Vitali Klitschko: “I’m ready to be a bodyguard to Ukraine’s IT industry”
The Emerging Global Tech Hubs panel was held as part of the World Economic Forum where the mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, called for investment in the innovative development of Kyiv
Davos, January 24, 2018 – A panel on innovative cities was held at Ukraine House Davos (Switzerland). Participants in the event discussed the role of Kyiv as a new IT hub in Central and Eastern Europe. Among them were Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko, CEO of UFuture Investment Group Nicholas Tymoshchuk, head of Leading Strategic Communications at Web Summit Mike Harvey, CEO of Israel Advanced Technology Industries Karin Rubinstein. The event took place at Ukraine House Davos, the first Ukrainian pavilion in the history of the World Economic Forum with the support of the innovation park UNIT.City. Video broadcast of the event is available here.
“We have actively taken up the creation of smart infrastructure in Kyiv and continue making the capital smart. In the two years, Kyiv has done as much as other cities do within 20 years. Kyiv is open to entrepreneurs and investors. This is a unique chance to join in the technological and innovative development of the Ukrainian capital. We need technology, modern devices and equipment, new ideas. And we invite investors to cooperate and we guarantee comprehensive support. I’m not an expert in IT, but I’m ready to be a bodyguard to the IT industry and all innovators.” Vitali Klitschko said
Vitali Klitschko stressed that to ensure the further development of the city and the country, it is very important that talented innovators do not leave Ukraine. According to the mayor, Kyiv has great intellectual, professional potential, which is today in worldwide demand.
Also, the participants of the discussion paid special attention to the development of the IT infrastructure of the city and its key element, UNIT.City. Nicholas Tymoshchuk highlighted the role of UNIT.City in the development of Ukraine as an IT hub in Eastern and Central Europe.
“This is the first project of this scale in Ukraine. The goal of the project in the international arena is to become a point of entry into Ukraine for foreign investors, partners, customers and new technologies.” Nicholas Tymoshchuk said
“I have not seen anything like this almost anywhere in the world. It’s hard to comprehend if you have not been there yet. It will be an honor for me to observe how this project is developing and becoming the leading IT hub for Europe and for the world” said Karin Rubinstein, who visited UNIT.City in the fall of 2017
The slogan of Ukraine House Davos is “Ukraine: Creativity. Innovation. Opportunity.” The organizer of the project is the Ukrainian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (UVCA) in partnership with the Western NIS Enterprise Fund and the Victor Pinchuk Foundation. Ciklum and the IT Ukraine Association are also partners of Ukraine House Davos.
About UNIT.City
UNIT.City is the first innovation park in Ukraine. This is where infrastructure and ecosystems are created for the development of businesses in the field of high technologies and creative industries. The mission of UNIT.City is to build a unique innovation center where corporations, start-ups and professionals will be able to cooperate with each other and grow rapidly and qualitatively. UNIT.City is part of UFuture Investment Group.
UNIT.City’s plans for the next five years:
- 500,000 square meters designed for business, education and innovation
- An area of 25 hectares
- 1,500 places in coworking
- 10 labs
- $200 mln in investment
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About UFuture Investment Group
UFuture Investment Group is a conglomerate and an investment company founded by Ukrainian entrepreneur Vasyl Khmelnytsky. UFuture represents his companies and projects in Ukraine and abroad, as well as coordinates their activities in the international arena.
The group includes such companies as UDP, UDP Renewables, Biofarma, Kyiv International Airport, Bila Tserkva Industrial Park, LvivTech.City Innovation Park, RTM Ukraine.
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