Ukraine should create its own Silicon Valley —TechnoSport Federation president

Ukraine, which is experiencing rapid technological development and ranks first in Europe for FPV drone production, would benefit from establishing its own Silicon Valley.

This was stated by Artur Bulyhin, President of the Federation of Technological Sports of Ukraine, in a comment to Ukrinform.

“We shouldn’t prepare children solely for war — we must focus on developing their technological skills. That’s the core mission of our federation,” Bulyhin said. “Ukraine has every opportunity to transform from a raw-material economy into a tech-driven one. A technological ecosystem is already taking shape in Ukraine.”

According to him, the war has accelerated technological progress, and Ukraine is now number one in Europe in the production of FPV drones.

“Ukrainian manufacturers have a unique ability to rapidly adapt frontline solutions into production… Our main resource is brainpower, innovative thinking, and the skills of Ukrainians—our unique experience. These are the foundations on which we can build our own Silicon Valley. We need to start thinking about its creation now,” Bulyhin emphasized.

He believes that creating the right conditions for the development of forward-thinking youth and the implementation of innovative ideas—similar to the American Silicon Valley—will also encourage young people to return from abroad. He further predicts that lifting the ban on the export of domestically produced military and dual-use technologies will accelerate the sector’s growth even more.

In 2023, technological sport was officially recognized as a sport in Ukraine. Competitions are currently held in three categories: ground-based robotic systems, FPV drones, and cybersecurity. A fourth category—water-based disciplines—is planned.

The federation is currently organizing national championships and cups involving youth, military personnel, and manufacturers. It also plans to host international competitions and establish extracurricular institutions for children and teenagers. The federation has branches in more than 18 regions of Ukraine.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Ukrainian Federation of Technological Sports participated in TEKNOFEST in Istanbul—the world’s largest technology festival.