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Startup Competition

The largest and most reputable startup contest, bringing together top tech entrepreneurs, investors, and business angels from Ukraine and worldwide. We’re looking for groundbreaking innovations and technological solutions that will define Ukraine’s future and make a global impact.
Join as a Startup Join as an Investor

For Startups

Startup Competition Benefits
  • Access to investment – VCs and angel investors from Ukraine, Europe, the US, and the Middle East in one place
  • Global visibility – 7,500+ attendees, international media, and tech leaders
  • Pitch opportunity – present to a top-tier jury, win prizes, and gain access to accelerators
  • High-quality networking – clients, partners, mentors, and co-founders over 3 days
  • Actionable market feedback – expert insights to sharpen your product and positioning



Requirements

Starting May 19, 2026, applications are open to startups that meet the following criteria:

  • registered in Ukraine, as a private entrepreneur or a legal entity
  • confirmed sales volume of $10,000+ or raised investments/grants of $25,000+
  • product at MVP stage or beyond, ready for scaling
  • no Russian or Belarusian citizens among the team members or founders
  • ability to present the startup offline in Lviv;
Become a participant
Investors and Alumni
We unite key tech market players through our investors and alumni network
Our Investors
Our Alumni
Prize fund
gold branch - IT Arena $60,000 gold branch - IT Arena
The grant prize fund is already $60,000 and continues to grow. Participants can present their technological solutions in two categories: General and Defense Tech/Dual-use.
$30,000
$30,000
Investment Fund
gold branch - IT Arena $12,500,000 gold branch - IT Arena
Startups have a unique opportunity to attract attention from global VCs and investors. The competition’s investment fund currently stands at $12,500,000 and continues to grow.

Are you an expert or a successful founder?

Join as a Mentor
Join the Startup Competition to mentor and coach the best Ukrainian startups.
Timeline
What Happens Next
May 19
Application Evaluation and Selection
We open registration for the Startup Competition. Submit your application and tell us about your product, team, and your vision for startup growth.
August 21
Applications close
The last day to apply for the competition. After that, we move on to the evaluation and selection stage.
September 1
Semi-finalists announcement
We will share the selection results and announce the 50 startups advancing to the Startup Competition semi-final (25 startups per category).
September 26
Startup Competition Semi-Final
On the first day of IT Arena 2026 in Lviv, the Startup Competition semi-final will take place. Selected startups will pitch their projects to the jury and compete for a spot in the final.
September 27
Startup Competition Final
At the final stage, the strongest teams will compete for the Startup Competition awards and prizes, presenting their solutions on the main stage of IT Arena 2026.

Startup Stage: What to Expect

Startup Competition

Brings together the most revolutionary startups and the brightest entrepreneurs, investors, business angels, and tech fans for pitching. Join as a Startup
Join as a Startup
Mentorship Madness
Want to help startups and share your knowledge? Become a mentor of the Mentorship Madness program at IT Arena 2026 and support startups at the beginning of their journey.
Join as a Mentor
Investor to Startup Meetings
These meetings are essential for startups seeking funding. They allow investors to evaluate a business's potential, ask key questions to ensure alignment with their investment goals, and make informed decisions about whether to invest.
Become a investor
They Talk About Us
“Participation in the Startup Competition was a great boost for our startup. After the IT Arena, we reaped the benefits of all the networking and communication we did there.”
Anton Avrynskyi, Founder and CEO, Liki24
“At the Startup Competition, I liked the promising finalists and the strong jury. I advise Ukrainian entrepreneurs to focus on making world-class products, keep learning, and aim for Western revenue.”
Bas Godska, Founder & General Partner, Acrobator Ventures
“We have won amazing prizes that will allow us to invest in the further technological development of Legal Nodes. The mentorship sessions we were awarded will allow us to put in place a comprehensive sales strategy and prepare for the financing round. ”
Margarita Sivakova, CEO and Co-founder, Legal Nodes
“Victory in the Startup Competition is powerful support and a chance to attract a large number of customers and partners. We will use the grant to design a powerful stand and present our product at the most important medical event of the year, the MEDICA exhibition in Düsseldorf. ”
Ivan Osadchyi, CEO, Knopka
“My team and I got much more than we expected: not just media exposure, mentors, or potential investors – we raised about $300K in investments right on the stage of the IT Arena.”
Yuliia Biletska, CEO and co-founder, S.Lab
Partners
Key tech market players have joined us as partners
Exclusive Government Partner
Exclusive Bank Partner

Partners Through The Years

Co-funded by the European Union

Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them
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