War and Labor Shortages: Why Businesses Are Looking for an Alternative to Hiring

Russia’s full-scale war has triggered an unprecedented workforce crisis in Ukraine. Mobilization, mass migration, and the loss of life have led to a critical reduction in available labor—companies are literally competing for every employee, raising wages, and rethinking hiring strategies. According to official statistics, the average number of full-time employees declined from 7 million in 2021 to 5.3 million in September 2025. In other words, Ukraine’s labor resources have shrunk by roughly a quarter. Unsurprisingly, surveys show that staff shortages became the No.1 problem for 60% of Ukrainian companies—outpacing even the danger of operating under shelling (49%) and rising raw-material costs (47%).

The reasons are clear. Mobilization of men: “Your employee can be drafted at any moment—and that’s the problem,” as one analyst bluntly put it. Mass migration and evacuation: since the invasion began, 6–7 million Ukrainians have left the country, and hopes for a fast return are fading—fewer than half of refugees plan to come back. As a result, the labor market now faces both a talent shortage and high unemployment (unemployment rose to around 13% in 2024 versus 8% before the war). The imbalance is compounded by a mismatch between supply and demand: some regions lack specialists, while others have an excess of people without relevant skills. The shortage is especially acute among blue-collar workers and technical specialists—many left or joined the military, while motivation for offline work declines. It is also difficult to fill vacancies for sales managers and mid-level executives because such roles often require physical presence, while “draft exemption” options are limited. “The lack of people with technical skills is simply catastrophic,” experts conclude.

In this context, Ukrainian businesses are being forced to rethink their growth strategies. Before the war, expansion was often associated with hiring and scaling teams. Now, the logic has changed. Companies understand that growing headcount is physically difficult and risky—people are scarce and their availability is uncertain. As a result, the focus is shifting toward growth through technology, automation, and productivity gains within the existing team. Put simply, businesses are looking for ways to do more with fewer people.

The New Reality: Mobilization, Migration, and Survival Strategies

Wartime labor shortages are no longer a temporary challenge—they are the new reality businesses must adapt to. After mobilization waves in 2023–2024, the talent crunch became chronic: in 2025, 74% of companies reported acute staff shortages, and only 5% did not notice the issue. There is no clear path to improvement: the intensified draft in spring 2024 sharply accelerated labor outflows, and there are still no signs of a rapid recovery in workforce capacity. Moreover, the National Bank of Ukraine’s forecasts are bleak: net population outflows are expected to continue at least until the end of 2026. Many refugees are settling abroad—surveys show that more than half are putting down roots and do not plan to return. This means Ukrainian businesses will have to operate and grow with a permanently reduced workforce.

Businesses have already begun to adjust their strategies accordingly. First, the priority is to retain remaining employees. Companies compete for talent, index wages, and offer additional benefits. Second, hiring priorities are shifting: employers are increasingly attracting groups that were previously less in focus. For example, they are hiring more women (including training them for roles that were historically “non-traditional”) and young people under 21 who are not subject to conscription. Businesses are also more willing to hire people with disabilities and veterans: the share of companies employing people with disabilities rose from 36% to 50% in 2024. Many large firms have launched veteran reintegration programs—wartime has made this category a valuable workforce.

Third, companies are partnering more closely with universities and actively hiring interns and students. By investing in training and practice during education, businesses build a long-term talent pipeline. This approach is slow, but it already yields results—young specialists can contribute to production from day one.

Finally, some companies have begun looking for labor outside Ukraine. Paradoxically, as Ukrainians leave, foreign labor inflows have started: businesses—especially in construction, agriculture, and logistics—are increasingly hiring workers from Asia (India, Pakistan, Nepal, etc.). Estimates suggest Ukrainian businesses are ready to attract up to 400–450 thousand foreign workers annually to compensate for local shortages. This, too, is part of the new reality: multicultural workplaces and competition for labor resources on the global market.

However, all these measures only partially ease the problem. In a context where businesses must adapt to a reality of “fewer available hands,” the main growth driver is no longer people—it is technology. Entrepreneurs recognize that to grow with limited headcount, they must increase productivity per employee and replace manual labor with automated solutions wherever possible. That is how the new wartime growth logic in Ukraine emerged: investing not in hiring, but in technological re-tooling.

