KYIV AS A NEW IT HUB IN EUROPE
CAPITAL OF UKRAINE AS A MODERN CITY AND IT ENVIRONMENT
People who actively follow the IT industry have long known that Ukraine has made huge strides in the development of the IT industry in recent five to ten years. The number of Western IT companies has been constantly growing; Ukrainian programmers are among the most desired professionals for offshore hire. Let us take a closer look at the heart of Ukraine and discuss in detail the advantages of Kyiv, as a city and a business destination.
For obvious reasons in regard to being the capital of the state, Kyiv is ahead of all Ukrainian cities in terms of business development, and the number of companies opening here annually. All this makes Kyiv an indisputably favorable environment for business ambitions. The capital of Ukraine fascinates foreigners not only with its pure materialistic prospects, but also with its excellent urban infrastructure, which is not much different from other European megapolises: modern public transport, a developed metro infrastructure, a variety of shops, modern shopping centers, many attractions, and, in general, everything a person may need for a comfortable life.
Kyiv is one of the largest, most beautiful, and most rapidly developing cities not only in Ukraine but also in Europe. It has become obvious for entrepreneurs worldwide that this city is one of the reasonable options for starting a business or expanding the existing one by means of IT outstaffing. In this article, we will try to discuss enough reasons regarding the fact that in the nearest years to come Kyiv has all the means to become a new European IT capital and attract a growing share of international businesses to open their representative offices or hire IT developers from Ukraine.
DYNAMICS AND PROGRESS ABOVE ALL
It is a proven tendency over the past few years that the growing number of foreign companies make their business appear in the capital of Ukraine annually, which brings huge changes to the mentality, way of life, and daily routine of Ukrainians. In a wider sense, it has become easier for foreign companies and entrepreneurs to adapt their projects for being presented in Ukraine.
Kyiv has already become a business home for companies from Germany, England, France, the USA, and many others. It’s clear that when recognized companies have already managed to do business in Ukraine successfully, this gives business owners more confidence that their project can also find success here.
Compared to the previous 2002-2012 decade, toward 2022 Ukraine has reached a completely new level in the development of IT technologies. This is noticeable to the naked eye because many companies have reclassified to IT or invested time and money in this particular area. IT specialists predict even greater growth in the sphere in Ukraine and the possibility of working both in the office and remotely.
MULTILINGUAL CITY: KYIV IS A CITY OF POLYGLOTS
Considering the growing number of foreign students, Western entrepreneurs, and tens of thousands of tourists, Kyiv is becoming unprecedentedly English-friendly. Signposts, metro stations are being translated, the English voice acting in public transport is being added, and much more, which helps to navigate the city even if you are a guest and do not know the Ukrainian language. The same tendency may be experienced with establishments like restaurants, hairdressers, shopping centers, gyms, etc.
As in any developed country, the cult of learning foreign languages has been cultivated in Ukraine. In universities, schools, and sometimes even in kindergartens, the younger generation has the privilege and all means to learn English, and therefore getting acquainted with a foreign guest comes with no surprise. The better half of young Ukrainians know English at least at the A2 level, which makes a lot of sense with ordinary everyday communications. As for the employees of the IT sphere, it will be even easier to communicate with Ukrainian specialists as for the most part, they have basic English skills at a level of B2 and higher and will perfectly support any conversation with their potential employer from some Western-based company.
In the upcoming few years, Kyiv, like other cities in Ukraine, has all means to become more and more English-friendly and thus make Ukraine an excellent choice for starting a business, tourism, or even a permanent residency for foreigners.
BUSINESS PRICING IN KYIV
Oddly enough, compared to other world IT capitals, such as San Francisco, Singapour, and Berlin, Kyiv is a fairly inexpensive city. There are not such high taxes compared to the USA or Europe; the rental price and everyday expenses in the grocery store would also surprise a potential guest or a business owner with a pleasant price tag. A reasonable level of expenses is an important factor when choosing a place to open a business or expand the existing one.
The average salary in Ukraine is also more reasonable than in Europe, so the skills and experience of Ukrainian professionals have one of the best price-quality ratios in the world IT market. And if we dwell on the issue of taxation, then foreign businessmen will be pleasantly surprised by the state-regulated incentives for business in Ukraine.
The competition in the IT market here in 2022 is still lower than in the USA, Germany or Malaysia, and even more so in Silicon Valley, which plays into the hands of start-up entrepreneurs: it is more reasonable to launch an IT business in markets that have not yet been exhausted by global players, with moderate internal competition. In simple words, this is an opportunity to invest your start-up capital directly in your business, while not spending it on secondary expenses.
