Ukraine's Top 10 Startups That Tech Professionals Should Watch Out For in 2025
Last Updated: December 12th 2024
Too Long; Didn't Read:
Ukraine's tech scene is booming, with over 2,600 active startups projected to drive the tech sector to $10 billion by 2025. Key factors include a strong government Diia City initiative boosting IT revenue from $6 billion to $16.5 billion and an IT workforce of 450,000. Notable startups like Monobank, GitLab, and Grammarly showcase Ukraine's global competitiveness and innovation, particularly in FinTech, software development, and communication technology. The startup ecosystem is supported by $350 million in fresh capital and a remarkable resilience, even amidst geopolitical challenges.
Ukraine's tech scene is absolutely crushing it right now, transforming challenges into major opportunities. Ukraine's growing talent pool of 252,000 tech professionals is projected to hit 450,000 by next year, making it a serious player in global innovation.
The IT services market is set to reach $4.60 billion by 2029, with a steady 6.11% annual growth rate. What's super impressive is how the digital sector is driving modernization, with each 1% increase in digitization leading to 0.42% GDP growth.
The government's Diia City initiative is particularly smart, expected to boost IT revenues from $6 billion to $16.5 billion in five years. Despite the challenges, Ukraine keeps pushing forward, with cities like Kyiv and Lviv becoming major tech hubs.
The average tech salary of $3,000 per month (compared to the $500 national average) shows how valuable these skills are becoming. Companies like Grammarly and GitLab showcase what's possible when Ukrainian innovation meets global markets.
With the country ranking fourth worldwide for certified IT professionals and eighth in skill value rating, Ukraine isn't just participating in the tech revolution - it's helping lead it.
This resilience and growth are reshaping not just Ukraine's future, but the global tech landscape.
Table of Contents
- Methodology: How We Selected the Startups
- Monobank: Revolutionizing FinTech
- Preply: Connecting the World Through Education
- Grammarly: Elevating Communication Worldwide
- GitLab: Transforming Software Development
- Reface: Entertainment at Your Fingertips
- Ajax Systems: Innovating Home Security
- People.ai: AI-Driven Business Insights
- Petcube: Revolutionizing Pet Care
- Respeecher: Advancing Speech Synthesis
- Esper Bionics: Leading a MedTech Revolution
- Conclusion: The Future of Ukraine’s Startups
- Frequently Asked Questions
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Methodology: How We Selected the Startups
(Up)Here's how we picked these amazing Ukrainian startups for 2025. First, through Google's Ukraine Support Fund, which is dropping $10 million in funding for 2024-2025, we identified companies that are seriously crushing it with their tech innovation.
We looked for startups that had working prototypes and were already making waves in the market. Our selection process got even more interesting when we discovered that top Ukrainian startups are heading to CES 2025, which honestly shows how they're ready to compete on the global stage.
What really caught our attention was seeing startups that qualified for Ukrainian Startup Fund support, which has already backed over 380 startup teams with $8.7 million in total funding.
We paid special attention to companies using AI with a social impact mission, because that's where the future is heading. Each startup had to prove they weren't just another cool idea - they needed solid traction, either through early revenue, successful pilots, or strong market validation.
Plus, we looked at how these companies adapted during tough times, checking if they could pivot their operations when needed. The startups that made our list aren't just building products; they're solving real problems and creating solutions that work across borders.
And honestly, what makes these picks even more legit is how they've managed to keep innovating despite everything that's been happening in Ukraine.
Monobank: Revolutionizing FinTech
(Up)Monobank is crushing it in Ukraine's FinTech scene, and honestly, it's pretty incredible to see how they've transformed banking for a whole generation. Recently recognized among the world's top 250 fintech companies, they're the only Ukrainian company to make this prestigious list.
Starting from scratch in 2017, they've grown to serve over 8 million active users in 2024, making them a major force in digital banking. What's really cool is how they've inspired other neobanks in Ukraine to step up their game with innovative features and user-friendly interfaces.
Even during super challenging times, including a full-scale invasion, Monobank has shown amazing resilience, helping process nearly $1 billion in donations for the war effort while continuing to grow their user base.
Their success comes from actually listening to what users want - quick card activation, smart credit options, and really intuitive expense tracking. It's not just about banking anymore; it's about creating an experience that makes managing money feel less overwhelming and more accessible.
What makes them stand out is their ability to keep pushing boundaries.