Betting on Technology: Growth and Cost-Saving Drivers

If technology investments used to be a “nice to have” for efficiency, they have now become a necessity for survival and growth. The past two years have made it clear: automation is not a luxury, nor is it simply about “replacing people with machines”—it is about business continuity and stability. Here are the key technologies that are helping Ukrainian companies compensate for labor shortages today:

Process automation and industrial robotics. Large-scale implementation of automated equipment, industrial robots, and specialized software helps relieve people from routine, repetitive operations. Many manufacturers that installed robotic lines reduced the number of shift operators from 5 to 1–2 people while achieving a 40% reduction in unit production costs. Automated systems can run 24/7, reduce defect rates by 60% thanks to precision, and dramatically cut downtime. Robotics is not about replacing people—it is about reallocating them: machines take over repetitive labor, while employees shift into engineering, managerial, and creative roles. In wartime, robotics also supports safety and continuity: an automated workshop can keep operating even during air-raid alerts (with sufficient protection and remote control), when employees must shelter.

ERP implementation and digital management. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems—along with CRM, SCM, and other digital platforms—are experiencing a surge in adoption across Ukraine. Businesses want to move from fragmented, manual management to a single “digital nervous system” integrating procurement, warehousing, sales, and finance. In a world where teams can be distributed across locations, cloud-based ERP and CRM tools are essential: nearly half of Ukrainian companies adopted cloud services during the war and moved communications into digital channels. This saves time, reduces human error, and provides real-time data for faster decisions. CRM systems with analytics help even a small sales team work like a large one: leads, deals, and customer needs are tracked automatically, reminders are generated, and client offers can be suggested—making sales operations more systematic and scalable.

Artificial intelligence and intelligent automation. AI adoption in Ukrainian business is still emerging (only up to 15% of companies already use AI to address labor issues), but the potential is massive. Chatbots and virtual assistants provide 24/7 customer service without live agents—banks, retail, and telecom companies are actively deploying AI support. AI analytics makes it possible to process large datasets (finance, marketing, operations) with small teams that used to require whole departments. Machine learning is increasingly used in logistics (route optimization and demand forecasting), manufacturing (predictive maintenance to anticipate breakdowns), and HR (resume screening, candidate matching, and even primary interviews). Importantly, business appetite is growing: 40% of surveyed companies are ready to invest in AI implementation and process automation. That suggests exponential growth of AI solutions across sectors—from e-commerce support bots to yield-forecasting algorithms for agribusiness.

E-commerce and “no-staff” service models. War has accelerated the shift to online across multiple industries. Where companies previously relied on in-person service, many now aim to move as many processes as possible to self-service models. Online stores are increasingly replacing offline retail: even grocery chains and pharmacies are expanding e-commerce to reach customers across Ukraine and among diaspora communities. Digital payments and fintech tools enable purchases and services without on-site staff—apps allow people to pay utilities, order deliveries, buy insurance, or apply for credit without visiting an office. Many restaurants and stores introduced self-service terminals and automated order pickup points. For businesses, this means lower staffing costs, broader geographic reach, and greater resilience during disruptions. A symbolic example is Ukraine’s monobank, which has no physical branches and continued strengthening during the war: by early 2025 it reached around 10 million customers and became the country’s second-largest bank by active card users. Its success shows that a branchless, technology-driven model can scale even under extreme conditions when traditional banks are forced to close branches due to shelling.

Remote and cloud workplaces. Remote work technologies have become another “lifeline” during wartime. Video conferencing, cloud storage, and digital collaboration platforms allowed thousands of companies to keep operating despite dispersed teams and security risks. Businesses can now hire talent from safer locations—including abroad—and connect them through the internet, partially offsetting local talent shortages. Companies also reduced costs related to office space, travel, and relocation by optimizing operating structures. A critical element is backup and cybersecurity: businesses invest in cloud backups, resilient IT infrastructure, and data security so that missile strikes on facilities or power outages do not paralyze operations. Technological resilience has become a new dimension of competitiveness.

Of course, the list goes on: IoT for remote monitoring of equipment and facilities, 3D printing for local production of spare parts, drones and satellite monitoring in agriculture (field control and even demining), fintech solutions for accounting and treasury automation, and edtech platforms for online training. The overall pattern is the same: companies that rapidly adopt modern technologies gain advantages in efficiency, speed, and flexibility—despite labor shortages and other wartime risks.

