Articles

The innovation ecosystem as a tool for supporting Ukraine’s strategic industries

• 
• 

User Rating:  / 0

PoorBest 

Details

Category: Content №4 2026

Last Updated on 24 August 2026

Published on 30 November -0001

Hits: 804

Authors:

V. Hmyria*, orcid.org/0000-0003-3070-0158, State Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment Testing and Certification, Cherkasy, Ukraine, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

N. Kuznetsova, orcid.org/0000-0002-3121-6221, Cherkasy State Technological University, Cherkasy, Ukraine, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

O. Tkachenko, orcid.org/0000-0003-2923-7186, Kyiv National Economics University named after Vadym Hetman, Kyiv, Ukraine, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

D. Zahrebelnyi, orcid.org/0009-0009-4482-4806, LLC “Philip Morris Sales and Distribution”, Lausanne, Switzerland

O. Kostiuk, orcid.org/0009-0009-0997-3590, National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

* Corresponding author e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

повний текст / full article

Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu. 2026, (4): 183 - 192

https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2026-4/183

Abstract:

Purpose. To develop a model for the comprehensive assessment of the level of development of Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem as a strategic tool for supporting key industrial sectors under martial law from 2024 to 2026, and to identify the structural patterns of its functioning.

Methodology. The comparative analysis method was applied to compare the development indicators of five strategic sectors: defence technologies, artificial intelligence, fintech, green technologies and digital infrastructure. Structural-functional analysis was used to examine the institutional architecture of the ecosystem, including regional hubs, funding mechanisms and digital platforms. The weighted sub-index aggregation method was applied to construct the Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Development Index (IIEDI). The indicators were normalised using the min-max method within a range from the minimum acceptable level to the target benchmark value.

Findings. It has been established that Ukraine’s IIEI value in 2025 is 0.434, which corresponds to an average level of ecosystem development given the existing foundational elements and structural constraints. The regional structure of innovation hubs has been characterised, and the role of the Diia.Engine digital platform, international grant funding mechanisms and makerspaces in ensuring innovation resilience in conflict conditions has been revealed. Systemic barriers have been identified: dependence on foreign aid, gaps in the digitalisation of small and medium sized enterprises and limitations on international integration.

Originality. An original IIEDI model has been developed based on five weighted sub-indices of strategic sectors, using min-max normalisation and expert determination of weighting coefficients. A four-level scale for interpreting the IIEDI is proposed, which allows for the identification of the most lagging components of the ecosystem and the monitoring of its development progress.

Practical value. The results can be used by government bodies and international partners to determine priorities for supporting strategic sectors within the framework of the WINWIN strategy aimed at Ukraine achieving the status of a regional innovation hub by 2030. The proposed model provides a framework for the comparative assessment of progress and the targeted allocation of resources in the process of post-conflict economic transformation.

Keywords: ecosystem, technologies, transformation, development, industry, resilience, European integration

References.

1. Zayed, N. M., Edeh, F. O., Islam, K. M. A., Nitsenko, V., Polova, O., & Khaietska, O. (2022). Utilization of Knowledge Management as Business Resilience Strategy for Microentrepreneurs in Post-COVID-19 Economy. Sustainability, 14, 15789. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315789

2. Hmyria, V., Nikitchenko, V., Shynkarenko, O., Aleskerova, Y., & Kostyuk, O. (2024). Development of the defence industry of Ukraine to ensure national security. Financial and Credit Activity Problems of Theory and Practice, 3(56), 321-333. https://doi.org/10.55643/fcaptp.3.56.2024.4366

3. Kyzymenko, K., & Kravchenko, M. (2021). Development of the model of innovation ecosystem for defense enterprises of Ukraine. Economic Bulletin of NTUU “Kyiv Polytechnical Institute”, 19, 212-216. https://doi.org/10.20535/2307-5651.19.2021.252610

4. Kaleniuk, I., & Kuznetsova, N. (2022). Creative Economy in the Global Innovation Process. The International Economic Policy, 1(36), 101-123. https://doi.org/10.33111/iep.2022.36.05

