• 3rd edition of Invest In Bravery conference on Defense Tech and dual-use took place in Kyiv this October
• Successfully withstanding all the challenges, the event entered a qualitatively new level of organization
• The organizers look forward to the event becoming annual in Kyiv, with regular satellite events across Europe

On October 18th, Kyiv’s MacPaw Space opened its doors to the 3rd Invest In Bravery Conference. The event was sponsored by the ⁠Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ⁠Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, VC fund Presto Tech Horizons, ⁠nonprofit development organization Helvetas, ⁠the innovation community hub MacPaw Space, and Techosystem – the civic union of Ukraine’s tech ecosystem players.

Invest in Bravery is a global initiative connecting international investors with Ukrainian entrepreneurs to foster growth, resilience, and transformative opportunities. Centered on innovation in IT, defense, and dual-use technologies, the platform creates critical pathways for investment and collaboration, supporting economic recovery and strengthening security. Showcasing Ukraine’s potential for advancement amid adversity and empowering Ukrainian startups, Invest in Bravery sets out to drive meaningful change toward a more secure and prosperous future.

Gathering Like-Minded People to Support Ukraine

Invest in Bravery’s founding partner David Nichols (of Qore Technologies) recalls: ‘When I was in Barcelona for Mobile World Congress in February 2023, I visited the Ukrainian startup section and heard mind-blowing stories from Ukrainian founders how they founded their companies during the war and already brought them to profitability. These were young, smart, motivated people. I also saw pictures of Ukrainian tech workers working in bunkers during bomb raids. It was just so incredibly inspiring to see people that will keep going, try, and succeed under the most difficult circumstances possible. Each of those young people was affected by the war, but each of them also found a way to succeed anyway.’

Mr Nichols had already felt very strongly about supporting Ukraine, but that was the moment when he decided to gather as many like-minded people as possible and go to Kyiv with investors and entrepreneurs to hold a tech event in the capital at wartime.

‘It’s about bringing foreigners who strongly support Ukraine to Kyiv for solidarity and hopefully some investment deals. Because who wouldn’t want to make money while investing in a better future – in positive values, democracy, the rule of law? I’ve never seen a more inspiring story than Ukraine’s, and I’m proud to say that this feeling is shared not only by all my co-founders in Invest in Bravery but in all the many people that have made the trip to Kyiv for our events and activities there – and many more who couldn’t make it for one reason or another,’ Mr Nichols continues.

Following the success of the first two events in Kyiv, Invest in Bravery was officially established as a non-profit organization and joined by three new partners: Ryan Grant Little of RGL Strategic, Lola Onipko of MallGroup, and Petr Vitek of Tilia Impact Ventures.

Exemplary Dual-Use/Defense Tech from Ukraine

The Conference is largely about showcasing particular Ukrainian startups to international investors. Among the participants of the recent edition of the Conference, the organizers point out three Defense Tech / dual-use startups:

• Falcons creates advanced technologies for drone warfare, particularly an anti-radiation autopilot system for drones. This innovation is designed to optimize Ukraine’s air defense by deploying cost-effective drone interceptors against enemy drones, particularly lightweight and small models. Falcons is actively testing its technology on the battlefield, contributing to the development of tactical solutions that enhance defense capabilities. Their work highlights the strategic importance of leveraging cutting-edge drone technologies for both immediate conflict needs and broader military advancements.
• Frontline enhances the safety of Ukrainian soldiers by employing automated robotic turrets for frontline defense. These turrets are designed to operate from trenches, camouflaged for protection, and can detect and track targets using AI. While they require human confirmation before firing, their precision and automation reduce risks for soldiers and optimize response times in combat scenarios. The initiative reflects Ukraine’s integration of advanced technology into warfare, aiming to modernize defense capabilities and protect lives on the battlefield.
• Drill provides high-quality training for firearms handling and tactical skills. It serves as a virtual instructor, offering dry-fire exercises, interactive lessons, and personalized training programs tailored to both military personnel and civilians. Users can practice shooting techniques, safety protocols, and self-defense skills in various scenarios, even without live ammunition. The app, which is free for Ukrainian users during the ongoing conflict, aims to make expert-level training accessible anywhere, anytime, and has been downloaded by over 120,000 users globally.

