DroneUA at Annual Ukraine's Innovation Days 2.0 in Washington, D.C.

Innovation has become the foundation of global leadership and the driving force behind the evolution of entire industries — from energy and urban infrastructure to security, transportation, and agriculture. It’s a cornerstone of the new economy, defining a nation’s competitiveness and resilience. For Ukraine, innovation is more than just a response to challenges — it’s an opportunity to shape global rules and assert itself on the international stage.

On April 24, DroneUA took part in Annual Ukraine's Innovation Days 2.0, held at Ukraine House in Washington, D.C. This two-day event provided a powerful platform to reimagine the role of innovation, strengthen international partnerships, and showcase Ukraine’s technological capabilities on the world stage.

The event brought together over 300 high-level representatives from government, business, academia, diplomacy, and the Ukrainian diaspora, all united by a shared vision for the future — one built through technology, science, global collaboration, and new partnerships. Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States, emphasized that innovation lies at the heart of Ukraine’s identity, and that turning adversity into global solutions is the path forward: “Growth and prosperity are only possible through innovation.”

Among the speakers who opened the Annual Ukraine's Innovation Days 2.0 and took part in the strategic dialogue were: Denys Shmyhal (Prime Minister of Ukraine), Andriy Pyshnyy (Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine), Sergii Marchenko (Minister of Finance of Ukraine), Pierre Heilbronn (Special Envoy of the President of France for Aid and Reconstruction of Ukraine), Davide La Cecilia (Special Envoy of the Italian Government for the Reconstruction of Ukraine), Bob Saum (World Bank Regional Director for Eastern Europe), and Vladyslav Rashkovan (Alternate Executive Director for Ukraine at the IMF). Their presence sent a strong signal of readiness for strategic cooperation and global partnerships between Europe, the United States, and Ukraine.

Valerii Iakovenko, Co-founder and Managing Partner of DroneUA, together with Oleksandra Afanasieva, Strategic Communications Advisor of DroneUA and CEO & Co-founder of Beetless, represented the company in key panels and discussion sessions. The company's presence underscored not only the importance of the technological agenda but also its commitment to positioning Ukrainian innovation as a vital part of global progress.

“DroneUA is building strong technological bridges between Ukraine and the U.S., and we clearly see the mutual potential in this cooperation. The world is open to Ukrainian solutions — and we are ready to scale them,” — said Valerii Iakovenko.

DroneUA is actively developing partnerships with leading U.S. innovation agencies and institutions, deepening bilateral collaboration in technology. Ukrainian-American cooperation in innovation is not just promising — it's strategic. It facilitates mutual learning and a shared vision for the future. DroneUA not only demonstrates that Ukrainian businesses can compete globally, but also plays a key role in integrating them into international alliances.

The forum hosted several high-impact panel discussions that laid out a strategic roadmap for Ukraine’s recovery and development. The panel “Investing in Recovery and Reconstruction” featured speakers including Andriy Pyshnyy, Sergii Marchenko, Pierre Heilbronn, Davide La Cecilia, Bob Saum, and Vladyslav Rashkovan. Discussions focused on security, logistics infrastructure, rebuilding export capacity, energy, automation, and strengthening institutional capabilities.

The panel “Technological Innovations for Security”, featuring Mykhailo Fedorov (Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for Innovation, Education, Science, and Technology), along with representatives from Raytheon, the Defense Innovation Unit, Atlantic Council, and others, spotlighted dual-use technologies, the efficiency of innovation in security, and new models of government–private sector collaboration.

The event also featured two major exhibitions: “Alley of Innovations” and “Freedom in the Equation.”

“Alley of Innovations” highlighted 50 Ukrainian inventions that have impacted global science and industry. Ukrainian innovators have long stood at the forefront of global progress — contributing to fields from aerospace engineering to medicine, supercapacitors to advanced filmmaking technology. On both sides of the Atlantic, Ukrainian scientific and technological achievements have helped shape the modern world.

“Freedom in the Equation” showcased remarkable Ukrainian scientists who embodied the qualities of future Nobel laureates — talent, brilliance, and unwavering dedication. Though their potential went unrealized, their legacy continues to inspire new generations to pursue breakthroughs their predecessors began.

BEETLESS and DroneUA extend heartfelt thanks to the organizers of Annual Ukraine’s Innovation Days 2.0 — the team at Ukraine House, the invited guests, and all partners — for creating a space where the voice of a new Ukraine is heard: technological, forward-looking, and integrated into the global innovation ecosystem.