Value on All Fronts: Efficiency, Risk Management, and Higher Valuation

Investing in technology rather than expanding headcount makes sense not only operationally but also from a financial and investment perspective. Here are the key benefits businesses—and their investors—gain by pursuing digital transformation during wartime:

1. Higher productivity and margins. Automation significantly reduces unit costs of products and services. One Ukrainian case: robotics engineer Oleksandr Belousov helped automate a production line, reducing manual labor costs by 70% (staffing on the line fell from 5 to 2 people), lowering unit costs by 40%, and improving quality (defects fell by 60%). Similar examples appear across sectors: the “Rukavychka” supermarket chain increased turnover by 18% after implementing a merchandising management system that prevented empty shelves. Another chain, “KOLO,” implemented automated ordering and cut excess inventory by 43% while improving turnover by 17%—adding 20% to revenue. Higher sales paired with lower labor and inventory costs directly increases profitability. Margins improve because expenses grow slower than revenue—each hryvnia of sales absorbs fewer labor costs. At the macro level, despite the shocks, a number of Ukrainian companies reported record profitability in 2023–2025, driven in part by digitalization and disciplined cost control.

2. Fast payback of investments. Technology adoption often requires CAPEX, which can seem risky in crisis. Yet Ukrainian practice shows that these investments can pay back quickly. In retail and distribution, automation projects in inventory and logistics generated 100% ROI within the first year, and up to 200–300% returns in years two and three. In simple terms: investing, say, UAH 1 million into modern software can save or generate the same amount within a year—and then produce 2–3 times more thereafter. This is confirmed by demand: after the first months of the war stabilized, Ukrainian businesses resumed frozen IT projects, and a major adoption wave followed in 2023–2024 as retailers and large chains launched new automation systems. Owners see immediate results. In a high-interest environment, fast payback is critical. Moreover, grants and concessional financing programs from the government and international partners (EU, World Bank) exist specifically to support digitalization and innovation, partially offsetting costs.

3. Lower operational risk and dependence on people. Businesses that rely less on human factors become more predictable and resilient—highly valuable in wartime. An automated warehouse does not resign or relocate abroad; a robot does not take vacations or panic under shelling. People remain essential, but technology reduces downtime risk caused by illness, migration, mobilization, or burnout. For investors, automation signals maturity: robotic processes imply quality control, predictability, and better investment safety. Digital transformation also reduces “key person” risk—when processes are standardized and automated, the departure of one crucial employee is less likely to paralyze operations. Technology also reduces operational errors: algorithms and sensors are generally more accurate than manual processes. Cybersecurity is another element: modern systems protect businesses from cyberattacks, while human error (phishing and data leaks) is often the weakest link.

4. Higher business value and stronger investor confidence. Companies that implement technology typically achieve higher valuations when raising capital or selling. First, they demonstrate innovation and adaptability—more growth potential. Second, they become scalable: adding new locations, markets, or customers requires less proportional cost growth. Investors like scalable models and often pay higher multiples. Third, technology generates intangible assets—software capabilities, data, algorithms—that increase value beyond physical assets. In Ukraine, this is especially relevant as war accelerates integration into global digital value chains, and tech capabilities improve access to international funding. It is not accidental that Ukraine’s technology sector attracted $498 million in venture investments in 2025—8% more than in 2024—despite the risks. Capital flows toward technology because it sees growth and global potential. Automation helps solve the structural labor shortage: if you cannot hire 100 people to double production, you invest in equipment and software to double output with the same headcount. For investors, that signals sustainable growth without runaway labor costs.

5. Strategic and reputational benefits. A shift toward innovation strengthens trust among customers, partners, and investors. Companies implementing technology show they can not only survive wartime but also improve. Customers gain confidence that service will remain fast and reliable even under staffing pressure. International partners view technology as a transparency marker: digital processes are easier to audit, data is structured and accessible, and the risk of chaos is lower. As experts note, Ukraine’s postwar industrialization should be built on a high-tech base so that “Made in Ukraine” becomes associated with quality and innovation. Every robot, every software implementation contributes to that future reputation. International institutions such as EBRD and the World Bank also support business digitalization projects for this reason: technological resilience reduces the country’s vulnerability overall.

In short, technology investments pay off not only through ROI but also through risk reduction and higher strategic value. For Ukrainian companies in wartime, when classic growth factors (cheap labor and abundant resources) are unreliable or unavailable, technology has become the key driver of margins and valuation multiples.

Real-World Cases: How Ukrainian Companies Transformed (2023–2026)

Below are examples across industries showing how Ukrainian companies applied the “growth through technology” logic and achieved measurable outcomes.

