Organized by EU4Innovation East, this exclusive networking and investment-focused independent side event during VivaTech 2025 served as a strategic platform for Ukrainian innovators to engage with leading French and EU investors. Designed to deepen integration into European innovation ecosystems, the initiative underscored Ukraine’s expanding role in the global tech landscape.
A High-Level Launch
The event opened with inspiring remarks from prominent figures:
- Pierre Heilbronn, French Special Envoy for Ukraine’s Relief and Reconstruction
- Cassilde Brenière, Deputy CEO of Expertise France
- Alex Bornyakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine
Spotlight on Innovation: Startup Pitches
A key highlight was the startup pitching session, moderated by Anne Lebreton-Wolf, Founder of ALW Finance & Innovation. Five standout Ukrainian startups—Apixmed, Eyre: European Secure AI Meeting Platform, Metatable.ai, S.Lab, and VITA325—presented their innovations to a jury of distinguished private investors from France and Ukraine.
The €3,000 prize for best pitch was awarded to S.Lab, in recognition of its bold vision and strong market potential. S.Lab produces green packaging combining only two plant-based components, agricultural waste and the binding power of mycelium, thus supporting businesses in both growth and sustainability. S.Lab has developed its proprietary production technology designed explicitly for plant-based packaging, making it possible to adjust production capacity to meet growing demand.
Strength in Resilience: Panel Discussion on Ukraine’s Startup Landscape
The event also featured an insightful panel moderated by Dominique Piotet, President of La French Tech Kyiv. The discussion spotlighted the resilience and creativity of Ukraine’s startup scene with contributions from:
- Alex Bornyakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine
- Yana Hulak, Project Lead, Ukrainian Startup Fund
- Maryna Korshevniuk, CEO of Apixmed
- Julia Bialetska, Co-founder and CEO of S.Lab
Their exchanges painted a vivid picture of Ukraine’s thriving entrepreneurial sector and its growing appeal to global investors.
By fostering meaningful dialogue and direct engagement, Innovate Ukraine served as a gateway for Ukrainian founders to accelerate access to French and European capital, strengthen partnerships, and scale globally.
This landmark event was organized by EU4Innovation East in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Embassy of Ukraine in France, Ukrainian Startup Fund, IT Ukraine Association, La French Tech Kyiv, and CCI France Ukraine.
