Nick Popov Shares Insights from URC2025 Side Events

13/ 07/ 2025

The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC2025) has become a key focal point for political and business leaders from around the world. However, according to Nick Popov, founder of SoftTeam, the most critical decisions are often made not on the main stage, but behind the scenes — in side events and closed-door meetings held before the official program even begins. “Side events are not just supplementary activities — they are where true intentions are revealed, investment readiness is tested, and the tone for the entire conference is set,” Popov noted. The West is Ready to Invest — But Waiting for Clarity Popov emphasizes that Western partners remain highly interested in cooperating with Ukraine, especially in areas like technology, services, and defense. However, major investment decisions are currently on hold until the security situation improves. “No one is withdrawing support. On the contrary — the funds are there. But the timeline has shifted. We haven’t lost anything — we’ve gained a window of opportunity. And we must use it wisely,” the entrepreneur explained. Global Standards Are Key to Investment Conversion One of the biggest challenges, according to international donors, is the low level of project readiness on the Ukrainian side. By expert estimates, up to 90% of projects fail to pass initial screenings simply because they lack basic internationally accepted documentation — such as financial models, risk assessments, scaling plans, or transparent governance structures. “If a project doesn’t come with an investment memorandum or budget formatted in a way that investors are used to, it won’t even be reviewed. We must learn to operate by international rules,” Popov emphasized. Scale and Ownership Matter Popov also stresses the need for a more ambitious, large-scale mindset. While local initiatives are valuable, they often fall short of attracting global institutional investors. “Investors are not looking for $200,000 projects. They’re looking for large-scale initiatives — projects worth hundreds of millions, with clear global market potential,” he explained. Another crucial issue is the tendency to shift responsibility outward “Why do we expect the West to solve our internal problems — corruption, legal bottlenecks, bureaucracy? This surprises our partners. They expect leadership from us,” Popov added. Strong Support in Tech, Services, and Defense Western institutions are ready to invest in tech startups, service-based platforms, education products, and especially the defense sector. According to Popov, defense may become a new engine of international collaboration. “Europe is already launching joint defense production with Ukraine — across multiple countries at once. This minimizes risk and opens real opportunities for long-term cooperation. This isn’t just aid — it’s strategic partnership,” he noted. The Core Message: Its Time to Act Popov underlines that the West is not tired of Ukraine — they’re tired of talk without follow-through. International partners are still open and supportive, but they now expect real, measurable action, not just declarations of intent. 📌 More insights, behind-the-scenes stories, photos, and videos from URC2025 — available on Nick Popov’s official social media pages: Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nick.popov_) / Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykyta-popov02/) / Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mykytapopovkyiv/)

The Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025 (URC2025) has become a key focal point for political and business leaders from around the world. However, according to Nick Popov, founder of SoftTeam, the most critical decisions are often made not on the main stage, but behind the scenes — in side events and closed-door meetings held before the official program even begins.

“Side events are not just supplementary activities — they are where true intentions are revealed, investment readiness is tested, and the tone for the entire conference is set,” Popov noted.

The West is Ready to Invest — But Waiting for Clarity

Popov emphasizes that Western partners remain highly interested in cooperating with Ukraine, especially in areas like technology, services, and defense. However, major investment decisions are currently on hold until the security situation improves.

“No one is withdrawing support. On the contrary — the funds are there. But the timeline has shifted. We haven’t lost anything — we’ve gained a window of opportunity. And we must use it wisely,” the entrepreneur explained.

Global Standards Are Key to Investment Conversion

One of the biggest challenges, according to international donors, is the low level of project readiness on the Ukrainian side. By expert estimates, up to 90% of projects fail to pass initial screenings simply because they lack basic internationally accepted documentation — such as financial models, risk assessments, scaling plans, or transparent governance structures.

“If a project doesn’t come with an investment memorandum or budget formatted in a way that investors are used to, it won’t even be reviewed. We must learn to operate by international rules,” Popov emphasized.

Scale and Ownership Matter

Popov also stresses the need for a more ambitious, large-scale mindset. While local initiatives are valuable, they often fall short of attracting global institutional investors.

“Investors are not looking for $200,000 projects. They’re looking for large-scale initiatives — projects worth hundreds of millions, with clear global market potential,” he explained.

Another crucial issue is the tendency to shift responsibility outward

“Why do we expect the West to solve our internal problems — corruption, legal bottlenecks, bureaucracy? This surprises our partners. They expect leadership from us,” Popov added.

Strong Support in Tech, Services, and Defense

Western institutions are ready to invest in tech startups, service-based platforms, education products, and especially the defense sector. According to Popov, defense may become a new engine of international collaboration.

“Europe is already launching joint defense production with Ukraine — across multiple countries at once. This minimizes risk and opens real opportunities for long-term cooperation. This isn’t just aid — it’s strategic partnership,” he noted.

The Core Message: It’s Time to Act

Popov underlines that the West is not tired of Ukraine — they’re tired of talk without follow-through. International partners are still open and supportive, but they now expect real, measurable action, not just declarations of intent.

📌 More insights, behind-the-scenes stories, photos, and videos from URC2025 — available on Nick Popov’s official social media pages:

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nick.popov_) / Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykyta-popov02/) / Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/mykytapopovkyiv/)