Agribusiness: Drones Over Fields Instead of Hiring More Operators

Ukraine’s agriculture sector, traditionally labor-intensive, has faced acute shortages—especially among tractor drivers and mechanics who were mobilized or left the country (the personnel deficit in agriculture is estimated at up to 15%). Large agribusiness groups responded by accelerating AgTech adoption. Many farms invest in precision farming—GPS-guided machinery, sensors, and drones for seeding and spraying. “The destruction caused by war created an opportunity to help Ukrainians modernize agriculture through precision farming, automation, and digital tools,” notes Bo Larsen, CFO of Titan Machinery.

A specific wartime trend is the growth in demand for modern equipment in western regions, where operations moved after evacuations from frontline areas. Farms increasingly adopt automated harvesting tools—combines with autopilot elements reduce workload and allow one operator to supervise multiple machines. Autonomous drones are used for field monitoring and even security.

A smaller but illustrative example is the “Victoria’s Sense” farm in Kyiv region: despite proximity to hostilities, the owner not only harvested the first blueberry crop in 2022 amid staff shortages, but also installed drip irrigation controlled via smartphone. Now, with one tap in an app, he can irrigate and fertilize crops—tasks that previously required a full crew. Even small farms can adopt technology that reduces labor dependence and improves stability.

Large agribusinesses are also implementing satellite monitoring and AI analytics to determine fertilizer needs and equipment deployment without constant field inspections. War initially complicated access to some technologies, but interest only increased. “Ukrainian farmers’ desire to compensate for war-time labor shortages has driven growing interest in high-tech equipment,” Larsen notes. Automation and modern machinery allow larger land areas to be cultivated with the same workforce. From 2023 to 2025, demand increased for wide-span seeders, high-power tractors, and combines with automated systems—everything that boosts output per worker. In effect, war has accelerated a digital revolution in Ukrainian agriculture, which may ultimately make the sector more productive and less dependent on human labor.

Retail: Inventory Automation and Online Sales as a Response to Staff Outflows

Retail chains and distributors were among the first to feel the workforce shock—especially those operating near the frontline. For example, the “Mida” supermarket chain (Mykolaiv region) lost a significant share of staff after the invasion and had to close many stores. Initially, the business focused on survival: simplifying assortments and improvising logistics. But it quickly became clear that systemic IT solutions were essential. After part of southern Ukraine was liberated, Mida implemented ABM Inventory to automate procurement and expand its supplier base. As a result, despite the crisis, the chain not only restored shelves but also opened five new supermarkets—without proportional headcount growth, thanks to improved assortment and inventory control.

Another case is “Antoshka,” a children’s retail chain with 42 stores and a large online shop. In 2023, it prioritized inventory turnover because capital tied in warehouses became too costly. After implementing automated replenishment, Antoshka delegated 96% of routine ordering tasks to algorithms. Within months, restocking became timely, overstocks fell, and turnover improved. Employees freed from manual ordering shifted toward customer service and e-commerce—people did what machines still cannot, while software handled routine decisions.

A strong case is the “Bazhaemo Zdorovya” pharmacy chain. Early in the war, closures and staff relocation disrupted operations, and employees had to manually rebuild assortments in remaining pharmacies. That chaos became the trigger for long-planned automation: the chain implemented ABM Shelf, which generates planograms for each pharmacy. With the planogram displayed on a smartphone, one employee can quickly reset shelf layouts. Products no longer get stuck in warehouses; they reach shelves in time, boosting sales. Leadership notes that one employee can now handle merchandising tasks that previously required several—and still often fell behind. Standardized layouts improved customer experience and brand consistency even amid staffing instability.

Ukraine’s largest non-food retailer, “Epicentr K,” also invested in automation. After losing three shopping centers, supply chains broke, and demand fell. The company needed rapid process optimization and cost reduction. Implementing ABM Shelf helped maximize shelf efficiency and rapidly adjust layouts to shifting demand. Even with limited inventory and reduced staff, stores maintained adequate assortments and minimized empty space. Executives highlight that digital flexibility also helped Epicentr support reconstruction efforts quickly—supplying building materials and responding to demand because it can monitor inventory and sales data in real time.

