Amrop Ukraine’s Post

Innovations and leadership drive transformation, and Forbes Tech 2024 highlighted how technology shapes Ukraine’s future. Key discussions included digital transformation in corporations, advancements in defense technology, and AI and cloud integration to address modern challenges. At Amrop Ukraine, digital is one of our strategic priorities. With strong local and international expertise, we focus on building leadership teams in tech and defense sectors to meet growing demands for effective management, tech upskilling, and AI integration. Grateful to my colleagues Alexander Ulanovich and Nataliia Ivoniak for their dedication to delivering top C-level talent. #Amrop #AmropUkraine #DigitalLeadership #ExecutiveSearch #BoardServices #TechInnovation

Innovation and the Greek Armed Forces   • The Legislation initiated by the Ministry of National Defence (MND) means that the Greek state will fund a long-term effort to spur innovation for the purpose of strengthening the battlefield efficacy of the country’s Armed Forces. • Greece’s nexus of Venture Capital firms (VCs) and deep tech start-ups, as well as its extant Defence Technological Industrial Base, are well capable of utilizing the funding that will be made available by the MND, along with the opportunities that arise to test, validate and produce innovative defence products and services. • Yet, wide-ranging changes in the way Greece’s Armed Forces train, operate and manage their human resources will need to take place to enable the innovation engendered to take seed in fertile soil. • Training needs to be better funded and be more realistic, particularly in the conscript based Hellenic Army, so that innovation can be co-created. • Professionals from all Services need to participate in multilateral missions that involve combat, so that their ability and aptitude to pursue battlefield-relevant innovation is meaningfully strengthened. • Compensation for highly-skilled professional officers and other ranks needs to be raised, so that the MND can hold on to the human capital which can co-create and utilize innovative defence products and services   https://lnkd.in/d9VEwQzV

Exciting News: Defense Tech Summit is Coming I’m thrilled to announce the Invest Summit Ukraine 2024, a landmark event uniting top investors and innovators from the defense technology sector. This premier summit will take place in Kyiv, Ukraine, and is your gateway to discovering the latest breakthroughs in defense tech while networking with industry leaders. What to Expect: This year’s summit offers a dynamic lineup of activities, including: • Panel discussions featuring thought leaders from the defense tech industry • Keynote speeches from trailblazers shaping the future of defense technologies • Startup pitches showcasing groundbreaking innovations • Unmatched networking opportunities with investors, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals Why Attend? • Explore investment opportunities in cutting-edge defense technologies • Gain insights from industry pioneers • Be part of an event designed to foster collaboration and innovation Meet the Organizers: The event is proudly organized by Brave1, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and other key defense-related agencies—all dedicated to driving innovation and growth in defense technology. The organizers are committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all participants. Don’t Miss Out – Register Today! For more details and to secure your spot, visit Invest Summit Ukraine 2023. https://lnkd.in/dK32uxw9 #InvestSummitUkraine #DefenseTech #Innovation #InvestmentOpportunities #Networking #UkraineDefense

I am rather proud to present EIFO's first strategic event within Defence tech. "How do we build a Stronger Ecosystem for Defense and Security Tech?"   There isn't a quick fix for this; instead, it requires long-term ambition and a collaborative mindset as essential ingredients to nurture the ecosystem's maturity.   One first step though - in any ecosystem building - is to bring relevant partners together to meet and engage in business opportunities. 👋   If you are an industry player, a founder or an investor, you're more than welcome to register for the event. 👉 link: https://lnkd.in/dbY6Giy5   Featured speakers include: Troels Lund Poulsen - Danish Minister of Defence The geopolitical situation and why Denmark and EU needs to build a stronger defense industry for the future   Alex Fox – Dual-use investor and former Managing Partner, NSSIF Lessons from the UK’s defense and dual-use tech ecosystem   Andrea Traversone - Managing Partner, NATO Innovation Fund 24 NATO Allies: Empowering deep tech founders to address challenges in defense, security and resilience   Eric Slesinger - General Partner, 201 Ventures Advancing freedom and autonomy in Europe through deeptech investing   Kim Jesper Jørgensen - National Armaments Director, DALO The interconnection between the Danish Defense and the industry   Christian Rex-Nielsen – Key Account Manager, Governmental and Defence, Quadsat The Company Perspective: Growth challenges for defense and security tech companies   Peder Lundquist – CEO, The Export and Investment Fund of Denmark EIFO’s role in providing risk-willing capital to the market

