Top IT Arena 2025 Speakers: From Thought Leaders to Product Innovators

Technology is changing the world – and at IT Arena 2025 you’ll discover exactly how. Ukraine’s main tech event is just around the corner, which means it’s time to plan who among the speakers you absolutely cannot miss. Every year, IT Arena in Lviv gathers over 100 leading experts from Ukraine and the world; this year, on five stages – Business, Product, Startup, Technology, and Defense.

The IT Arena 2025 program covers the most relevant topics – from artificial intelligence and defense technologies to investments, product design, and government digital transformation.

Each stage will feature a unique lineup of experts who are already implementing innovation in their respective sectors. You can look forward to talks from representatives of Vanguard Europe, Sunrise Tech Park, Green Flag Ventures, Electronic Warfare, Hack Control, and many others. This blog is your quick speaker guide for this year’s top tech event.

Women’s leadership and digital diplomacy

Jamala – a Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and Eurovision 2016 winner – will join the panel discussion “Breaking Frames, Building Futures: Women Leaders Shaping Innovation and Society.” On September 27, on the Business Stage, Jamala and other panelists will explore the role of women in technology, digital diplomacy, national security policy, and resilience. Speakers will dive deep into whether women’s leadership in Ukraine’s tech industry has changed since the full-scale war started, and how to develop businesses and startups despite the challenges.

A winner of the WIBA world award as one of the most popular influencers of 2022, Jamala is blending cultural depth with global impact. Her story adds a powerful voice to the dialogue on innovation and the future. Attendees can also look forward to Jamal’s performance, which will be the day’s highlight.

From war to innovation: why Ukraine’s startup ecosystem deserves global attention

Michiel Scheffer, President of the European Innovation Council Board, will join the IT Arena Business Stage on September 26 for a discussion titled “From War to Innovation: Building Ecosystem Resilience in Ukraine.” With more than 30 years of experience in business, academia, and public policy, Scheffer brings unique insight into how crises can fuel innovation and why Ukraine’s startup ecosystem development matters more than ever.

Drawing from his involvement in launching nearly ten companies and decades of work with breakthrough technologies and impact-driven startups, Scheffer will share how resilience, disruption, and investment can reshape post-war economies. He’ll also highlight why supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurs is a smart investment in the future of global innovation.

Panelists from the digital transformation sector and venture capital funds will join him on stage to analyze impact of wartime challenges on the rise of technology startups. Scheffer’s extensive global network in research and innovation brings a unique, international lens to the discussion – one rooted in action and impact. Don’t miss this session on resilience and the future of tech in Ukraine.

Ukrainian products changing the world: Esper Bionics 

Yevhen Zymbalewskyi, designer and product manager at Esper Bionics, will share his experience working on the app for Esper Hand, a smart prosthetic that made Time magazine’s list of the best inventions in 2022. The Ukrainian company’s bionic prosthesis helps people who have lost limbs not only regain functionality but also achieve new levels of control, precision, and confidence.

On September 26, on the Product Stage, Yevhen will present “Building Prosthetic Apps: No Recipe, so We are Writing One.” During the session, he will explain how to turn assistive devices into technological solutions that are intuitive and easy to use. He will explore a human‑centered approach in which prosthetics are not just medical equipment, but technological extensions of the human body that restore freedom of movement.

Global experience in defense innovation

Denis Yullenspore, retired Lieutenant General and the Chairperson of the NATO DIANA (Defense Innovations Accelerator for the North Atlantic), will speak on September 26 on the Business Stage with a presentation “From Startup to National Security Asset.” This talk will bridge defense, innovation, and strategic vision for the future of security. Dr. Yullenspore will share experiences of building technological solutions that transition from startups into critically important defense systems.

In addition to his role at NATO DIANA, Denis is an Associate Professor in Security Policy and Strategy at the Swedish Defence University. He also holds office as the Vice President of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences. Join to hear a new vision on the role of technology in national and international security.

From a Ukrainian startup to an international player

Anton Avrynskyi – CEO and co‑founder of Liki24.com, a European marketplace for health products operating in 10 countries and serving over 2.5 million clients – will share his story on September 27 on the Startup Stage. His session is part of the fireside chat “From Startup to Scaleup.” Participants will talk about forming partnerships for success in a shifting economy, preparing for major investment rounds, and the importance of strategy and communication.

Liki24.com is a standout example of how a Ukrainian startup successfully entered international markets and attracted global investors. In 2018, the team won the Startup Competition at IT Arena. Today, the company’s investors include Horizon Capital, TA Ventures, Flyer One Ventures, SID Venture Partners, and others. In total, Liki24.com has raised over $16 million in funding. How to go beyond just building an MVP and actually scale to global markets? Visit the fireside chat and find out what sets apart startups that stay local from those that grow into global players.

IT Arena 2025 brings together leaders who don’t just talk about change – they are making it. They shape security policies, transform medicine through technology, scale businesses globally, and raise vital societal issues. These are voices grounded in decisions, experience, and the future.
Learn more about the IT Arena program via the link.