UKRAINE IS THE HEART OF EUROPE
Over the past decade, the exchange of business experience between Ukrainians and the country members of the European Union has intensified. This is due to a number of reasons, such as the relocation of thousands of IT specialists from Ukraine to the EU, as well as working remotely for foreigners while not leaving the country. What also really matters is the level of professionalism of the Ukrainian dedicated developers, which they perfectly show in their work.
The growing number of foreign guests note that when they relocate to Ukraine, they still feel like they are in Europe. This has been facilitated by the conscious decision of many Ukrainians to choose the vector of development toward integration into European society. Awareness, dynamics, and perspectives are what unite us. These qualities sound especially good when it comes to the IT business.
Just like Germans, Danish, or Brittains, Ukrainians set the highest priority on their work. It is a common practice among Ukrainian IT professionals to put this priority at the forefront of their lives and work selflessly for the sake of the company. According to recognized Western observers, it is by borrowing European ideology and adding their historically established qualities that Ukrainians are of the most competent professionals in the IT labor market. With such virtues as a proven level of education, diligence, communication skills, and a desire to develop - Ukrainians have all means to become leaders in the IT market in years to come.
WHY EDUCATION IS THE FOUNDATION STONE OF IT IN KYIV?
At the moment, Ukraine, like other countries, has been captured by the ‘IT fashion’ and this means that the younger generation gives priority to the sphere, thereby developing it in their homeland.
The education of IT specialists in Ukraine has a strong tendency for growth. In Kyiv, 30 universities and 13 academies annually graduate thousands of professionals in their field, potential candidates for such world giants as Google, Samsung, Intel, and many others. Also, due to the peculiarities of the education system, Ukrainian programmers are more erudite and experienced even compared to graduates of many European universities.
Drawing an analogy with Silicon Valley, many recognized Ukrainian universities, such as the KROK University of Economics and Law, KPI, and Kyiv International University, are all located in Kyiv. Therefore, the main forge of IT talents in Kyiv has been and continues to be universities, which provide the ground for start-up culture.
It is more than obvious that Kyiv has taken all the best qualities of the leading IT hubs while maintaining its culture and identity, which serves as an excellent basis for further development.
KYIV IS A SYMBOL OF THE FREE WORLD IN 2022
At the moment, Ukraine and its people are going through challenging times because of the Russian unprovoked invasion. Many cities were subjected to air attacks, and some such as Mariupol and Severodonetsk were severely devastated.
In late February 2022, invaders also did all they could to capture Kyiv, but after a month of unsuccessful attempts, the failed empire builders were expelled from the Kyiv region and from many regions and territories in the North. The city withstood the most severe attack and became one of the symbols of freedom and strength of the Ukrainian people and of the universally appraised will to be independent and free.
Now every week presidents and prime ministers of the leading countries come to Kyiv to meet with president Zelensky and set a plan for cooperation. Boris Johnson, Andrzej Duda, Olaf Scholz, Lloyd Austin, and many others have already visited Ukraine and made great economic, military, and social efforts to support the country. In many ways, such universal support and integrity attract huge interest in Ukraine as a country, as well as in Kyiv, as a heroic city that has a great future and great prospects for growth.
Many foreign companies took a risk and opened their new representative offices here in 2022 during the war to help Ukraine, as well as to show the fearlessness and leading qualities of their companies even in such non-standard working conditions. In this way, Western businesses show their flexibility and ability to adapt to difficult areas of work and in the same way take their projects to a new level here in Kyiv.
Due to Ukraine obtaining the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union, close ties between European countries and many joint projects are predicted. Both parties hope for a long and fruitful cooperation, which, according to experts, will be beneficial for foreign businesses in Ukraine.
CONCLUSION
For obvious reasons, Kyiv is currently not the number one choice to open a business due to the war, but it is an excellent business destination for both new companies and experienced business sharks in the near future. Because of its history, scope, and the people living in it, the capital becomes a real pearl for entrepreneurs looking to expand their own businesses.
Based on the attention riveted to this city recently, it risks becoming the most talked about city in the world, which will serve as an excellent advertisement for companies that decide to open their branches in it. It is obvious that after the Ukrainian triumph in this war, Kyiv will become the real hub for projects and gatherings of influential people. The leaders of the countries and the titan businessmen of the whole world are already coming to Kyiv. What can we say about the post-war stage, when the capital and the whole country will reach an absolutely new level.
Perhaps, it has already become promising for foreigners to create a business in Ukraine, but most experts predict a real wave of start-up business in the post-war stage.
We really hope that the article helped you learn something new and describe, in particular, Kyiv as the future IT capital and an excellent platform for starting your own business.
If you have any questions and have an idea about hiring a team of professional developers in Ukraine, we would be glad to fuel your business idea with our services: contact.us@gointeractive.co