They've managed to hit unicorn status ($1 billion valuation) without taking external funding, which is basically unheard of in the startup world. Their focus on gamification and social features makes banking feel less like a chore and more like something that naturally fits into our daily lives.
Looking ahead to 2025, Monobank isn't just another banking app - they're showing the world that Ukrainian tech can compete and win on a global scale.
Preply: Connecting the World Through Education
(Up)Preply stands out as a game-changing force in online education, revolutionizing how people learn languages worldwide. Founded in 2012 by Ukrainian entrepreneurs, Preply has grown from a small tutoring marketplace to a global platform worth $350 billion by 2025.
The platform's success comes from its smart approach to connecting students with over 32,000 tutors across 120 subjects. What makes Preply stand out is its commitment to personalization - 92% of learners report feeling motivated by their tutors, earning the platform an impressive 4.8 rating from over 21,000 reviews.
Students can pick tutors based on their preferred learning style, budget (with rates from $1 to $50 per hour), and schedule. The platform recently introduced an innovative Lesson Insights feature that creates summaries of discussion topics and key vocabulary, making it easier for students to track their progress.
Beyond individual learners, Preply Business serves corporate clients with specialized language training programs, offering flexible packages and discounts for consistent learning.
The platform's success stems from its user-friendly interface, free trial lessons, and quick refund policy, ensuring students find the right tutor match. With features like video chat, virtual whiteboards, and integrated flashcards, Preply creates an engaging learning environment that feels both personal and professional.
As someone who's grown up in the digital age, I can say this platform totally gets what modern learners need - flexibility, affordability, and real results.
Grammarly: Elevating Communication Worldwide
(Up)Grammarly stands out as a game-changer in digital communication, reaching over 30 million people and 70,000 professional teams in 2025.
What started in Ukraine has evolved into a powerhouse valued at $13 billion, with headquarters in San Francisco and offices across North America and Europe.
Beyond basic grammar checking, Grammarly's AI tools save users an average of 2.5 hours daily, helping with everything from quick edits to comprehensive writing assistance.
The company just launched Grammarly Authorship, a groundbreaking feature that shows which parts of a document are human-created versus AI-generated, bringing transparency to the writing process.
Despite new competition from tech giants like Apple, Grammarly maintains its edge through continuous innovation, recently strengthening its leadership team with experienced executives from Instacart and HashiCorp.
The platform's success comes from its ability to integrate across 500,000 apps and websites, making it accessible wherever people write. For students and professionals alike, Grammarly has become an essential tool for crafting clear, effective communication in the AI era.
GitLab: Transforming Software Development
(Up)GitLab has totally transformed software development in 2025, becoming an absolute powerhouse with over 40 million registered users and more than half of Fortune 100 companies trusting their platform.
What makes GitLab stand out is their AI-powered DevSecOps platform that's changing the game for developers everywhere. The platform is automating tasks like documentation, merge requests, and security checks, which means developers can focus on the cool stuff instead of getting bogged down by routine work.
GitLab's latest financial results show they're hitting it big, with revenue reaching $196 million in Q3 2025, showing a massive 31% growth. What's really impressive is how they're leading the charge in AI-powered vulnerability remediation, making software development faster and more secure than ever.
Their platform isn't just about coding - it's about making the entire development process smoother, from planning to deployment. With features like AI agents handling code testing and security checks, GitLab is making sure developers can ship better code faster while keeping everything secure.
The platform has become super popular because it lets teams collaborate seamlessly, whether they're working on small projects or enterprise-level applications.
This is exactly what modern software development needs - a platform that's forward-thinking, efficient, and ready to tackle whatever challenges come next.
Reface: Entertainment at Your Fingertips
(Up)Reface, Ukraine's breakthrough AI startup, is totally changing how we have fun with photos and videos in 2025. The Reface app's face-swapping technology lets users transform videos, GIFs, and photos with just one selfie, making it super easy to create mind-blowing content.
Since launching, they've crushed it with over 250 million downloads worldwide, which is seriously impressive. What makes Reface stand out is how they've made complex AI technology feel effortless, using advanced neural networks and facial recognition to create surprisingly realistic results.
Their latest updates include animated photos, cartoon transformations, and AI avatars that look incredibly natural.
The company recently faced some challenges though, having to restructure and reduce their team by 35% to focus on profitability and core features.
