INTERNACIONAL
Ukrainian women’s presence in tech sector has become ‘more pronounced’ since Russia’s invasion, reports reveal
War in Ukraine has pushed women into more leadership roles in its growing tech sector, where they are gaining experience and contacts abroad that could help rebuild the economy when the conflict ends, some entrepreneurs, companies and investors say.
With most men unable to leave Ukraine, women tech entrepreneurs like Anna Lissova, 30, who runs mental health startup Pleso Therapy, have taken charge of raising funds, finding new clients abroad and embracing other key roles.
Before the war she focused on recruiting therapists in Ukraine. Now she travels abroad to pitch the company at conferences and has led product launches in Poland and Romania.
RUSSIA LAUNCHES ‘LARGE-SCALE’ ATTACK ON UKRAINE’S ENERGY SECTOR, CAUSING AT LEAST 3 DEATHS, WIDESPREAD OUTAGES
«I had to suddenly change my role and take over the public representation of the company. The war led to women taking more senior positions and power in startups,» she said.
Martial law prohibits most men of military age from leaving the country, creating a need and space for female tech entrepreneurs at home and abroad. They are able to build on a stronger representation by women in leadership positions in Ukraine than in the European Union and globally.
Some say they still face prejudice in the traditionally male-dominated tech industry however, or describe their struggles to run a business while adapting to life as a refugee and having to raise families alone with fathers still in Ukraine.
Over the past decade, Ukraine has boasted one of eastern Europe’s fastest growing tech hubs with startups attracting funding and clients from a large domestic market.
Women were underrepresented however, making up only around 30% of managers in the professional, scientific and technical sector, whereas they occupied 40% of leadership positions in Ukraine overall in 2017-2022, according to a study by the United Nations Development Programme.
The study highlighted that the proportion of Ukrainian women leaders nonetheless outstripped a figure of 35% for the European Union and 29% globally.
Pictured above is Anastasiia Smyk, CEO of aviation software solutions company Input Soft, at Kyiv’s Boryspril International airport. Despite the Russia-Ukraine war, women are taking on more leadership roles in the tech sector. Ukrainian women are founding startups abroad, making a positive impact on Ukraine’s tech sector. (Valentyn Zavadskyi/Anastasiia Smyk/Handout via REUTERS)
Separate figures by Eurostat show around 17% of major tech jobs are held by women in the European Union.
Reuters spoke to nearly a dozen venture capitalists, tech founders and industry officials to document the critical – and often new- roles women have played in driving a sector seen as key to Ukraine’s economic prospects when the war ends.
«Women’s leadership within the tech sector has become more pronounced after the full-scale invasion,» said Pavlo Kartashov, director of the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF), a government-backed body that seeds startups.
«We have witnessed a surge of female entrepreneurs who have stepped up to lead their companies and are driving growth.»
This rings especially true for ambitious startups looking to grow abroad, as many that have stayed in Ukraine focus on military or war-related technology such as drones, he added.
TECH RESILIENCE
The tech sector has proved resilient. While Ukraine’s GDP plummeted nearly 30% in 2022, tech sector revenue rose nearly 1 percent to $7.97 billion and was forecast to increase to $8 billion in 2023, according to state statistics compiled by the Lviv Tech Cluster.
The industry also accounts for nearly 5 percent of Ukraine’s GDP with the number of tech specialists inside and outside Ukraine rising to 307,000 in 2023 from 285,000 in 2022. These numbers include the Lisbon-based founder of digital currency payment platform GeekPay. Veronica Korzh, who founded the startup three months after leaving Ukraine in February 2022, has witnessed a leap in female founders, due in part to increased access to investors outside Ukraine and accelerator programs targetting women funded by the EU, international bodies and tech multinationals.
Many global bodies are out to boost women’s representation in tech across the board, amid research showing firms with a higher proportion of women are more profitable, spend more on research and development and are more environmentally-minded, according to a report by the World Economic Forum.
WOMEN’S TECH CONFERENCE OVERRUN BY MEN CLAIMING TO BE ‘NON-BINARY’ DRAWS AMUSED REACTION: ‘I LOVE THIS’
«I’ve seen more women starting companies after the war and taking on bigger positions because they can talk to investors and help develop brands to new customers,» Korzh said.
«This is also helping keep attention on Ukraine and spreading the word about the potential of its tech sector.»
For many tech workers, Poland is a first stop as it borders Ukraine and the countries have long business and cultural ties.
Mykhailo Khaletskyi of the Polish-Ukrainian Startup Bridge – a group that provides grants, co-working space and other assistance said: «We see women driving new funding rounds and gaining experience that will help to establish new companies and attract international talent and funding,» he said.
