukraine is rapidly growing its startups ecosystem, and despite the war going on, they don’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Here is a list of 10 Ukrainian startups that defied the odds and are making waves across the world.

1. SolarGaps: Founded in 2015, SolarGaps produces solar blinds that can generate energy from the sun whilst simultaneously providing shade, comfort and privacy. With their innovative approach to sustainable energy, their solar blinds can drastically reduce energy consumption for homeowners. Thanks to Greta Thunberg, the world is growing increasingly conscious over the health of our planet, ensuring 2023 to be a polarising year for SolarGaps as they look to introduce a new line of sustainable home products.
2. Molfar: Their website says, “With the AI doing the repetitive parts of the job, you can focus on the tasks where only human expertise will do.” Molfar provides AI-powered solutions for businesses, including voice assistants, predictive analytics, chatbots, and more. Their innovative approach to AI caught the interest of several big brands such as Pepsi and KFC, who have used their services. They also have a software engineer named Anton, so what’s not to like?
3. Madfish Solutions: Aside from the great name, these guys are a blockchain technology company that concentrate on developing open-source projects for the DeFi ecosystem. Passionate in their beliefs that decentralised solutions will change the world, they are rapidly changing the tech scene.
4. AI for Ukraine: Although not necessarily a startup, it is a new educational project from AI HOUSE working to support and bring exposure to the Ukrainian tech community, providing workshops and lectures held by international AI experts to ensure the development of Ukraine’s tech community during the war. Best of all, every sessions is recorded, so no need to worry if you miss a session you had your eyes on!
5. WePlay Esports: As you probably could have guessed from the name, they are a company that specialises in the management of esports talent and organising esports event. Having already established themselves as a top dog in the industry, their social media influence is growing rapidly thanks to their high profile esports tournaments. Their creative approach to set design, technology, and immersive experiences have made them a fan favourite across the globe, and 2023 looks to be a big year for them.
6. Aurora: Founded in 2017, Aurora is a software development company specialising in software, web and mobile development, UX/UI design, and cloud infrastructure management. What sets them apart is their focus on pioneering development methods, and their ability to adapt to whatever their new project requires, and their clientele include both startups and well established businesses.
7. CodeBridge: A software development company based out of Kyiv, their primary focus is on quality and customer satisfaction, utilising intricate and modern methodologies to ensure their projects are delivered on time, on budget, and adhere to the highest standards of quality.
8. Jiffsy: Founded in 2021, they are a mobile slow-fashion app that analyses user behaviour and generates products they love. Taken from their website, “All configurations in one place to create your unique brand identity”, a must have feature for any fashion brand.
9. Fairo: A finance app with one goal: to make life easier for freelancers. Assisting with everything from invoices, payment tracking, taxes, and more, this is the one omnipotent force you need to help you manage you and your company’s finances.
10.  GRAMMARLY: Did you have ANY idea this company was from Ukraine because I sure as heck didn’t! Along with 30 million other users, I myself am an avid user of this app, invented by three Kyiv locals: Alex Schevchenko, Max Lytvyn, and Dmytro Lider. Grammarly improves your writing quality not just grammatically, but the wording and feel as well. If it feels like this is a pitch for this app, then maybe you’re right, but whether you’re writing an email to your landlord or writing the chapter of your own follow up to Ulysses, Grammarly will undoubtedly make you sound like a word wizard.

Not a bad list, eh?!

And for those looking to support Ukraine by hiring any of their local tech brainiacs to support your own project, look no further than Make it in Ukraine.