On March 9, the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), in partnership with the Atlantic Council, hosted an in-person Business Roundtable and Networking Reception in Washington, D.C., as part of the Brave1 USA Investment Roadshow program. The event brought together a high-level delegation of Ukrainian defense technology companies, USUBC members, representatives of the U.S. government, and partner organizations for a focused discussion on Ukraine’s rapidly evolving defense sector and transatlantic cooperation opportunities.
Both Ambassador Stefanishyna and Ambassador Herbst emphasized the strategic timing of the Brave1 USA Investment Roadshow and the growing global interest in Ukraine’s unique, combat validated capabilities, particularly in drone technologies and in securing airspace, which are increasingly sought by international partners. Ambassador Stefanishyna described the companies participating in the Brave1 delegation as “the bravest,” noting that these innovators are developing and deploying advanced technologies under wartime combat conditions.
The Business Roundtable discussion, moderated by Debra Cagan, Senior Advisor, Eurasia Center, Atlantic Council, featured a distinguished panel including Kimberly Kagan, President, Institute for the Study of War (ISW); Oleksandr Kokhanovskyy, Managing Partner, Aero Center; Oleksii Markhovskyi, Co-founder & CPO, Frontline Robotics; Iryna Zabolotna, Deputy Director, Innovation Development Fund & Brave1; and Volodymyr Zinovskyi, CEO, TAF Industries.
Speakers explored how Ukraine’s strategic emerging technologies sector is evolving under wartime conditions, highlighting the country’s unique advantages in rapid innovation, battlefield testing, and scaling of new technologies. The discussion focused on practical cooperation opportunities for U.S. and international partners, including joint R&D, testing in Ukraine, co-production, and pathways for Ukrainian companies to enter U.S. and EU markets. The Brave1 delegation of Ukrainian companies presented cutting-edge solutions and shared their vision for the future, that drew strong interest from participants.
As a special gesture of appreciation, the Brave1 team presented USUBC with a commemorative coin from a limited batch of only 50 pieces, recognizing USUBC’s support for the Brave1 USA Investment Roadshow and its efforts to strengthen U.S.-Ukraine defense and technology partnerships.