5. Kraus, N., Kraus, K., & Manzhura, O. (2020). Ecosystem of gig-economics and entrepreneurial university: evolutionary synergy of “virus innovation” and “digital jump”. Efektyvna ekonomika, 2. https://doi.org/10.32702/2307-2105-2020.2.3

6. Perminova, S., & Chuprina, M. (2022). Development of the national innovative ecosystem in the context of interaction of subjects of science and business. Economy and Society, 38. https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2022-38-29

7. Kalina, I., Novykov, D., Leszczynski, V., Lavrukhina, K., Kukhta, P., & Nitsenko, V. (2022). Entrepreneurial structures of the extractive industry: foreign experience in environmental protection. Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu, (5), 136-141. https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2022-5/136

8. Cherep, O., Cherep, A., Ohrenych, Y., Helman, V., & Gorbunova, A. (2024). Improvement of the management mechanism of the strategy of innovative activities of enterprises. Financial and Credit Activity Problems of Theory and Practice, 1(54), 471-484. https://doi.org/10.55643/fcaptp.1.54.2024.4295

9. Trivedi, J., Devi, M. S., Vithalani, C., Parmar, K., & Dave, D. (2025). Industrial intelligence for smart cities: the role of AI and IoT in transforming urban mobility and infrastructure. Scientific Journal of Silesian University of Technology. Series Transport, 129, 261-281. https://doi.org/10.20858/sjsutst.2025.129.15

10.      Verkush, D. (2025). Intellectual-strategic management of innovativeness of business entities: theoretical basis. Development Service Industry Management, 1, 217-226. https://doi.org/10.31891/dsim-2025-9(30)

11.      Guliyev, M., Hajiyeva, L., Muradova, H., & Huseynova, L. (2025). Impact of government open data initiatives on innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. Intellectual Economics, 19(1), 32-61. https://doi.org/10.13165/IE-25-19-1-02

12.      Stasiuk, V., & Artemenko, L. (2025). Implementation an environmental strategy as a tool for enhancing enterprise competitiveness under the European green deal. Sustainable Development of Economy, 6(57), 400-406. https://doi.org/10.32782/2308-1988/2025-57-53

13.      Mia, M. M., Rizwan, S., Zayed, N. M., Nitsenko, V., Miroshnyk, O., Kryshtal, H., & Ostapenko, R. (2022). The Impact of Green Entrepreneurship on Social Change and Factors Influencing AMO Theory. Systems, 10(5), 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10050132

14.      Bhuiyan, K. H., Jahan, I., Zayed, N. M., Islam, K. M. A., ­Suyaiya, S., Tkachenko, O., & Nitsenko, V. (2022). Smart Tourism Ecosystem: A New Dimension toward Sustainable Value Co-Creation. Sustainability, 14, 15043. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215043

15.      Li, M., & Liu, Y. (2024). The influence of digital innovation ecosystem of high-end equipment manufacturing on the intelligent maturity of enterprise – an empirical study on the configuration of the “three-layer core-periphery” structure. Business Process Management Journal, 30(1), 199-221. https://doi.org/10.1108/BPMJ-01-2023-0005

16.      Kupyra, M. (2025). The concept of an ecosystem for stimulating the development of entrepreneurial structures: a polystructural mindset. Economy and Society, 81. https://doi.org/10.32782/2524-0072/2025-81-118

17.      Nahara, M. (2025). Ecosystem and the circular economy: immanent interdependence. Investytsiyi: praktyka ta dosvid, 22, 37-43. https://doi.org/10.32702/2306-6814.2021.22.37

18.      Salman, S. A., Poddar, S., & Nitsenko, V. (Edit.) (2023). Recent Trends in Business and Entrepreneurial Ventures. USA, Nova Science Publishers. https://doi.org/10.52305/KZZV1105