Finally, “Rukavychka,” a western Ukrainian grocery chain with 200+ stores, faced persistent issues with planograms and merchandising control—empty shelves at times, excess slow movers at others. The chain invested in planogram automation (similar to ABM Shelf) and achieved measurable results: turnover improved by 12%, lost sales dropped by 18%, and sales rose by 18% shortly after implementation. Beyond the numbers, new employees can now adopt standardized processes quickly, human error is reduced, and deep category analytics enables better decisions. Ukrainian retailers’ automation experience is increasingly recognized across the region.

Logistics: Robots and Sorting Centers as a Response to Growing Volume

In wartime logistics, demand can rise (army shipments, population movements, e-commerce growth) while labor remains scarce. Ukraine’s market leader Nova Poshta began sorting automation before the war, which proved decisive after 2022. By the end of 2021, robotic systems operated at 20 sorting terminals; by 2023, automated sorting lines were deployed in 14 major cities. In 2023, despite wartime disruption, Nova Poshta delivered more than 400 million shipments—10% more than in prewar 2021. In contrast, state-owned Ukrposhta launched its first automated parcel sorting line only in 2023, while Nova Poshta already had dozens.

A major milestone was the opening of two new automated sorting centers in Kyiv and Odesa in 2023. “These are powerful hubs that allow us to maintain high delivery speed as shipment volumes grow,” explained Nova Poshta CEO Oleksandr Bulba. With robots, the company scales volume without proportional staffing increases. Robot trains move small parcels to scanners and distribute them by route, while automated conveyors handle larger shipments. One operator can supervise multiple robots. The results are record-breaking: 2.01 million shipments delivered in a single day on December 18, 2023. Financial performance also surged: in the first nine months of 2023, revenue rose by 62.8% and net profit by 74.2% year-over-year.

Automation goes beyond sorting. Nova Poshta also started building its own airport and terminal with a runway, planning to install six automated sorting lines from leading global manufacturers. This creates a platform for air express delivery with minimal processing time. Ukrposhta is also moving in this direction, announcing 4–5 new automated sorting lines in 2023 to accelerate processing in key regions.

In short, Ukraine’s logistics sector is shifting toward robotics and digital management. Without these tools, scaling in a labor-scarce, high-risk wartime environment would be impossible. Technology investments here improve customer service (faster delivery, fewer errors) and strengthen operational resilience: even if staff are mobilized, parcels keep moving.

Fintech and Banking: Digital Services Instead of Branch Networks

Ukraine’s financial sector entered the war with a strong digital base. When shelling threatened physical infrastructure, digital channels ensured continuity. The monobank case is a standout: a branchless mobile bank that enabled simple donations to the army, supported national initiatives, and ensured uninterrupted service for millions when traditional banks had to close branches. As a result, trust and customer growth accelerated. From about 5 million customers in early 2022, monobank reached nearly 10 million active customers (9.77 million cards) by January 2025—holding the No.2 position by customer count, second only to PrivatBank, and reaching top-three by deposits. This wartime expansion was driven by technology and a relatively small operational workforce.

Other banks also expanded digital capabilities. PrivatBank added multiple services in Privat24, including war-related features, government integrations, and chat support. Oschadbank reduced physical footprint but strengthened remote channels through its Oschad 24/7 app. In 2023, 83% of all retail banking transactions in Ukraine were conducted remotely, while branch visits declined sharply. Banks also automated internal processes: OCR and digital document recognition speeded up account opening and lending, while AI credit scoring reduced manual workload.

Fintech startups found new niches. Payment platforms such as LiqPay and Fondy expanded tools for online commerce, supporting the surge in small businesses operating through web and social media with delivery. Insurers introduced digital claims handling, and even pawn lending developed online models with courier pickup. State digital infrastructure also mattered: the “Diia” app enabled many business services online—from registering a sole proprietorship in minutes to applying for grants—reducing bureaucratic time and freeing staff capacity.

Overall, Ukraine’s financial system demonstrated wartime resilience through technology: it not only survived but supported large-scale social needs such as charitable giving. Digital systems scaled under load without requiring mass hiring, keeping the economic “circulatory system” functioning under extreme conditions.

Industry: Moving Toward “Industrialization 2.0”

For industrial production, war became both a shock and a catalyst. It destroyed assets and disrupted supply chains, but it also created an opportunity to rebuild on new principles: robotics, automation, and “smart factories.” Ukraine increasingly recognizes that rebuilding industry cannot rely on old models of cheap manual labor. Instead, recovery must embed automation, digital control, and reduced dependency on human bottlenecks from the start. Global trends support this logic: Europe and the United States are reindustrializing while investing heavily in industrial technologies, robotics, and AI. Ukraine can integrate into new value chains by offering a modern industrial base.

