Ukraine is poised to become a key player in fulfilling the technological demands of the European Union, which currently relies on solutions from China and the United States. This is confirmed by the findings of the EU-Ukraine Digital Sector Interlinkages Report, prepared by a consortium of Ukrainian and European IT clusters as part of the ITBridge project.
To reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, the EU is investing billions of euros in developing its own technologies through the European Chips Act. While many initiatives require time for implementation, Ukraine can already offer its solutions in several areas.
The research involved an expert group of 33 specialists from 31 organizations who identified critical technologies for EU security, such as Big Data, cybersecurity, and IoT, as well as sectors affecting economic competitiveness, including AI and 5G.
According to ITBridge, Ukraine is ready to partner with the EU in nine technological areas, including Big Data, cybersecurity, and robotics.
In 2024, Ukraine's IT service exports reached $6.8 billion, indicating the readiness of the Ukrainian market to collaborate with European businesses. More than 328,000 IT professionals are working in Ukraine, with over 20,000 new graduates entering the market each year.
Notably, successful residents of "Diia.City", such as Samsung and Visa, affirm the stability of the regulatory environment. Most companies in the Ukrainian market are already operating internationally.
The study also emphasizes opportunities for Ukrainian businesses within the EU Single Market Program, as well as Horizon Europe and Digital Europe Programme, which provide access to funding for joint projects.
Additionally, the Enterprise Europe Network helps Ukrainian companies find international partners, while six European digital innovation hubs offer support to small and medium enterprises.
For clusters, the European Cluster Collaboration Platform facilitates partner search, and the EU-Ukraine Cluster Partnership Programme provides funding for collaborative projects.
It is crucial that cooperation between Ukrainian and European businesses takes place as a partnership rather than outsourcing, focusing on joint development and innovation.