In the conditions of war, innovations for Ukraine have ceased to be a matter of the future — they have become an instrument of survival, resilience, and recovery. That is why the issues of technology development, protection of intellectual property, and support for entrepreneurs are acquiring strategic importance today.
Olena Orliuk, Head of the IP Office (UANIPIO), speaks about key innovative areas, the role of intellectual property in scaling socially and environmentally responsible solutions, challenges for startups during the war, and the growing role of women in leadership.
What innovative projects are currently developing most dynamically in Ukraine?
Today, innovative projects in the fields of DefenceTech, MedTech, AgroTech, EdTech, GovTech, GreenTech, cybersecurity, and semiconductor technologies are developing most dynamically in Ukraine, and this list is not exhaustive. These precise directions are defined by the Strategy for Digital Development of Innovation Activity of Ukraine until 2030 – and at the same time, they respond to the challenges of wartime and the tasks of post-war recovery. A separate important direction is the development of veteran entrepreneurship, which is increasingly being actively integrated into the country’s innovation ecosystem.
Can innovations in Ukraine be considered merely technologies? Absolutely not. It is, above all, a tool for achieving resilience and rapid adaptation to constantly changing conditions. Let me give an example from our practice. At the end of 2025, the Neuro Impact Challenge project “Innovative Solutions for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases” concluded, co-organized by UANIPIO (IP Office), the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the “Yuria-Pharm” company within the Lab2Market MedTech acceleration program.
Nine teams, which included students, scientists, doctors, and inventors, presented their developments aimed at treating neurological diseases, improving the quality of life of patients, and enhancing diagnostics. This is an example of a public-private partnership in the innovation sector, demonstrating that Ukrainian innovations have a deep scientific foundation, an interdisciplinary approach, and real potential for entering international markets.
How does intellectual property help entrepreneurs implement socially and environmentally responsible solutions?
Intellectual property provides entrepreneurs with a tool for trust and scaling. A protected solution attracts investments, partners, and grant funding more easily, and it can also be transferred or licensed for wider social use — effectively, this is about its commercialisation.
For socially and environmentally responsible projects, intellectual property is a way not only to formulate an idea but also to format it as a specific object and obtain state-level protection. What does this mean in practice? It means that an innovation transitions from an idea to an implemented solution and can develop as a fully-fledged product or service.
What challenges and opportunities do you see for startups and innovative companies during and after the war?
Among the key challenges are a lack of resources, risks to teams, and the complexity of long-term planning. At the same time, the war became a catalyst for innovation: Ukrainian startups learned to quickly test solutions, work with real demands, and enter international markets.
These skills are a significant competitive advantage, and Ukraine is already perceived as a country of decisions — this opens up substantial opportunities for growth.
How does your office support the development of Ukrainian companies and the protection of innovations in times of crisis?
The National IP & Innovations Hub successfully operates on the basis of UANIPIO, which in 2025 alone provided over 11.5 thousand consultations on IP and innovation issues, held 125 events joined by over 10 thousand participants from various regions of Ukraine, opened 6 Technology and Innovation Support Centers (TISCs) – in total, 48 TISCs are already functioning in Ukraine, supports the activities of 4 regional innovation hubs, prepared 50 information and analytical products on IP and innovation issues (analytical reports, guides, dashboards, digests), and conducted two acceleration programs: Lab2Market Veterano and Lab2Market MedTech.
In addition, UANIPIO, in cooperation with the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office, launched a new stage of support for entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators. On the “Diia.Business” portal, a new category, “Intellectual Property,” appeared in the consultation section, and a new online course, “Intellectual Property and Business,” was presented.
The Kyiv Regional Military Administration, with the support of UANIPIO, implemented a program to reimburse the costs of registering IP objects for SMEs. A similar initiative was also introduced by the Lviv City Council with the assistance of the IP Office.
What is the role of women leaders in the development of innovation and the recovery of Ukraine?
The development of innovation and the recovery of Ukraine today is the result of the joint work of women and men who take responsibility in business, science, state administration, and the public sector. It is precisely the diversity of experience, approaches, and management styles that allows for finding more resilient and effective solutions.
At the same time, the role of women in leadership has significantly grown over recent years. Women are increasingly leading innovative teams, launching startups, managing transformational processes, and participating in policymaking. Their contribution is often associated with a long-term vision, social impact, and the development of human capital, which is critical during the country’s recovery period.
For its part, UANIPIO consistently works to strengthen the role of women in the field of intellectual property and innovation. The Ukrainian IP Academy, operating on the basis of UANIPIO, in cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization Academy, completed a project in 2025 for craftswomen of national arts and crafts titled “The Role of Intellectual Property in Preserving the Nation’s Code,” aimed at supporting female entrepreneurship and preserving cultural heritage.
In addition, the IP Academy launched the project “Empowering Women in Innovation and Startups” with the support of the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), which brought together over 680 women from all over Ukraine. This is not only about training but also about forming a community, accessing practical tools, and the opportunity to realize one’s own innovative ideas.
In conclusion, it is partnership, complementarity, and equal opportunities that guarantee Ukraine’s innovative development will be inclusive, sustainable, and competitive.
What would you advise young entrepreneurs who strive to combine business success with benefit to society?
First of all, think about intellectual property from the very beginning of the business path.
Do not be afraid of partnerships: with universities, the state, and international programs.
And remember that social meaning and economic efficiency do not contradict each other. On the contrary – it is on their combination that the most successful innovative projects are built today.
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Photo: from the archieve of Olena Orliuk