The IT Arena Startup Competition 2025 investment fund has already hit $12.5 million — a record-breaking milestone for the competition, with more funding still coming in. Representatives of the Startup Competition confirmed the news to Scroll.media.

• This year’s roster of investors includes a strong mix of well-known VC firms, investment companies, and angel networks. Among them: 1991 VC, United Angels Network, Vesna Capital, Presto Tech Horizons, Tilia Impact Ventures, Depo Ventures, Radix VC, PurposeTech VC, Rockaway Ventures, Double Tap Investments, MITS Capital, Green Flag Ventures, NextFrontier Fund, and Wolver Ventures.
• A significant boost came from Presto Tech Horizons, which contributed $5 million. The firm focuses on deep tech, defense, and resilience technologies across NATO and allied countries, backing companies developing next-generation solutions such as AI-powered battlefield navigation systems, acoustic detection technologies, and advanced cybersecurity tools.
• Meanwhile, the competition’s grant prize pool stands at $60,000. Half of that comes from the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF), with the other half matched by the Brave1 defense cluster.
• The funds will be distributed among the top winners across two categories: general startups and defense-focused projects in cyber defense and defense tech.

About the Startup Competition

• The IT Arena Startup Competition is Ukraine’s largest and most prestigious startup contest, held annually as part of the IT Arena tech conference. Each year, winners secure cash prizes and gain exposure to global investors.
• The competition traditionally takes place on the second day of IT Arena with finalists pitching live on the main stage.
• This year, organizers received 202 applications, the most in the competition’s history. Of those, 12 came from international teams, while a record 52 submissions were from defense tech developers. Participants span various sectors, including healthtech, edtech, foodtech, AI-driven solutions, defense, and cybersecurity.

Why It Matters

• Competing at IT Arena opens doors to global opportunities, offering startups visibility with leading VCs, angel investors, and entrepreneurs from around the world.
• One example: after presenting at the IT Arena Startup Competition 2024, Ukrainian river drone manufacturer Hard Cat Drones went on to secure strategic investment from the Finnish-Ukrainian firm Double Tap Investments.