Web Summit : Tech is Ukraine future
Web Summit : meet a digitalized society
Web Summit figures are more impressive than ever : 71,033 attendees from 160 countries, 2,296 startups and 342 partners from 94 countries. Web Summit 2022 is definitely a Z Gen event. Youth was there, attendees, start-ups, speakers, investors.
Web Summit is the place where I experience three things : a global feeling if the future of tech, smart tips and advices that are useful for daily life, and « weak signals » about society, watching the way people dress, move, gather. The global feeling this year is the incredibly fast-pace of tech in all sectors. Not really new, it was documented before. “How To Avoid Burnout And Succeed In The Fast-Paced Tech Industry”. But in 2022 and 2023 we are living in a digitalized society , wether we like it or not. « Agile success requires flexibility and collaboration”.Paddy Cosgrave Web Summit CEO and co-founder insisted with an hommage to his 300 people team “You’ll never buid anything on your own.” Ukraine at war not only has never stopped working, it has also proven an incredible solidarity between people of devastated cities and rural areas. Meeting Ukraine was my priority and by chance companies like Sigma or Softserve and Ukraine Tech Ecosystem were in Pavilion 1, the closest to the Center Stage. Ukraine is not only war, Ukraine is youth, talents and tech.
Ukraine « a brave new tech world »
Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska spoke at the Opening Night ceremony last night Tuesday, November 1, highlighting the role of technology in Ukraine and later on Twitter « time to invest in our IT, because leading technologies is a way to victory.)
Ukraine and the yellow and blue colours were omnipresent in the talks and louges from the first day. The world champion boxer Oleksandr Usyk joined Maksym Lyashko, CEO of Parimatch Tech, in a press conference to discuss how they build their successful strategies in business and sports, as »freedom fighters ».At the same time Olesya Malovana. Chairwoman of the Board of Ukranian Hub could be met at Start up University. A precious contact for start-ups expertise and charity funds.
On Thursday November 3 a Press Conference with Brad Smith Vice Chair President of Microsoft with Ukraine Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov gave fresh news. Brad Smith announced « Microsoft will extend technology support free of charge for Ukraine throughout year 2023. Brad Smith seemed sincere, revolted « by the Russian missile attacks on civilians and humanitarian organisations. « 100 millions dollars are planned for different purposes including document war crimes.” Today’s commitment will bring Microsoft’s total support for Ukraine to more than $400 million since the war began in February.” But says Brad Smith, “there is no substitute for the heroism of people of Ukraine. » « Young guys in the Front Line are using Instagram, the new generation in Ukraine is about tech » says Mykhailo Fedorov.
At Center Stage Standing ovation for Mykhailo Fedorov again. His clear and convincing demonstration of Ukraine tech advance in spite of the war gives hope. Tech for battlefield and for services to citizens. The theme « Building a better Ukraine » included presenting the Ukrainian « IT » Army. “This is the most technically advanced war on human history”and “We need the most innovative servies for citizens” and “We are the best place for your ideas” He sumed up on twitter.« Ukraine is the best test ground for tech businesses & startups. In you can develop and scale your product 10x time faster than in any other country. This is my message at@WebSummit’22. Advanced digital solutions worldwide combined with Ukraine’s bravery — joint victory. »
Meeting young Ukrainian Tech talents
« Imagine, 5 am in the morning,I heard explosions. It was bombs. People running to their cars. It was like a blurry dream . What the hell is happening? » That’s how Denys Smyrnov, working for Sigma, remembers February 24, Russian invading and bombing Ukraine. Sigma, a Swedish Ukranian company had to evacuate 2000 employees. But never mind, 90% work t and Den did not stop working and communicating about Sigma and Ukraine, convincing people to invest in tech in Ukraine where hard working people can be found. “Expect a better tomorrow” promises Sigma.
At Softserve,the biggest global service IT with Ukranian roots, I met with two young people who introduced me to charity fund they are working with: https://opentech.softserveinc.com and https://openeyes.org.ua/en. Both lived the Russian invasion, but after two months, fear had gone replaced by desire to go on working. Thanks to Web Summit App, I could also connect to Olha Klymenko who confirmed Open Eyes Charity Fund implements projects in Ukraine and Poland.
On November 4 a masterclass was organized with start-ups from Ukraine.Alex Bonyakov (ministry of Digital Transformation Serhiy Berezhnyy (KOLO) . Discovering the diverse and innovative start-ups, the feeling of hope became concrete. They are too numerous to be all reviewed. Let’s mention Kolo, wanting toast “an emotional touch”“We are just like many other people in tech. We love to solve difficult tasks and make life better through innovation. We also love our country, home to many wonderful IT products. It breaks our hearts to see our home being destroyed” . Sigma, Zibra AI, Sirens art gallery and almost all of them are saying the same thing : “We are Ukrainians, when the war started, we felt like we wanted to help our country by any means, that’s how we decided to develop the website widget, that will help to inform website visitors about the situation in Ukraine, and help Ukrainian official resources to get some donations.” Put a Help Ukraine widget on you website is so innovative
HOW TO HELP? Donations links (to be completed) #StandWithUkraine️
-Official Gov @u24_gov_ua united hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world in helping
-UkrARMY cats & dogs@UAarmy_animalsWe fight for freedom and for Ukraine. For donates PayPal: vitaliys007@gmail.com
-Kolo : https://www.koloua.com/en/donate Every donation helps to stop the war, brings Ukraine closer to peace and helps people come back home.
https://parimatch.tech/parimatch-tech-helps-ukraine-withstand-russian-invasion-you-could-help-too/ Many useful links at Parimatch and ParimatchFoundation
- https://opentech.softserveinc.com and https://openeyes.org.ua/en. The — Parimatch
-Put a Help Ukraine widget on you website
- https://donorbox.org/medicine-and-medical-supplies-fundraiser
