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War in Ukraine has pushed women into more leadership roles in its growing tech sector, where they are gaining experience and contacts abroad that could help rebuild the economy when the conflict ends, some entrepreneurs, companies and investors say.
With most men unable to leave Ukraine, women tech entrepreneurs like Anna Lissova, 30, who runs mental health startup Pleso Therapy, have taken charge of raising funds, finding new clients abroad and embracing other key roles.
Before the war she focused on recruiting therapists in Ukraine. Now she travels abroad to pitch the company at conferences and has led product launches in Poland and Romania.
“I’ve seen more women starting companies after the war and taking on bigger positions because they can talk to investors and help develop brands to new customers,” Korzh said.
“This is also helping keep attention on Ukraine and spreading the word about the potential of its tech sector.”
For many tech workers, Poland is a first stop as it borders Ukraine and the countries have long business and cultural ties.
Mykhailo Khaletskyi of the Polish-Ukrainian Startup Bridge – a group that provides grants, co-working space and other assistance said: “We see women driving new funding rounds and gaining experience that will help to establish new companies and attract international talent and funding,” he said.
Anastasiia Smyk, 27, an aeronautical engineer, launched her aviation operations management software company Input Soft outside Ukraine in Warsaw, where she tapped a burgeoning refugee tech community. Her product is now used in the United States, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
“When talking to male investors, there were questions like ‘Why were you appointed CEO of this company?’ or ‘Please share if you have any male business partners'” she said. But she fought against the prejudice.
“My job was to find investments, recognition in the global market, and international clients who would become our early adopters, which was not easy for a no-name startup company from Ukraine,” Smyk said.
Looking at the startups founded by Ukrainian refugees she predicts many will return to the country when the war ends and give a huge boost.
“I want to return to Ukraine to be part of the rebuilding and revitalization of our country… We are even open to working pro-bono just to see the first civil aircraft in Ukrainian skies as soon as possible,” she said.
