On December 3, we gathered our community for a candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities awaiting Ukrainian businesses in the coming year.
The FutureTech Meetup: United for 2026 program kicked off with Andriy Dligach, founder of Advanter Group, who presented a base-case scenario for 2026. He suggested a high probability of an agreement that could provide a breather — a vital window to prepare for the next phase of the country’s counteractions.
As Ukraine’s traditional economic advantages are largely diminished by the war, Dligach emphasized that our only viable path forward is transitioning to a high-productivity, innovation-driven economy.
«We need a new economy. Ukraine must scale its exports and fundamentally shift its investment logic,» he concluded.
To explore the ‘rules of the game’ and where the capital will come from in the upcoming year, we hosted a panel discussion titled «State and Investor Expectations for 2026».
The panel featured:
- Yuriy Heletiy, Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU)
- Oleksandr Tsybort, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine
- Natalia Denikeieva, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine
- Denys Sychkov, Principal at Horizon Capital
Moderator: Andriy Dligach, PhD in Economics, Founder and CEO of Advanter Group.
National Bank of Ukraine: From Survival to Recovery
Yuriy Heletiy shared a message of ‘cautious optimism’, noting that Ukraine’s macroeconomic foundation remains resilient. The banking system is fully operational, and international reserves provide a solid cushion for 2026:
«Our task for 2026 is to maintain predictability so that businesses can plan long-term rather than just react to crises,» Heletiy noted.
- Inflation Targets: The NBU is focused on bringing inflation down to approximately 9%.
- Currency Liberalization: The regulator continues to ease restrictions, including mechanisms for servicing new loans and interest payments, alongside stimulating limits for investors.
- Lending Growth: Despite the skeptics, corporate lending grew by 30% this year. Banks are liquid, ready to lend, and increasingly competing for high-quality clients.
Ministry of Digital Transformation: Diia.City Invest and Tech Diplomacy
The state is doubling down on tools to keep capital working within the country. Natalya Denikeieva highlighted the Diia.City Invest mechanism, a potential game-changer for the ecosystem.
What’s Inside Diia.City Invest:
- Fast-Track Investment: The tool will allow both residents and non-residents to set up investment funds in just 2–3 weeks, streamlining capital flow into Defense Tech, cybersecurity, and innovation.
- Unlocking Internal Capital: Significant capital currently sits in retail, logistics, and agro sectors. Diia.City Invest provides a legal bridge to reinvest these funds into the high-growth tech sector.
- An Island of Stability: The goal for 2026 is to ensure Diia.City remains a stable environment where companies can comfortably scale from Ukraine to the world.
- Tech Diplomacy:
«We must actively communicate to international partners that unique technologies are being born in Ukraine right now. It’s the time to invest», Denikeieva urged.
Ministry of Economy: IP Reform and Notify-and-Work Standards
Oleksandr Tsybort reinforced the commitment to the total digitalization of state-business interactions. Key updates include:
- Intellectual Property (IP): The Ministry is aiming for a 2-month turnaround for trademark registrations — a critical factor for innovation-led businesses.
- The Pulse Platform: A feedback loop is now active, allowing businesses to report issues with state agencies directly for resolution.
- Vlasna Sprava (eng. Own Business): The program is being relaunched with expanded opportunities and larger grant amounts for entrepreneurs.
- Deregulation: The declarative principle (notify-and-work) is set to become the default:
«If you meet the criteria, simply notify the state and start working. Pre-checks will only remain where there are genuine security risks», Tsybort explained.
The Investor’s View: Capital is Available, but High Standards are Mandatory
Denys Sychkov of Horizon Capital confirmed that investors are still looking closely at Ukraine. Even in the darkest days of 2022, Horizon’s portfolio companies showed a 30% growth rate.
However, resilience alone is no longer enough to secure a contract.
«We see incredible grit in Ukrainian entrepreneurs. But for 2026, you need more than just ‘lasting power.’ Investors want transparent structures, clear business models, and a global ambition. If you have those, the money will follow», Sychkov noted.
He also highlighted that the availability of war risk insurance and international programs like the Ukraine Facility are making the dialogue with foreign LPs significantly easier.
What’s Next?
2026 will undoubtedly be a year of challenges, but it also holds the potential to be a year of breakthrough opportunities for those ready to build a sophisticated, tech-driven Ukrainian economy.
Success requires us to act as one team: business, government, investors, and society.
