Ray of economic hope: Ukrainian women’s start-ups fuel tech sector resilience

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

But some face prejudice in the traditionally male-dominated tech industry, and describe struggles to run a business while adapting to life as a refugee

4-MIN READ4-MIN

Women hug each other in front of a building in Kyiv, damaged during a Russian missile strike. 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. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:00am, 23 Mar 2024

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 start-up 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.

“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 start-ups,” 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.