‘The Invest in Bravery event in Kyiv showcased the remarkable resilience and innovation of Ukraine’s startup ecosystem. As a Belgian investor, I’m impressed by the dual-use potential of many Ukrainian startups, which are developing technologies with both civilian and defense applications. Supporting these ventures isn’t just a smart investment; it’s a way to contribute to Ukraine’s technological sovereignty and, by extension, Europe’s security. At Seven Capital, we see immense opportunity in bridging Ukrainian innovation with Western European markets, fostering a stronger, more integrated tech ecosystem across the continent,’ Seven Capital‘s co-founder and managing partner Brent Christiaens states.

Organizing Tech Events in Wartime Ukraine

The Invest in Bravery team has been to Ukraine multiple times during the war, so the organizers adjusted to the situation. All guests are briefed on the types of alerts and the situations where it is required to take immediate shelter beforehand, and the organizers insist that all participants and attendees install the Air Siren Alert app.

During the Conference’s recent edition, the venture – MacPaw Space – had a fully equipped shelter, so even in the event of an air raid, the conference could commence. During the event, there were drones approaching Kyiv, but they were intercepted, and no sirens sounded during the day. Still, the organizers experienced shelter protocols at their hotels overnight, as most attacks happen at night.

Ms Onipko lists the challenges the organizers had to face during their work:

• Convincing investors to come to Ukraine: Security is a major concern. While Kyiv has strong air defenses and statistically, the risks are low, it’s still a challenge to reassure international investors. That said, the organizers assure that every guest has been pleasantly surprised by how secure and vibrant the city feels.

‘We’re also working to create a sense of urgency for investors, highlighting that the time to invest in and build relationships with Ukrainian companies is now. After the war, there will be a rush to Ukraine, but by then, it’ll be too late,’ Ms Onipko adds.

• Logistics: With no flights to Ukraine, travel requires careful coordination of air, train, and bus routes. It often takes 24-48 hours to reach Kyiv.
• Funding: For volunteer-run non-profit organizations, funding is always a challenge. Invest in Bravery has been fortunate to have strong backing from Czech ministries, venture capital firms like Presto Ventures, and nonprofits such as Helvetas Ukraine.
• Travel permits for Ukrainian male founders: Invest In Bravery organizes events not only in Kyiv but also across Europe. Since most men are legally restricted to leave Ukraine, securing travel permits requires careful planning. For example, Oleksandr Barabash from Falcons, had the opportunity to attend the Engaged Investment Conference in Prague this October and pitch at the Regional Finals for a chance to compete at the Startup World Cup in San Francisco for a USD 1M prize. The Invest In Bravery team managed to secure him a travel permit with just two days’ notice.
• Local partnerships: The core team is based outside Ukraine, so finding knowledgeable, committed partners on the ground was crucial. Collaborating with Techosystem for the recent event has been a game-changer, the organizers admit.

Conclusion and Ambition

Having overcome these and other possible challenges, the Invest In Bravery team hit its attendance KPIs, received great feedback, and facilitated many meaningful connections. The team admits that for the third event in Kyiv, the quality has improved significantly. The ‘Apply to attend’ model allowed the organizers to curate attendance ensuring a quality mix of founders, investors, and ecosystem players. Several pitch competition participants are already benefiting, with four teams receiving mentorship and six more heading to Prague for workshops and investor pitches next Spring, and the team is confident that funding outcomes are soon to follow.

‘That said, we learned a lot. Next time, we will add more networking, interactive workshops, and improve communication leading up to the pitch competition,’ Ms Onipko tells ITKeyMedia.

In future, the Invest In Bravery team is planning an annual flagship event in Ukraine with satellite events across Europe. So far, such events have taken place in Germany and the Czech Republic. The goal is to expand to Poland, the Baltics, and the Nordics – Ukraine’s key supporters. Vertical-wise, the team’s focus aligns with industries covered by Ukraine’s strategic innovation vision including defense tech, cybersecurity, greentech, agritech, XR, AI, and several others.

‘Investors and startup founders in the Czech Republic and across Central and Eastern Europe realize that if Ukraine loses, their countries could be next in line. There is an incredible level of motivation among Ukrainian entrepreneurs. We want to experience the local ecosystem firsthand and invest in the most promising projects. It’s the right thing to do, it’s moral, and in the future, it may help protect our lives,’ Presto Ventures’ partner Vojta Roček concludes.