TechExchange
TechExchange
UK–Ukraine TechExchange was founded by Andriy Dovbenko in 2023, following his direct involvement in supporting Ukraine’s defence effort from the earliest stages of the full-scale invasion.
From the outset of the war, Andriy became an active private contributor to Ukraine’s Armed Forces, working through charitable initiatives to fund and deliver critical equipment and technologies to the frontline. This work provided him with insight into what technologies were effective and what failed under real conditions.
Thus, a significant part of this effort involved identifying and sourcing technologies — both Ukrainian and international — that could strengthen frontline capability and save lives.
He saw that many of the most effective solutions were being developed inside Ukraine by local engineers, startups, and defence companies responding in real time to battlefield needs. These technologies demonstrated speed, adaptability, and cost-efficiency that were often unmatched by traditional defence systems.
At the same time, it became evident that this ecosystem faced structural constraints: limited access to international capital, restricted exposure to Western defence markets, and a lack of structured pathways to scale beyond wartime deployment.
UK-Ukraine TechExchange was created to address this gap.
He saw that many of the most effective solutions were being developed inside Ukraine by local engineers, startups, and defence companies responding in real time to battlefield needs. These technologies demonstrated speed, adaptability, and cost-efficiency that were often unmatched by traditional defence systems.
At the same time, it became evident that this ecosystem faced structural constraints: limited access to international capital, restricted exposure to Western defence markets, and a lack of structured pathways to scale beyond wartime deployment.
UK-Ukraine TechExchange was created to address this gap.
- facilitating access to international funding and investors
- supporting commercial sustainability and scaling
- creating visibility within the UK defence and policy ecosystem
- enabling structured engagement with partners, institutions, and decision-makers
The focus is on companies developing life-saving technologies, including electronic warfare, counter-drone and autonomous systems.
- facilitating access to international funding and investors
- supporting commercial sustainability and scaling
- creating visibility within the UK defence and policy ecosystem
- enabling structured engagement with partners, institutions, and decision-makers
The focus is on companies developing life-saving technologies, including electronic warfare, counter-UAS and autonomous systems.
companies succeed
- Investor readiness & fundraising support
- Strategic introductions & networking
- Media visibility & narrative building
- Exclusive events & forums
- Market insight & advisory
- Donor engagement & fundraising campaigns
companies succeed
- Investor readiness & fundraising support
- Strategic introductions & networking
- Media visibility & narrative building
- Exclusive events & forums
- Market insight & advisory
- Donor engagement & fundraising campaigns
TechExchange mentors startups on crafting compelling pitch decks. The project team assisted with polishing pitch presentations and storytelling to meet international venture capital standards.
TechExchange mentors startups on crafting compelling pitch decks. The project team assisted with polishing pitch presentations and storytelling to meet international venture capital standards.
A hallmark of TechExchange is brokering the right connections. The program provides bespoke introductions to potential partners, clients, mentors, and investors in both the UK and Ukraine.
TechExchange leverages its membership in organisations like The D Group and relationships with UK MoD to give Ukrainian founders access to decision-makers.
A hallmark of TechExchange is brokering the right connections. The program provides bespoke introductions to potential partners, clients, mentors, and investors in both the UK and Ukraine.
TechExchange leverages its membership in organisations like The D Group and relationships with UK MoD to give Ukrainian founders access to decision-makers.
A core part of TechExchange’s work is positioning cohort companies within the UK defence ecosystem by securing the right speaking and event opportunities. Cohort companies have been invited to speak and present at major defence platforms, including Defence IQ conferences, the London Defence Conference, Future Forces demo days, and UK–Ukraine DefenceTech Forums convening policymakers, industry, and capital.
A core part of TechExchange’s work is positioning cohort companies within the UK defence ecosystem by securing the right speaking and event opportunities. Cohort companies have been invited to speak and present at major defence platforms, including Defence IQ conferences, the London Defence Conference, Future Forces demo days, and UK–Ukraine DefenceTech Forums convening policymakers, industry, and capital.
For Ukrainian companies, these engagements provide a pathway from battlefield deployment to structured engagement with industry, government, and investors — enabling technologies that have proven effective in combat to be understood, evaluated, and adopted within a UK context.
Strategic direction
Through the ongoing engagement across defence, policy, and industry, TechExchange contributes bridging the gap between battlefield innovation and institutional capability. This involves translating real-world experience to inform procurement decisions, industrial development, and long-term resilience planning.
The emphasis is on ensuring that insights shaped under conditions of active conflict are reflected in how the UK approaches defence technology, supply chains, and operational readiness.
In this context, TechExchange continues to evolve as a platform connecting those building and deploying technology in Ukraine with those responsible for shaping capability in the UK.
Strategic direction
Through the ongoing engagement across defence, policy, and industry, TechExchange contributes bridging the gap between battlefield innovation and institutional capability. This involves translating real-world experience to inform procurement decisions, industrial development, and long-term resilience planning.
The emphasis is on ensuring that insights shaped under conditions of active conflict are reflected in how the UK approaches defence technology, supply chains, and operational readiness.
In this context, TechExchange continues to evolve as a platform connecting those building and deploying technology in Ukraine with those responsible for shaping capability in the UK.