This spring and summer, UAtech Venture Night returns with a new international series of events spotlighting founders, investors, and ecosystem leaders across major global tech weeks and conferences. More than just a pitch competition, each event is designed as a curated experience where high-potential startups, expert speakers, partners, and investors come together for meaningful conversations, live startup discovery, and high-value networking.
The Spring–Summer 2026 Season will span key innovation hubs across Asia, North America, and Europe — including Barcelona, Bangkok, Vancouver, California, Toronto, New York, Amsterdam, London, Paris, and Berlin. Throughout the season, selected international and Ukrainian-rooted startups will take the stage to pitch live, receive direct feedback, and connect with decision-makers who can help accelerate their next stage of growth.
At the heart of every UAtech Venture Night is our jury — a carefully curated group of investors, founders, operators, and industry experts who help identify the most promising startups and bring depth, credibility, and practical insight to the competition. Their expertise plays an essential role in shaping each event and ensuring that the startup selection and evaluation process reflects real market understanding and founder relevance. This structure continues UAtech’s focus on combining startup visibility with expert-driven support and ecosystem access.
We’re excited to introduce the first confirmed jury members joining us for the UAtech Venture Night Spring–Summer 2026 Season. This lineup will continue to grow as we move through the season, with outstanding experts joining us across different cities and verticals.

Volodymyr Demianenko — Founder of UAtech, Co-founder of SOLU and TENO
Volodymyr Demianenko is the Founder of UAtech, a platform spotlighting Ukrainian innovation globally. A seasoned tech entrepreneur and co-founder of SOLU and TENO, he brings 20+ years in tech. He also actively supports startups as a speaker and advisor, with deep expertise in AI, software development, and ecosystem building.
Iryna Andriushchenko — Founder of Handy.ai, AI Entrepreneur of the Year
Iryna Andriushchenko is the founder of Handy.ai, an agentic AI platform for enterprise execution. AI Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 (Women in AI Awards North America), published author on AI systems, and active member of the Google for Startups alumni community.
Anna Nikitenko — Founder of TENO and TextMe Accounting
Anna Nikitenko – A serial founder behind TENO and TextMe, Anna brings sharp expertise in financial systems, regulatory frameworks, and business structures across both U.S. and Canadian markets. With a strong track record of supporting entrepreneurs and investors throughout North America, she understands the critical importance of financial literacy and informed decision-making in startup success.
Vadym Sydorenko — Founder SmartphoneKey AI
Vadym Sydorenko is the founder of SmartphoneKey, a startup developing smart access systems and IoT solutions for internet providers.
Vadym has over 20 years of experience in tech, AI, and telecom. He started as a student passionate about Artificial Intelligence and grew to become CEO of one of Ukraine’s largest ISPs. His focus today is on connecting not just people, but billions of devices—driving the next wave of the internet through innovation, strategy, and real-world impact.
Jane Medvin — Co-founder & VP of Sales & Marketing at Leafio
Jane Medvin is the co-founder and VP of Sales & Marketing at Leafio, an AI-powered retail automation platform active in 40+ countries. With 20 years of B2B enterprise experience, she specializes in global sales, GTM strategy, and international expansion. Jane is currently part of the Stanford LEAD program for innovation-driven executives.
Andrii Lobodiuk — Structural engineer, CEO Proxima Engineering
Andrii Lobodiuk is a structural engineer specializing in the design of underground transportation infrastructure and the application of modern construction solutions. He has participated in the development of structural solutions for underground metro stations as well as other significant construction projects. His professional experience in engineering design spans more than 10 years. Projects implemented with his participation are used daily by tens of thousands of people, demonstrating the practical significance of his engineering solutions.
Andrii currently resides in Chicago, IL, where he founded and develops the engineering consulting company Proxima Engineering. In his professional activities, he applies his accumulated experience in the design of structural systems and infrastructure facilities, contributing to the solution of engineering challenges and the development of modern construction practices.
Maksym Mokiichuk — Project manager specializing in AI-driven and SaaS solutions
Maksym Mokiichuk is a project manager specializing in the delivery of complex technology projects, including AI-driven and SaaS solutions. With nearly four years of experience working with U.S.-based clients, he has led cross-functional initiatives involving software engineering, AI, data, QA, and system integration. His expertise in project delivery, team coordination, and operational management enables him to effectively evaluate innovation, scalability, and execution across modern technology solutions.
