Sigma Software at ReBuild Ukraine: Connecting Innovation, Investment & Ukraine’s Future

ReBuild Ukraine – one of the key events aimed at rebuilding Ukraine – this year brought together 762 companies, 33 countries, and 160 Ukrainian communities. Government officials, industry leaders, energy and construction experts, municipalities, international organizations, investors, and technology companies — gathered for meaningful dialogue and practical cooperation.

Sigma Software Group delegation joined the Digital Strategic Partners for Rebuild Ukraine pavilion, organized by the Kharkiv IT Cluster together with the European Commission. Our experts presented Sigma Software’s capabilities and initiatives – Valery Krasovsky, CEO and Co-Founder of Sigma Software Group, Daria Yaniieva, Investment Director at Sigma Software Labs, Olga Ksonzenko, Government Relations Director at Sigma Software, Oksana Myronko, Deputy of Government Relations Director at Sigma Software, and Yaroslava Gritsaienko, Operations Manager at Sigma Software Labs.

Two days of the exhibition and conference were filled with opportunities to launch new businesses, explore funding mechanisms, and support key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, industry, and housing. While the strong aspects of the event – coordination and promotion of recovery project – remained, its focus moved far beyond assistance — toward partnership, co-creation, and building sustainable, long-term collaboration models.

Besides the traditional areas for the conference – energy, construction, infrastructure – newly emerging staples were presented.

A Breakthrough Moment for Dual-Use Technologies

For the first time, dual-use and defense-tech solutions became a part of the agenda of the entire expo. Participants actively explored how to engage with Ukraine’s defense-tech ecosystem: from discovering promising military and dual-use startups to understanding where to meet founders and how to connect with innovation hubs driving mission-critical solutions.

Sigma Software Group representatives showcased our projects aimed at supporting dual-use and defense-tech solutions – Defence Builder, an accelerator program for defense tech startups with 500+ startups in their network, DEFENDER Ventures, the first Ukrainian venture capital fund dedicated to early-stage defense tech startups, and Defender Media, a niche media platform dedicated to covering the business side of Ukraine’s defense tech industry.

Photo credit: Kharkiv ITCluster

International partners showed increasing interest in integrating Ukrainian wartime know-how into European processes. Teams who have been innovating under pressure bring unique, practical expertise — something European institutions now explicitly seek.

Financial Institutions: Stronger Presence, Greater Openness, Easier Access

Another strong trend at this year’s event was the remarkable presence and openness of financial institutions. Compared to previous years, there was a clear increase in the number of banks, funds, and investment organizations — and they were significantly more approachable:

• High-level representation from the European Commission, DFC, European Investment Bank, and others

• Active participation by Polish, Czech, and German banks presenting funding terms for Ukrainian and international companies

• Greater accessibility, making it easier to arrange meetings, ask direct questions, and explore available opportunities

Key Sessions and Side Events

One of the highlights of Rebuild Ukraine 2025 was the closed session “closed session “Investing in Resilience & Defense,” featuring Daria Yaniieva, Investment Director at Sigma Software Labs, and Oksana Myronko, Deputy of GR Director at Sigma Software. Moderated by the European Commission’s Service for Ukraine, the session brought together EU and Ukrainian companies operating in strategic industrial sectors and dual-use technologies, alongside major financial institutions. Participants showcased their activities, shared investment plans, and engaged in targeted Q&A with potential partners. One of the key topics was the role of European instruments that could potentially help scale production and support projects of Ukrainian companies.

Photo credit: Kharkiv ITCluster

Sigma Software also hosted a dedicated session on the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund, launched with $150 million in seed capital, equally contributed by both nations. Moderated by Oksana Myronko in partnership with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, the discussion focused on upcoming investment priorities, fund mechanisms, and opportunities to accelerate Ukraine’s recovery through private capital.

Additionally, the “EU–Ukraine Digital & Dual-Use Cooperation” side event, organized by Kharkiv IT Cluster a day before the expo, helped Ukrainian dual-use companies connect directly with the European Commission and explore new collaboration formats. Participants discussed how the EU is opening up opportunities for such companies, which tools are available to both small startups and large manufacturers, and how the war is shaping Ukraine’s unique experience in innovation.