The Israeli #Innovation & #DefenseTech landscape 🇮🇱 💫 The Big Pic: Israel is an innovation engine and based itself for many years on its capacity to invent and improve technology and processes. ⚡️ The Israeli defense industry is also well known as a world class leader. ⚡️ In the last few years we can see evolution of a new SMEs aiming for cutting edge defense technologies and dual use opportunities. 💫 Why It Matters: As the world becomes more and more turmoil and tensions are on the rise- Defense technologies become crucial to preserve national security. 💫 Years and years of R&D efforts and operational testing, evaluating and lessons learned are priceless. 💫 The government-investors-startups-defense industries-academia relationship keeps on driving the Israeli qualitative military edge and technological leadership forward. 💫 Lately Startup Nation Central published a great 2 pages describing the Israeli Innovation DefenseTech landscape - attached. 💫 Join us and become part of this great ecosystem of DefenseTech, DeepTech, Dual-Use opportunities and above all - national security. #opportunity #innovation #startup #technology #VCs #accelerator Ilana Sherrington , Giora Shaked , Eden Eini , SOSA, iHLS Israel Homeland Security, David Rokach , Meital Keren, Guy Keren

In today’s world, dual-use technologies—those with both military and civilian applications—are essential. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has underscored the critical need for these technologies, providing strategic military advantage and ensuring civilian resilience. Historically, venture capital shied away from military applications, often limited by investment mandates. However, the recognition of defense needs and national security priorities is changing this, with venture capital increasingly directed toward dual-use innovation. At conferences such as Sifted in London or CEE Deep Tech Summit in Warsaw, it was recognised that ESG principles must include the fight for democracy and freedom. Europe must fully embrace dual-use technologies to remain competitive and secure. Startups hold a unique position to drive innovation and strategic advantage in times of war. European policymakers and investors are seeing the value of fostering these technologies, with new funds and frameworks emerging to support them.  ResQuant, Fiona Murray, Kristīne Rudzīte-Stejskala, Michiel Scheffer, Jack Wang, Dieter Lambrecht, NATO DIANA.

🎄 Day 10 of our Advent Calendar of Innovation! 🎄 Today, we’re thrilled to highlight an outstanding partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence, showcasing the transformative power of open innovation in national security. Faced with some of the most pressing and complex challenges, the Ministry turned to Wazoku’s innovation platform to explore bold, creative solutions from a global community of Solvers. This collaboration has delivered: 🔹 Enhanced approaches to operational strategies. 🔹 Solutions that tackle critical and complex defence issues. 🔹 A culture of innovation within one of the UK’s most essential institutions. This customer story delves into how Wazoku and the UK Ministry of Defence are reshaping the future of defence and security through collaborative problem-solving and inventive thinking. 💡 Discover how the UK Ministry of Defence is leading the way in innovation. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eAD6sBWg A year’s highlight that proves innovation truly knows no limits! 🚀 #InnovationAdvent #CustomerSpotlight #OpenInnovation #WazokuAdventCalendar2024 Wazoku Simon Hill

