Overview:
Step into the future of high-technology industries. In an era demanding innovation and resilience, Ukraine has rapidly emerged as a dynamic hub for cutting-edge DefenseTech, Aerospace, and Robotics solutions. Concurrently, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany’s economic powerhouse, stands as a leading center for advanced manufacturing, technology, and defense industries, representing a key economic partner for Ukraine.
This exclusive online webinar, hosted by NRW.Global Business and TechUkraine, serves as a pivotal platform to bridge these two vibrant ecosystems. Discover the latest technological advancements, explore concrete collaboration pathways, and understand how companies from NRW and Ukraine can forge powerful synergies to drive mutual growth and innovation in these critical sectors.
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, May 15, 2025
- Time: 10:00 AM – 13:30 PM (CET) | 11:00 AM – 14:30 PM (Kyiv Time)
- Format: Online Webinar
- Access: A unique access link will be provided to registered participants prior to the event.
- Language: English
- Cost: Free
Why Attend? Unlock Strategic Advantages:
This webinar is your gateway to understanding and engaging with the evolving landscape of DefenseTech, Aerospace, and Robotics in NRW and Ukraine. You will:
✅ Gain Strategic Insights: Receive first-hand information on the latest trends, breakthroughs, and innovations shaping these sectors in both regions.
✅ Discover Collaboration Pathways: Identify tangible investment opportunities, potential partnerships, and joint R&D initiatives between NRW and Ukrainian companies.
✅ Understand the Ecosystems: Get a comprehensive overview of the support structures, key players, and market dynamics within NRW and Ukraine’s tech and defense industries.
✅ Connect with Key Players: Network virtually with industry leaders, technology pioneers, potential partners, and institutional representatives from both Germany and Ukraine.
Target Audience
This event is designed for:
- CEOs, CTOs, and VPs of Strategy/Business Development in the DefenseTech, Aerospace, Robotics, and related high-tech industries.
- Investors and Venture Capitalists seeking opportunities in emerging European tech hubs.
- R&D Directors and Innovation Managers.
- Government Representatives and Policymakers involved in economic development and international cooperation.
- Industry Cluster Managers and Association Representatives.
- Companies seeking to expand their international footprint or supply chains in Germany or Ukraine.
Agenda Highlights
- Welcome & Opening Remarks from NRW and Ukraine representatives
- Keynotes on the State of DefenseTech & Aerospace Innovation in NRW Region from:
- Stefan Kägebein, Director Eastern and South Eastern Europe, Southern Caucasus, DIHK,
- Dr.-Ing. Harald Cremer, CEO, NMWP.NRW Cluster
- Dirk Kalinowski, Deputy Network Manager, AeroSpace.NRW
- Spotlight on Ukraine in Defence Tech, Robotics and Airspace:
- Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defence of Ukraine
- Ihor Fedirko, CEO UCDI (Ukrainian Council of Defense Industry)
- Kseniia Semenova, Acting President, Kyiv Aviation Institute
- Alexandre Yurchak, CEO, Association of Industrial Automation of Ukraine (APPAU)
- Olena Shypunova – Head of International Partnerships, Brave 1 Cluster
- Artem Moroz – Head of Investment, Brave 1 Cluster
- Nataly Veremeeva, Director, TechUkraine
- Exclusive: Funding opportunities for Defence Tech, Robotics and Airspace projects
- Dr. Lino Schneider-Bertenburg, Deputy Head of German Contact Point for the European Defence Fund, Association of German Engineers (VDI)
- Series of case studies: Synergies & Opportunities for Joint Ventures
- Rafael Lendzion, Team Leader, Business Service Digital Economy International Matters, Wirtschaftsförderung Mönchengladbach GmbH
- Julian Stolzenbach, Director International Business Development & Sales, Demension Air, Rheinmetall
- Dr. Lars Schnetter, CEO & Managing Director, Schunk Ingenieurskeramik GmbH
- Dr. Robert Brüll, Co-founder, Fibrecoat
- Valerii Iakovenko, CEO and Founder, DroneUA, Co-Founder, FarmFleet, Robotics Distribution, Founder and Managing partner Futurology
- Anton Skrypnyk, CEO Roboneers, Co-Founder Kindgeek
- Misha Rudominski, CEO and Co-Founder, Promin Airspace, Co-Founder, HIMERA
- Pavlo Pikulin, CEO and Co-Founder, Deus Robotics
- Networking Session / Q&A
Organizers
NRW.Global Business is the trade and investment agency of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the partner for all companies when it comes to investment projects and settling in NRW.
