When the edtech firm Preply reached unicorn status earlier this year, its Kyiv team marked the occasion with cake — as is customary, even amid a conflict.

Over the four years following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukrainian startups have not only managed to endure: they continue to innovate and expand. Preply, for example, plans to use funds from its latest investment round to recruit around 100 engineers globally — including in Ukraine, where one-third of its engineering workforce is located.

Preply stands as one example among numerous cases. The defense technology sector has drawn significant attention, particularly for the rapid pace at which new innovations are deployed in combat. Yet, the same engineering expertise and creativity are proving to be vital across various fields also aiding in fortifying Ukraine.

Facing a significantly larger aggressor, Ukraine adopts a serious stance towards attempts to evade conscription. Nonetheless, startups may receive special status that protects essential personnel from being drafted if they are recognized as bolstering the nation — and Aspichi is among them, as its founder, Victor Samoilenko, explained to TechCrunch.

Initially established in the U.S. in 2021, the company underwent a total transformation with the onset of the war. It is now primarily known for Luminify, a mixed-reality platform dedicated to mental health care that assists Ukrainians in dealing with trauma from the conflict. The startup works closely with military units as well as several clinics that offer mental health services to the community.

This includes soldiers and veterans, grieving families, and millions who have relocated to western Ukraine or overseas. For those who have always resided in Kyiv, the psychological impact is equally severe.

“Everyone is enduring hardship,” Samoilenko remarked. “My daughter has celebrated several New Year’s and Christmas underground; thus, the emotional fallout is immense.”

During a winter characterized by almost daily strikes on the power grid, Ukraine’s capital has not been spared. Natali Trubnikova, CMO at the Kyiv-based IT consulting firm Gart Solutions, noted that residents have adapted to outages with high-capacity power banks, gasoline cookers, and diesel generators. However, increasing costs necessitate that these resources are used judiciously, often resulting in indoor temperatures being kept at a bare minimum.

These severe conditions have transformed offices into shelters from the cold.

“Our office is equipped with various generators to ensure we have electricity, internet, and warmth, and it remains open 24/7 for any Ukrainian team member to utilize at any time,” Preply CEO Kirill Bigai shared with TechCrunch last month.

For smaller enterprises, coworking spaces have also evolved into sanctuaries. LIFT99 Kyiv Hub, a six-year-old facility that was damaged by a Russian attack last August, has experienced a surge in membership since reopening two months ago, according to sales and partnership manager Lada Samarska’s LinkedIn update.

Despite missile assaults, Kyiv remains distant enough from the frontlines to retain its status as Ukraine’s primary startup hub, though it is not alone in this regard. Lviv, the largest city in western Ukraine, has attracted a considerable number of displaced Ukrainians, including tech professionals. LEM Station, a revamped tram depot transformed into a creative hub, symbolizes its expanding ecosystem, which has also gained from its closeness to the Polish border.

Although the number of international visitors has decreased, Lviv is still accessible by train, and the IT Arena 2025 tech conference welcomed 6,450 participants from over 40 countries. While a segment focused on defense tech, the event also highlighted support for a broader spectrum of startups. Despite ongoing hostilities, VC firms remain active in the nation, including 1991, Flyer One Ventures, and SMRK.

Regardless of the challenges, Ukrainians continue to attend tech conferences abroad. At Techarena in Stockholm earlier this month, members of a Ukrainian delegation expressed fatigue and anticipation for the spring. Yet before parting ways, they began to enumerate Ukraine’s unicorns — a fitting response, even in the face of war.