We often talk about recovery: it should not be a return to the old but the creation of something new — stronger, more resilient, and more modern. But how do we achieve this? How do we strike a balance between the urgent needs of wartime and the innovations that open doors to the future? The answers to these questions lie in our new large-scale international project — Eastern Ukraine EDIH (European Digital Innovation Hub). Its grand launch presentation will take place on December 9 in Kharkiv (by invitation) and online (open to everyone) during the Digital Transformation Forum. Eastern Ukraine EDIH is a hub that aims to implement cutting-edge digital solutions across various sectors: manufacturing, agribusiness, energy, and municipal management. This initiative offers an opportunity to learn more, find partners, and understand how these tools can benefit your business or community. Here’s a simple example 👇 Do you have a manufacturing business? As part of this project, you can access services such as an audit and the development of a tailored digital transformation roadmap with practical recommendations. You can train your staff in digital transformation skills to make your business more resilient and efficient. Additionally, you can receive fundraising consultations to learn how to secure funding for digital solutions. I invite you to join us! If you are a leader in manufacturing, agriculture, a community, an IT company, or another business in need of digital transformation — register here: https://lnkd.in/gVARkve7 The project is implemented in partnership with The Kharkiv National University of Radio Electronics, National Aerospace University -'Kharkiv Aviation Institute', КУ «ОФІС РЕФОРМ ХАРКОВА», Cyber Diia, and Science and Technology Center in Ukraine Alex Medovoi Igor Braginsky Eugene Katrich Oleksandr Kolb Valery Krasovsky Oleksii Radchenko Vasyl Soloshchuk 🇺🇦🇺🇸 Alex Kholodenko Dmytro Yakovliev

NATO: Innovators working with DIANA, 😎🔥🎯 NATO’s innovation accelerator, can receive training, commercial advice, and funding of up to €400,000. Applications are open until August 9. Techcelerator.Co organized a workshop on August 2 for the Southeast Europe region where those interested learned more about the program. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has launched the challenges of the second edition of NATO's own deep tech, dual-use accelerator program, DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic). Those interested can get a host of support and training as well as up to €400,000 to develop their innovative defense and security technology solutions. The five challenges are in energy and power grounds; data and information security; sensing and surveillance, human health and performance; and critical infrastructure and logistics. Innovators are encouraged to consider how their solutions can enhance resilience; develop the potential of space for discovery and innovation, and support environmentally friendly technologies and practices. The DIANA Accelerator provides those selected with funding, mentoring, testing facilities, and access to investors and specialized end-users (32 governments and large private companies). The accelerator program will start in January 2025 and run for up to a year, broken into two six-month phases: ‘Bootcamp’ and ‘Grow’. Proposals will be assessed against criteria such as alignment to the challenge, novelty, feasibility, dual-use potential, and commercial viability. ‘Dual-use’ potential refers to solutions that can be used for both civilian and military purposes - for example, technologies used for mapping, geolocation, or terrain analysis in military operations can also be used by civilians for urban planning or agriculture; cybersecurity solutions for military use can also be used to protect critical infrastructure or financial systems. Last year, 44 companies from 19 countries were selected from over 1,300 applications to join DIANA. The companies participated in an accelerator program running from January-June 2024 in five locations in Europe and North America. A selection of those first companies will also participate in the second six-month ‘Grow’ phase. Selected technologies ranged from innovative fuel cell batteries to secure optical communications and quantum technology. With more than 200 accelerators and test centers across the Alliance, DIANA brings together universities, companies and governments to work with startups and other innovators to solve critical defense and security challenges. #together #NATO #Techcelerator #difinepr #accelerationprogram #defence #Diana

Today, I attended the Ukrainian Tech Meeting organized by Związek Przedsiębiorców i Pracodawców / Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers in Warsaw. The event brought together industry leaders and investors to discuss Ukraine's tech sector. Key takeaways included: Testing Ground for Military Technologies: Ukraine is emerging as a critical site for testing new military technologies. Challenges in Relocating Defense Companies: Ukrainian defense companies face difficulties relocating production facilities to Poland due to long approval processes from the Ukrainian government. Investment Hurdles: Despite ample investors and funds, old stereotypes and a lack of transparency hinder the implementation of new technologies. Boost in Digitalization: The Ukrainian government has made significant strides in digitalizing education, health, and social services. The conference highlighted the resilience of Ukraine's tech industry and the importance of international collaboration and investment to drive future growth. Let's continue to support Ukraine and its innovative tech sector as it navigates these challenging times. #UkrainianTechMeeting #ZPP #TechConference #Innovation #UkraineTech #Investment #DefenseTech #Digitalization #SupportUkraine