TechUkraine is a non-profit organization and a leading nationwide platform dedicated to strengthening Ukraine’s technology sector. It brings together key stakeholders from across the country and supports their integration into the global ecosystem through international cooperation and partnerships.
NMWP.NRW is North Rhine-Westphalia’s technology cluster that connects companies, research institutions, and state bodies in key technologies and serves as the central point of contact for high-tech innovations from NRW for the security and defense industry.
Aerospace.NRW is the aerospace cluster of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which networks companies, research organisations and institutions in the aerospace industry.
Info Partners:
Brave1 Cluster is a Ukrainian defense technology platform launched to accelerate innovation in the defense sector, particularly in response to wartime challenges. Backed by the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Defense, and other state institutions, Brave1 unites startups, engineers, and researchers to develop and scale cutting-edge military technologies — from UAVs to cybersecurity tools. With over 1,500 participants, it serves as a key ecosystem for dual-use innovation and international cooperation.
The Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry
is a consolidated voice of the Ukrainian defence industry, uniting associations and unions of manufacturers of weapons and military equipment, creating a single platform for cooperation with the state, the army and international partners
The State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute”
is one of the most powerful aviation-related higher educational facilities in the world, with about 25,000 students enrolled, including nearly 1,500 foreigners from 55 countries. The State University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” is an institution of higher education that has been uniting people for more than a hundred years, teaching them to create innovations, and developing the Ukrainian economy, aviation industry, and technologies.
SID City Scientific Park is a hub for innovation, focusing on the transfer and commercialization of research results. The park’s structure includes key components such as the Tech StartUp School, various R&D labs, and initiatives like the StartEra crowdfunding platform. It operates in collaboration with Lviv Polytechnic National University and focuses on areas like Robotics, AI, and Biotechnology.
UNIT.City is Ukraine’s first innovation park with the mission to create a unique platform for IT companies throughout the world, where advanced companies, start-ups and mavens get an opportunity to cross paths and work together ramping up their growth and honing the quality of their products and services.
Kyiv IT Cluster connects companies, startups, IT professionals, and institutions to develop the IT industry and create Eastern Europe’s leading technology ecosystem.
Kharkiv IT Cluster
is a non-profit organisation that has been uniting Ukrainian IT companies since 2015, universities and the government to overcome common challenges and develop the technological business ecosystem.
The Ukrainian Cluster Alliance (UCA) is the national association of 42 Ukrainian clusters (2500+ SMEs) covering major industries and regions of Ukraine. The mission of UCA is to consolidate and develop the clusters movement in Ukraine, enabling the strengthening of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and their fast integration of European and global value chains.
Since 2014, UVCA has promoted investment opportunities, advocated the interests of private equity and venture investors to policymakers, and improved the local investment and business climate in Ukraine. Main initiatives include the Ukrainian Fund of Funds, Ukrainian Pavilion at CES in Las Vegas and others.
Register Now to Secure Your Virtual Seat
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to establish valuable connections and explore the forefront of innovation bridging Ukraine and North Rhine-Westphalia. Participation is complimentary, but registration is required.
Registration Deadline: May 9th, 2025
Contact Us:
Should you have any questions regarding the event, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Dr. Nataliia Velychko
Project Manager Ukraine, NRW.Global Business GmbH
+49 211 13000-193
velychko@nrwglobalbusiness.com
We look forward to welcoming you online!
NRW.Global Business & TechUkraine