19.      Kyrilenko, M., Kubatko, O., Treus, A., Stepanenko, E., & Mishchenko, Y. (2023). Formation of tools for assessing the impact of ecosystem changes on the state of economic systems. Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University, 3(95), 59-66. https://doi.org/10.32782/bsnau.2023.3.10

20.      Kushnikov, V. (2024). Ukraine hosts hackathon dedicated to long-range strikes and remote mining: Results of Brave1 activities. Militarnyi. https://militarnyi.com/en/news/ukraine-hosts-hackathon-dedicated-to-long-range-strikes-and-remote-mining/

21.      StartupBlink (2025). Ukraine startup ecosystem: Rankings, startups, and insights. https://www.startupblink.com/startup-ecosystem/ukraine

22.      Agiliway (2025). Ukraine’s leading tech hubs in 2026: Inside Ukraine’s thriving tech ecosystem. https://www.agiliway.com/ukraines-leading-tech-hubs-in-2026-inside-ukraines-thriving-tech-ecosystem-in-2026/

23.      Ukrainian Startup Fund (2024). Seeds of Bravery – project launch: Strategic boost from the European Innovation Council for Ukraine’s tech ecosystem. https://usf.com.ua/en/seeds-of-bravery-project-launch/

24.      Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine (2025). Diia.Engine recognized by the EU as a leading GovTech innovation. Digital State. https://digitalstate.gov.ua/uk/news/govtech/diiaengine-otrymala-vyznannia-yevrosoiuzu

25.      Digital State UA (2025). Ukraine’s Startup Ecosystem Spotlighted by Tech.eu: 10 Companies to Watch in 2025. https://digitalstate.gov.ua/uk/news/tech/techeu-pro-ukrayinu-10-tekhnolohichnykh-kompaniy-iaki-formuiut-innovatsiyne-maybutnye

26.      Digital State UA (2025). Ukraine’s IT Shift: From Outsourcing to Innovation. https://digitalstate.gov.ua/news/it-outsourcing/ukraines-it-shift-from-outsourcing-to-innovation

27.      Patterson, O. (2026). Ukraine war defense industry statistics: ZipDo education reports 2026. ZipDo. https://zipdo.co/ukraine-war-defense-industry-statistics/

28.      StartupBlink (2025). Ukraine startup ecosystem: Rankings, startups, and insights. StartupBlink. https://www.startupblink.com/startup-ecosystem/ukraine

29.      Digital State UA (2025, April 10). Ukraine’s IT Powerhouse 2024: From Resilience to Global Reach. https://digitalstate.gov.ua/uk/news/it-outsourcing/ukraines-it-powerhouse-2024-from-resilience-to-global-reach

30.      Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (2026). Digital innovation for a new Ukraine: Good governance by GovTech and transparency in Ukraine. https://www.giz.de/sites/default/files/media/pkb-document/2026-03/giz2026-en-govtech-factsheet.pdf

31.      Dnipropetrovsk Regional Investment Agency (2026). Ukraine Investment Framework approves new €1.5 billion package focused on dual-use technologies and strategic industries. DIA Dnipropetrovsk Regional Investment Agency. https://dia.dp.gov.ua/en/ukraine-investment-framework-approves-new-e1-5-billion-package-focused-on-dual-use-technologies/

32.      Lukashenko, M. (2025). Ukraine’s defence industry reborn: Becoming Europe’s centre for defence innovation. Aequo. https://aequo.ua/en/analytics/narodzhennya-novogo-opk-yak-ukrayina-staye-centrom-oboronnih-innovacij-yevropi

33.      Lviv IT Cluster (2025, December 11). Ukrainian tech industry in the fourth year of the war: Stabilization, new strategies, and a shift in market architecture – Results of IT Research Ukraine 2025. From adaptation to transformation. Lviv IT Cluster. https://itcluster.lviv.ua/en/ukrainian-tech-industry-in-the-fourth-year-of-the-war-stabilization-new-strategies-and-a-shift-in-market-architecture-results-of-it-research-ukraine-2025-from-adaptation-to-transformatio/

• < Prev
• Next >