Despite this setback, they're still pushing boundaries with new tools for content creation while maintaining strong privacy standards. The app has become huge on social media, where people use it to recreate iconic movie scenes or make hilarious memes.
As one of Ukraine's most successful tech exports, Reface shows how Ukrainian innovation can compete globally.
The app continues to evolve, adding features like style transfers and voice modifications, proving it's not just another filter app but a legitimate player in the AI entertainment space.
Ajax Systems: Innovating Home Security
(Up)Ajax Systems is crushing it in the security tech space, and their latest moves are seriously impressive. Their comprehensive security solutions now cover everything from intrusion protection to video surveillance, making them a major player in over 120 countries.
They're handling the upcoming 2025 PSTN switch-off, pushing their tech forward with super-smart features like the Hub BP Jeweller for off-grid locations.
The whole system is built around their Jeweller wireless technology, which gives users up to 7 years of battery life and keeps everything running smoothly.
Their product lineup includes everything from motion detectors with photo verification to smart home automation tools, and they're all designed to work together perfectly.
The system can handle up to 200 devices and 200 users, making it perfect for both small apartments and large office buildings. Ajax stands out by how they're always thinking ahead - they're already rolling out AI-powered video doorbells and new indoor cameras for early 2025, plus they're getting serious international certifications like NFA2P. Their mobile app lets users control everything from their phone, and the whole system stays connected through multiple channels like Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and cellular networks.
For anyone looking to upgrade their security setup, Ajax is definitely worth checking out - they're making professional-grade security accessible and actually easy to use.
People.ai: AI-Driven Business Insights
(Up)People.ai is transforming how businesses handle their revenue operations through smart AI technology. As a pioneer in AI-powered automation, they're making sales teams more efficient by turning everyday activities like emails and meetings into valuable data insights.
Their platform isn't just another tech tool - it's a complete solution that helps companies boost their bottom line. Their patented AI technology has helped companies like Zoom increase rep bookings by 42%, proving that this isn't just hype.
Founded in 2016, People.ai has grown into a powerhouse with over 135 patents, showing they're serious about innovation. Their latest marketing solutions are game-changing, automatically converting leads to contacts when seller engagement happens, which means marketing teams finally get credit for their work.
The platform's success comes from its ability to handle complex sales cycles across different industries, from tech to manufacturing, making it super versatile for any business looking to level up their sales game.
What sets them apart is their focus on providing actionable data that teams can actually use, not just fancy charts and graphs that look good but don't help. Looking at their track record, many companies trust People.ai to drive their revenue operations - they deliver real results that impact the bottom line.
Petcube: Revolutionizing Pet Care
(Up)Petcube started as a cool initiative in Kyiv back in 2013 and quickly became one of the most successful crowdfunding pet products ever.
Their smart pet cameras let pet parents stay connected with their furry friends from anywhere, which is pretty amazing. The company has grown into a serious player in pet tech, now based in San Francisco but keeping its Ukrainian roots.
According to recent data, they're generating $2.5M in yearly revenue with a team of 62 people, showing just how far they've come from their startup days.
Their product line has expanded beyond just cameras - they now offer interactive pet monitoring systems with features like treat dispensing, 360-degree viewing, and even GPS tracking for dogs.
What makes Petcube stand out is how they're using technology to solve real problems for pet owners. Their app has a solid 4.3/5 rating from over 19,000 users, and they've got some pretty heartwarming success stories - like helping save a cat with asthma through sound notifications.
The company's smart to offer both hardware products and subscription services like Petcube Care, which includes 30-second video clips and smart alerts. With $13.7M in total funding and a valuation between $40-60 million, they're proving that focusing on our pets' wellbeing can be both innovative and profitable.
Their story shows how a Ukrainian startup can grow into a global brand while staying true to its mission of connecting pets to the internet and giving them a voice.
Respeecher: Advancing Speech Synthesis
(Up)Respeecher is changing the game in speech synthesis, and the numbers back it up - the global voice tech market is growing at 17.2% annually and is expected to hit $26.8 billion by 2025.
Based in Ukraine, this startup has created an innovative AI platform that's pushing the boundaries of what's possible with voice technology.
Their breakthrough came from combining machine learning with voice synthesis, creating incredibly natural-sounding voices that capture emotional nuances perfectly.
The tech's applications are diverse - from enhancing customer experiences to revolutionizing how we create content across different languages.