There are already examples of wartime investment in robotics. Kyiv’s Artem plant (electronics manufacturing) completed a robotics project in 2023: robotic arms now perform delicate soldering and assembly, allowing scarce engineers to focus on higher-value tasks. Ajax Systems, Ukraine’s leading security-systems manufacturer, doubled production between 2022 and 2025 by launching automated lines in Ukraine and abroad, requiring minimal additional labor beyond quality control. Even as some employees joined the armed forces, production continued, and exports hit records in 2023.

In western Ukraine, relocated machine-building plants faced a shortage of local specialists. The response was rapid re-skilling and mechanization. One relocated facility used an international grant to purchase CNC machining centers and trained local staff within months. With fewer workers, output approached prewar levels. Other initiatives such as the LvivTech.City cluster have used grants to purchase robotic equipment and train engineers, creating a base for future growth.

War also accelerated dual-use technologies, where defense and civilian applications intersect. Drone and unmanned systems producers built highly automated mini-production lines with CNC machines and automated testing benches. This enables faster scaling without needing large numbers of skilled workers. Ukraine’s drone production reportedly increased dramatically within a year—such speed is only possible with maximum technological intensity.

From an investor perspective, the shift is crucial. As experts note, automation signals maturity: robotic processes imply quality, predictability, and lower risk. By rebuilding industry on a tech foundation, Ukraine can attract more capital than it would through “old-style” industrial models. While challenges remain—high equipment costs, logistics, and war risks—the direction is clear: investing in people without investing in technology no longer works. Many factory owners now say: “Better to invest a million in automation than spend years searching for and training a hundred workers who may not exist.” This mindset may enable Ukraine’s postwar economy to leap forward rather than merely recover.

Conclusions: Business Adaptation and the New Role of Investors

In wartime Ukraine, businesses are learning a hard lesson: growth, resilience, and competitiveness depend less on headcount and more on flexibility and technology. Companies that shift the focus from “more people” to “better tools” are already performing stronger and feeling more confident about the future. This is not about abandoning people—on the contrary, technology frees employees from routine and allows them to focus on higher-value tasks. But hiring-driven growth is no longer a universal strategy.

What does adaptation look like? First, businesses must accept that labor shortages are long-term and design strategies accordingly. Every decision—opening a new branch, launching a production line, entering a new region—should be paired with the question: “Do we have enough automation and digital tools to scale with our current team?” If not, invest in technology first, and only then expand. Second, companies must invest in learning and adaptability: employees need to continuously build skills and work effectively with new systems. Those who master tools will become more valuable than those who are simply “extra hands.” Third, businesses should use external support—grants, government programs, international funds—that are increasingly available for digital transformation. These resources can help cover the cost of transition.

At the management level, cost structures will shift: spending on hiring and excess office space may decline, while budgets for IT, training, cybersecurity, and resilient infrastructure will grow. Flexible planning becomes mandatory: strategies must include multiple scenarios, including worst-case ones (for example, what happens if another 20% of male staff are mobilized tomorrow?). Businesses that invested early in automation will face such scenarios with far greater stability.

Why should investors support this shift? Because it makes Ukrainian businesses more transparent, efficient, scalable, and globally competitive. Investing in a technology-driven company reduces risk and increases long-term upside. Ukraine’s wartime environment has produced a unique class of entrepreneurs—adaptable, innovative, and resilient. Supporting their shift toward technology can generate a multiplier effect: faster valuation growth, international expansion, stronger foreign-currency revenues, and leadership in postwar recovery. This is already happening: venture and private investment flows into technology-centric sectors (IT, DefenseTech, AgTech) are gradually recovering. Paradoxically, war has created demand for modern solutions and opened large niches where capital can be deployed ahead of a postwar boom.

Ultimately, the “business–technology–investment” triangle will form the backbone of Ukraine’s next growth cycle after victory. Every company that transforms now accelerates that future. And every investor who helps Ukrainian businesses modernize during wartime will become part of the story of recovery and growth. Ukraine is being forced through an accelerated development path—and those who bet on technology instead of chasing headcount will win both today and tomorrow. Because experience shows that innovation prevails even where old methods fail—meaning the future of Ukrainian business belongs to those who build it through technology.