Ukraine’s Digital Revolution: From Warzone to Innovation Hub

In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High speaks with Valeriya Ionan, Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine on Innovation, Digitalization, and Global Partnerships. Previously Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Digital Transformation, Valeriya played a pivotal role in launching Ukraine’s groundbreaking Diia ecosystem and driving the nation’s goal of becoming the world’s most convenient digital state.

She shares how digital public services, AI-driven education, and defense-tech innovation are reshaping Ukraine’s future, even in the face of war. With partnerships spanning global governments and tech giants, Valeriya offers a masterclass in crisis-driven transformation, digital infrastructure, and building agile government at scale.

Key insights include:

The evolution of Diia: from IDPs to e-marriage to war bonds

Scaling drone production from 7 to 500+ in three years

Ukraine’s “Win-Win” Innovation Strategy and defense tech surge

The rise of the CDTO and building a digital-first public sector