Consortium of Ukraine’s leading ecosystem players team up to launch startup database

Dealroom.co, Europe’s most comprehensive technology industry data and intelligence platform, in partnership with Consortium of Ukraine’s leading ecosystem players has launched the most extensive startup and venture capital ecosystem platform dedicated to the Ukrainian tech scene to date. The consortium consists of key players in Ukraine’s tech ecosystem led by ICU Ventures, Kyiv-based venture capital fund that invests in technology companies with strong ties to Ukraine and Eastern Europe, part of ICU group. Other partners are the Ukrainian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (UVCA, unites 50+ investment funds from Ukraine and globally), Western NIS Enterprise Fund (a $150 million regional fund), Horizon Capital ($850 million assets under management), TechUkraine (a nation-wide platform, uniting key Tech players to develop the ecosystem) and AVentures Capital (seed stage investor). We’ve also partnered with AIN.ua, Ukraine’s leading tech publication with over 1 million monthly visitors.

The ecosystem platform provides insights about Ukrainian startups, scaleups, corporates, investment by industry and much more. Link to the platform: https://ukraine.dealroom.co/home

“Dealroom.co is excited to partner with the Consortium of Ukraine’s leading ecosystem players as we collectively understand the importance of data on the ecosystem in Ukraine. By being able to provide an extensive tool that is accessible for anyone in the world and to showcase what is happening in Ukraine’s tech scene, especially startups and venture, we hope to bring more global attention to one of the fastest-growing hubs in Europe”, mentioned  Yoram Wijngaarde, CEO & Founder Dealroom.co.

“UVCA has provided a voice to Ukrainian achievements within the country and globally, and we believe there are a lot of developments to be proud of. Investors often address the Association in order to find Ukrainian startups – this is why we support the formation of a consolidated online database. We are glad to become partners of Dealroom.co in Ukraine alongside our members”, said Оlga Afanasyeva, CEO at UVCA.

“Ukraine is rich with talented IT-entrepreneurs and developers. What we lack is the ecosystem where this talent can bloom and grow big. As one of the leaders of the Ukrainian financial sector, ICU aims at helping Ukrainian startups become successful and gain international exposure. That is why ICU Ventures not only invests in startups but supports projects like creating a Ukrainian Dealroom database. It will be a one-stop for venture investors looking for information about Ukrainian companies. More visibility will bring more investment, which is crucial for aspiring startups”, said Roman Nikitov, Co-Head of ICU Ventures.

Why Ukraine?

• The last 5 years have become crucial for Ukraine’s economy overall and especially its local tech ecosystem. The country is experiencing exciting times – and they already have something to be proud of. Especially in the SaaS and AI industries.
• The Ukrainian investment market is growing steadily: last year the total volume of VC investments into Ukrainian IT companies has reached $544M and for the first time surpassed a $500M mark.
• Ukraine has 185 000 tech specialists with outstanding skills in AI and math – and around 50% of them are based at Kyiv (17% in Kharkiv, 13% in Lviv).
• More than 20 new venture capital funds have established their offices here in the last few years.
• Kyiv is one of the most dynamic startup ecosystems in Eastern Europe and a great place for developing new businesses and creative ideas.
• Two next big challenges for Ukraine’s tech ecosystem are to attract more venture capital to Kyiv and to build more powerful connections with global markets.

How can you contribute?

Anyone can contribute to the development of the online platform by entering or updating data on startups and technology companies. Together, we will be able to build a holistic picture of the Ukrainian ecosystem to serve and inform all local and international players.

About Dealroom.co

Founded in 2013, Dealroom is an Amsterdam-based data and software platform, providing worldwide intelligence about startups, innovation and venture capital investment to governments, VCs and individuals. The most comprehensive database on tech ecosystems, Dealroom is used by local governments, startup hubs, venture capitalists, and the entire technology industry, to explore, analyse, and showcase the performance characteristics of innovative companies, mainly startups and scaleups, across Europe and the world. Its reports have become the European startup landscape reference, published by the Economist, Financial Times, BBC, The New York Times and the Washington Post. For more information, visit www.dealroom.co.

About UVCA

Ukrainian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (UVCA) has been established in mid-2014 by the model of the Invest Europe, and currently unites more than 50 members – private equity and venture funds, accelerators, incubators, and educational institutions that make a significant impact on the development of Ukrainian investment market. Association promotes investment opportunities of Ukraine, conducts market research, lobbies laws for improving investment and business climate.

About ICU Ventures

ICU Ventures is a Kyiv-based venture capital fund that invests in technology companies with strong ties to Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Focused on helping ambitious founders build global businesses, ICU Ventures makes late seed and series A investments across the tech spectrum.

ICU Ventures is part of the ICU Group, an independent asset management firm founded in 2006 by senior investment professionals from ING. With significant allocations to venture capital, private equity, infrastructure & distressed debt, ICU is one of the largest and most diversified asset managers in the CEE region.

About Horizon Capital

Horizon Capital is the leading private equity firm in Ukraine backed by over 40 institutional investors, managing four funds with assets under management of over $850 million and a tenure of 25 years in the region. Horizon Capital is an active value-added investor, backing visionary entrepreneurs who lead transformational businesses in Ukraine and the region. Investment strategy is focused primarily on export-driven companies and select domestic champions in fast-growing sectors of the economy, including IT, light manufacturing, food and agriculture, e-commerce and pharma. We are known for our integrity, commitment to transparency, governance, value creation and successful exits. More info at www.horizoncapital.com.ua.

About Western NIS Enterprise Fund

Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF) is a $150 million regional fund, a pioneer in Ukraine and Moldova with more than two decades of successful experience in investing in small and medium-sized companies. WNISEF was funded by the U.S. government via the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Since its inception, WNISEF’s cumulative investments total over $186 million to 130 companies employing around 26,000 people and made it possible to unlock $1.8 billion for companies in Ukraine and Moldova.

About AVentures Capital

AVentures Capital team backs talented Ukrainian entrepreneurs with innovative ideas, global thinking and solid execution skills. The fund invests in early stage startups as well as advises IT businesses across all stages and other fund on strategy and execution. They split their time between Kyiv and San Francisco, investing in companies that disrupt global markets while using Ukraine-based R&D teams as a leverage in global competition. The Fund’s investment focus spans across software tech, including such areas as machine learning, big data, AR, VR, SaaS, cloud, storage, enterprise, web, mobile, IoT and others.

About AIN.ua

Ukraine’s leading tech publication with over 1 million monthly visitors. Every month, they select the most critical news and produce our own stories, read by more than two million people. They are the advocates of professional journalism and verified facts. AIN.ua also greatly value the freedom of information dissemination and publish personal opinions in the respective section.

About TechUkraine

TechUkraine is a nation-wide platform based on the desire to strengthen the Ukrainian technological ecosystem and bring Ukraine into the leaders of technological countries in the world. TechUkraine focuses on supporting Ukraine’s fast-growing tech ecosystem, driving the cooperation of ecosystem leaders, government officials, business partners, and donors to further support Tech and to spread the word.