Anastasiia Smyk, 27, an aeronautical engineer, launched her aviation operations management software company Input Soft outside Ukraine in Warsaw, where she tapped a burgeoning refugee tech community. Her product is now used in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
«When talking to male investors, there were questions like ‘Why were you appointed CEO of this company?’ or ‘Please share if you have any male business partners’» she said. But she fought against the prejudice.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«My job was to find investments, recognition in the global market, and international clients who would become our early adopters, which was not easy for a no-name startup company from Ukraine,» Smyk said.
Looking at the startups founded by Ukrainian refugees she predicts many will return to the country when the war ends and give a huge boost.
«I want to return to Ukraine to be part of the rebuilding and revitalization of our country… We are even open to working pro-bono just to see the first civil aircraft in Ukrainian skies as soon as possible,» she said.
INTERNACIONAL
Israel agrees to Trump envoy’s temporary Gaza ceasefire extension proposal as first phase expires: reports
Israel has agreed to a temporary ceasefire extension proposal from President Donald Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for the period around the Muslim Ramadan and Jewish Passover, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Saturday night.
The news came as the first temporary ceasefire agreement expired at midnight local time.
Netanyahu’s office said the temporary ceasefire extension was agreed to after they realized more time was needed to figure out a permanent ceasefire solution.
Under the extension proposal, half of the hostages and the remains of dead hostages still in Gaza will be released, with the remaining released once a permanent ceasefire is established.
HAMAS RELEASES MORE HOSTAGES IN EXCHANGE FOR MORE THAN 600 PALESTINIAN PRISONERS AS PART OF CEASEFIRE DEAL
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, meets with U.S. envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, in Jerusalem. (Ma’ayan Toaf, GPO)
«According to the agreement, Israel can return to fighting after the 42nd day if it feels that the negotiations are ineffective,» Netanyahu’s office noted of the first temporary ceasefire’s phase one.
Hamas has «so far remained firm in its refusal of this framework» necessary for a permanent ceasefire, Israel said, according to the Jerusalem Post. Hamas has made similar accusations against Israel.
Emaciated Israeli hostages Ohad Ben Ami, left, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy, who were held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, are taken by terrorists to a stage before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, Feb. 8, 2025. (AP/Abdel Kareem Hana)
7 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE ISRAELI MILITARY’S REPORT ON WHAT HAPPENED ON OCT. 7
«Israel will immediately enter negotiations on all details of Witkoff’s framework,» if Hamas agrees, the Israeli government said.
If a new ceasefire deal is not agreed to, fighting is set to resume on Sunday.
Witkoff’s proposal said: «There is no possibility of bridging the gaps between the parties’ positions to end the war and that additional time is needed for negotiations on a permanent ceasefire,» the Post reported.
Hamas terrorists gather to watch the handover of three Israeli hostages to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, Feb. 8, 2025. (Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A total of 38 hostages were released during the 42-day ceasefire phase one that began in mid-January in return for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Reuters reported that Hamas posted a video Saturday that said hostages that remain in Gaza will only be released through another swap for Palestinian prisoners, which was part of the original phased ceasefire agreement framework.
Ongoing permanent ceasefire talks primarily held in Cairo have stalled.
Reuters contributed to this report.
INTERNACIONAL
Los terroristas de Hamas publicaron el video del abrazo de despedida entre los hermanos argentinos Horn, con un reclamo a Israel
INTERNACIONAL
Zelenskyy meets with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London following Trump Oval Office clash
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was warmly greeted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer outside 10 Downing St. in London on Saturday, a day after Zelenskyy’s tense exchange with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C.
Zelemskyy and Starmer, who met with Trump in Washington on Thursday, embraced, shook hands, waved and gave a thumbs up to reporters before heading inside the prime minister’s residence for their meeting.
The scheduled London visit comes after Zelenskyy’s blowup with Trump and Vice President JD Vance during Friday’s televised meeting in the Oval Office.
Zelenskyy was peppered with questions from shouting reporters about Trump outside the prime minister’s residence, but remained tight-lipped.
ZELENSKYY SPEAKS OUT AFTER PUBLIC SPAT WITH TRUMP, VANCE, SAYS DUSTUP ‘BAD FOR BOTH SIDES’
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, for a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, Saturday. (Peter Nicholls/Pool Photo via AP)
Starmer told Zelenskyy when he greeted him: «Well, let me just say that you’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street. And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you with Ukraine for as long as it may take.»
He added, «And I hope you’ve heard some of that cheering in the street. That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine, and our absolute determination to stand with unwavering determination and to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace, a lasting peace for Ukraine based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine, so important for Ukraine, so important for Europe, and so for the United Kingdom. So I’m much looking forward to discussions here this afternoon. Thank you very much for taking the time to chat.»