What makes this extra cool is that you only need about an hour of recorded audio to create a synthetic voice that sounds totally authentic. They've already done some mind-blowing work, like recreating Young Luke Skywalker's voice for Disney+ and making cross-language music covers possible.
Their AI can handle everything from static content like radio ads to dynamic stuff like real-time airport announcements, making it super versatile. The tech isn't just about making cool content though - it's actually helping bridge communication gaps and making content more accessible worldwide.
With their focus on ethical AI use and commitment to quality, Respeecher is definitely one of the most exciting tech companies coming out of Ukraine right now.
Esper Bionics: Leading a MedTech Revolution
(Up)Esper Bionics is revolutionizing prosthetic technology with their Esper Hand, a game-changing robotic prosthesis that weighs just 380 grams - making it one of the lightest options available.
The prosthetic can predict movements and intentions up to 10 times more precisely than standard devices, thanks to their advanced muscle signal detection system.
Beyond just function, Esper's design won the Red Dot Award: Best of the Best 2022, proving that medical devices can be both practical and stylish.
The company's reach has expanded significantly, with over 30 Ukrainian soldiers now using their prosthetics in active service.
Their cloud-based platform lets users customize controls through a mobile app, making it super accessible. The tech continuously improves as users wear it more, kind of like how your phone learns your typing patterns.
What started in Ukraine has grown into a New York-based success story, with the company now running additional operations in Germany. They're not just stopping at hands either - they're developing prosthetics for other body parts and working on electronic implants that could transform human health and capabilities in ways we've only seen in sci-fi movies.
Conclusion: The Future of Ukraine’s Startups
(Up)Ukraine's startup scene is absolutely crushing it right now! Despite everything going on, the ecosystem has climbed to 46th place globally, which is seriously impressive.
We're talking about a tech sector that's projected to hit $10 billion by 2025, with over 2,600 active startups making waves in the global market. These startups aren't just surviving - they're literally changing the game in everything from AI to defense tech.
What's really mind-blowing is how Ukraine's tech talent pool keeps growing, with more than 346,000 IT professionals driving innovation forward.
These aren't your average tech companies - we're seeing Ukrainian startups raising serious cash, like Preply's $42 million Series C round, which is pretty epic considering the circumstances.
The startup community here is seriously resilient, with less than 1% of funded startups shutting down, even during the toughest times.
The future's looking bright too, with new funding opportunities popping up everywhere.
There's over $350 million in fresh capital ready to be invested in Ukrainian startups, and the ecosystem value has literally tripled since 2020. What makes this even cooler is how Ukrainian founders are crushing it globally - they've got 12 founders behind U.S. unicorns, putting Ukraine in the top 10 globally for producing unicorn founders.
Watch this space, because Ukraine's tech scene is just getting started!
Frequently Asked Questions
(Up)What is the current state of the tech industry in Ukraine?
Ukraine's tech industry is thriving, with its IT services market projected to reach $4.60 billion by 2029. Additionally, the number of tech professionals is expected to hit 450,000 by 2024. The government's Diia City initiative is anticipated to significantly boost IT revenues.
Which are some of Ukraine's top startups to watch in 2025?
Key startups to watch in 2025 include Monobank, Preply, Grammarly, GitLab, Reface, Ajax Systems, People.ai, Petcube, Respeecher, and Esper Bionics. These companies are leading innovations in FinTech, education, digital communication, software development, AI entertainment, security tech, AI-driven business insights, pet tech, speech synthesis, and MedTech respectively.
How has Monobank impacted Ukraine's FinTech scene?
Monobank has revolutionized banking in Ukraine with over 8 million active users. It has achieved unicorn status without external funding, offering innovations like gamification and social features in its digital banking app.
What advancements has People.ai brought to business operations?
People.ai has transformed revenue operations through its AI-based platform, which turns everyday activities into actionable data insights, boosting sales team efficiency. It has helped companies like Zoom improve rep bookings significantly.
What makes Esper Bionics unique in the MedTech field?
Esper Bionics is at the forefront of MedTech innovation with its lightweight and stylish robotic prosthesis that predicts movements precisely. Its cloud-based platform allows user customization and continuous improvement, marking a significant advancement in prosthetic technology.
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Chevas Balloun
Director of Marketing & Brand
Chevas has spent over 15 years inventing brands, designing interfaces, and driving engagement for companies like Microsoft. He is a practiced writer, a productivity app inventor, board game designer, and has a builder-mentality drives entrepreneurship.