IT Cluster is an association of companies, organizations, educational institutions, and other participants working in the information technology (IT) sector. These entities collaborate to advance the industry, enhance competitiveness, foster innovation, and facilitate knowledge exchange.
Lviv IT Cluster is the largest business association of technology companies in Ukraine, bringing together over 300 companies and more than 100,000 professionals. Its goal is to transform Lviv and Ukraine into a global innovation hub through the development of education, infrastructure, business support, and collaboration with the government.
Most of the companies in the Lviv IT Cluster have offices or branches in Lviv. This association is focused on the development of the IT industry specifically in this city, making the geographic presence in Lviv a key criterion for membership.
Members of the Lviv IT Cluster:
- SoftServe — One of the largest Ukrainian IT companies, founded in Lviv
- ELEKS — A Ukrainian software development company, also founded in Lviv
- N-iX — A global IT company with an office in Lviv
- EPAM Systems — An international software development company with an office in Lviv
- GlobalLogic — A global digital product development company, present in Lviv.
- Inoxoft — An international software development company, founded in Lviv.
- Sombra Inc. — An international software development and IT consulting company, headquartered in Lviv
- Intetics — A global technology company with an office in Lviv.
- Sii Ukraine — The Ukrainian branch of an international IT company, with an office in Lviv
- Rakuten Viber — An international messaging service company, with an office in Lviv
Key Activities of the Lviv IT Cluster
Education Development
The Cluster supports 19 bachelor's programs in four Lviv universities, including Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), and Lviv Academy of Arts. These programs cover fields such as the Internet of Things, robotics, cybersecurity, graphic design, Business Analytics & Data Science, IT product management, and others. The curricula are regularly updated with the involvement of IT companies, ensuring the relevance of knowledge and skills for students. The Lviv IT Cluster, together with the Lviv City Council and the USAID "Competitive Economy of Ukraine" program, signed a memorandum to create a Research Center with laboratories for training and practical experience for students of engineering specialties at higher education institutions in the city.
Events and Initiatives
- IT Arena: An annual international conference that gathers over 5,000 participants from more than 40 countries, including developers, managers, investors, and journalists.
- IT Future Fest: The largest career development event in IT for youth, to be held in 2025.
Startup Support
The annual competition held as part of the IT Arena conference is one of the largest platforms for startups in Ukraine. Participants have the opportunity to present their ideas to investors, mentors, and IT industry representatives. In collaboration with universities such as Lviv Polytechnic National University, the Cluster organizes startup schools for students.
The Cluster initiated the LEAP EDIH project under the Digital Europe program. The goal is to support the digital transformation of small and medium-sized businesses, strengthen cybersecurity, promote innovation, and enhance the competitiveness of Ukrainian companies.
Lviv IT Cluster: Benefiting Lviv
The Lviv IT Cluster is a strategic driver of the city's development:
- Increases the region's GDP through the growth of IT companies and the creation of high-tech jobs.
- Attracts investment and stimulates the development of related industries (real estate, education, HoReCa, etc.).
- Modernizes technical education through partnership programs with universities.
Prepares new talent through initiatives for schoolchildren, students, and adult retraining programs.
Makes Lviv a center for IT innovation in Ukraine and abroad through conferences (such as IT Arena) and international connections.
Supports the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU) with equipment and projects.
Implements social initiatives (safety, infrastructure, charity).
The IT Cluster is not just a union of companies, but an ecosystem for the city's development, bringing together business, education, government, and the community to ensure an innovative future for Lviv.