Zelenskyy answered: «With pleasure. Thank you very much.»
He added that the British people have given Ukraine «big support from the very beginning of this war.»
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer embraces Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Downing Street, in London, Saturday. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Zelenskyy said that he is also «very happy» to be meeting with King Charles III at his residence in Sandringham on Sunday.
TRUMP SAYS ZELENSKYY CAN ‘COME BACK WHEN HE IS READY FOR PEACE’ AFTER FIERY WHITE HOUSE EXCHANGE
Tensions increased during the Oval Office meeting on Friday over a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine after Zelenskyy said Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn’t be trusted and had breached other agreements.
Trump and Vance then accused Zelenskyy of not being grateful for the support the U.S. has provided over the years and said the Ukrainian leader was in a «bad position» at the negotiating table.
«You’re playing cards,» Trump said. «You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people. You’re gambling with World War III. You’re gambling with World War III. And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country.»
Vice President JD Vance, right, speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, as President Donald Trump listens in the Oval Office at the White House, Friday, in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/ Mystyslav Chernov)
After Vance told Zelenskyy Ukraine had manpower and military recruiting problems, Zelenskyy said war means «everybody has problems, even you,» adding the U.S. would feel the war «in the future.»
«Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel,» Trump responded. «We’re trying to solve a problem. Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel.»
Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House after the exchange, a scheduled news conference was canceled and a deal for Ukraine to give the U.S. its rare earth minerals was left unsigned.
Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for America’s help after the meeting.
«Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit,» he wrote on X. «Thank you @POTUS, Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that.»
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pauses during an interview with Bret Baier on Fox News’ «Special Report» in Washington, D.C., Friday. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
The Ukrainian president told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier in an interview after the meeting on «Special Report» that he believes Ukrainian-U.S. ties can be salvaged.
«Yes, of course, because it’s relations more than two presidents,» he said in the exclusive interview. «It’s the historical relations, strong relations between our people. And that’s why I always began … to thank your people from our people.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«Of course, thankful to the president and, of course, to Congress,» Zelenskyy added, «But, first of all, to your people … we wanted very much to have all this strong relations and where it counted. We will have it.»
Zelenskyy said he was «not sure we did something bad» when asked about the heated exchange but conceded the dustup was «bad for both sides.»
Fox News’ Madeline Coggins contributed to this report.
Tras el discurso en el Congreso, Santiago Cúneo acusó a Javier Milei de «empleado colonial»
El llanto de Young Miko en pleno concierto tras la reconciliación de Tini Stoessel y Rodrigo de Paul
¡Atención San Lorenzo!: el Ciclón puede perder a Johan Romaña y Orlando Gill en la próxima fecha FIFA
Pokémon Champions detalla sus modos de combate online – Nintenderos
Simeone y el clásico de Champions con el Real Madrid: «Dejame disfrutar, mañana hablamos…»
Lo que no se vio del fuerte cruce entre Manes y Caputo en el pasillo de Diputados
Martín Lousteau dijo que estaría dispuesto a una alianza con el peronismo si Milei avanza contra las instituciones
Desgarrador testimonio del padre de Kim Gómez, la nena asesinada en La Plata: “Estoy destrozado”
Chaco: Intendente K inventó una aduana paralela y cobra por entrar mercadería
Cripto escándalo: denuncian que los creadores de $LIBRA empezaron a mover la plata de las billeteras virtuales
Ola de críticas contra Axel Kicillof: Patricia Bullrich lo acusó de tener «la filosofía de apoyar al delincuente»
El Gobierno designó a Ariel Lijo y Manuel García-Mansilla en la Corte Suprema: qué dice el decreto de Javier Milei
Estudiantes le ganó a River en el Monumental por el Torneo Apertura
Goles de Alexis Castro y Santiago Ascacibar para el Pincha, puntero del Grupo A.
Sindicatos universitarios convocaron a un paro para el 17 y 18 de marzo
La medida de fuerza, convocada por el Frente Sindical de Universidades Nacionales, es por la falta de presupuesto y las...
El futuro del gusto: desarrollaron un dispositivo para probar comida sin comerla
Un grupo de científicos en Estados Unidos creo una tecnología revolucionaria que permite experimentar sabores sin necesidad de ingerir alimentos....
-
POLITICA2 días agoMartín Lousteau dijo que estaría dispuesto a una alianza con el peronismo si Milei avanza contra las instituciones
-
POLITICA3 días ago
Desgarrador testimonio del padre de Kim Gómez, la nena asesinada en La Plata: “Estoy destrozado”
-
POLITICA3 días ago
Chaco: Intendente K inventó una aduana paralela y cobra por entrar mercadería