Mykola Nazarenko — Industrial Engineer specializing in equipment optimization and production reliability
Mykola Nazarenko is an industrial engineer specializing in the operation, diagnostics, and optimization of production equipment. With hands-on experience in maintaining and improving industrial systems, he works on enhancing the reliability and efficiency of manufacturing processes. His expertise includes system diagnostics, root cause analysis, and equipment adaptation to real operating conditions. By applying a structured, preventive approach, he contributes to reducing downtime, improving process stability, and ensuring consistent production performance across industrial environments.
Yulia Shulpenkova — FMCSA/DOT compliance specialist focused on safety and risk reduction in commercial transportation
Yulia Shulpenkova is a safety management strategist and regulatory compliance specialist focused on FMCSA/DOT compliance, operational risk reduction, and measurable safety improvements in commercial transportation.
As Chief of Excellence (COE) in Safety Management at LAVERNE GROUP INC, she has developed comprehensive safety management systems for fleets operating 45 commercial vehicles across 48 states, helping achieve a 7% reduction in preventable accidents.
With 9+ years of experience in transportation safety leadership, Yulia brings strong technical expertise to complex regulatory compliance and risk management challenges. She is also the developer of the Comprehensive Safety Excellence System (CSES), which integrates data-driven risk analytics with behavioral safety protocols to advance safety performance standards across multinational fleet operations in North America and beyond.
Yulia was also recognized with our People Who Shape Tomorrow Award in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to international transportation safety through the groundbreaking Comprehensive Safety Excellence System (CSES), which integrates data-driven risk analytics with behavioral safety protocols, thereby advancing safety performance standards across multinational fleet operations in North America and beyond.
Myroslav Koval — Founder & CEO of Techlexity & AI-driven software development.
Myroslav Koval is a technology founder, software architect, and CEO & Founder of Techlexity, a U.S.-registered software development company working primarily with U.S.-based clients. He leads distributed engineering teams focused on building scalable web, mobile, and SaaS products for international companies.
With more than 7 years of experience in software development and product architecture, Myroslav specializes in MVP development, early-stage product execution, and recovery of complex software projects. His work helps founders move from idea to functional product while avoiding costly technical mistakes and unnecessary overengineering.
Myroslav received the UAtech and TechEmbassy recognition For Innovation in AI-Driven Software Development & MVP Engineering, highlighting his contribution to efficient, scalable, and practical digital product development. His approach combines structured engineering, cloud infrastructure, AI-assisted workflows, and long-term architectural thinking.
Beyond client work, Myroslav is involved in SaaS products such as goundetected.io and allprofiles.io, reflecting his broader focus on improving how digital products are built, managed, and scaled in the AI era.
Matt Maslowski — Co-founder & CEO of Smartschool, building AI-powered K-12 learning products.
Matt Maslowski is the Co-Founder and CEO of Smartschool, an AI-powered education platform focused on helping K-12 schools and districts deliver personalized learning support at scale. As a serial technology entrepreneur, he has spent more than 10 years building in the education and AI space, including impact-driven ventures such as Smartschool and Meet IT.
His work focuses on using artificial intelligence to improve access to high-quality education, support student learning outcomes, and help public schools implement scalable digital learning solutions. Through his ventures, Matt has contributed to education products serving more than 200,000 students in public schools across America.
With experience at the intersection of edtech, AI, school-market execution, and startup leadership, Matt brings strong practical judgment to evaluating technology products. His background positions him as an expert in AI-driven learning platforms, education innovation, and scalable product development for K-12 environments.
Paul Burzynski — Co-founder & CPO of Smartschool, building data-driven AI education platforms.
Paul Burzynski is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Smartschool, an AI-powered education platform focused on improving K-12 learning through personalized, data-driven support. As a serial technical founder and AI expert, he has more than 12 years of experience building technology platforms across education, music, and other sectors, including Smartschool, Meet IT, and UView.
His work focuses on product architecture, AI-driven learning systems, and the practical implementation of technology in real school environments. Paul has contributed to education products that have supported more than 200,000 students, with measurable learning outcomes across major U.S. school districts, including NYC DOE and Boston Public Schools.
With deep experience in engineering, product development, AI implementation, and scalable digital platforms, Paul brings strong technical and product judgment to evaluating startups. His background positions him as an expert in AI-powered education technology, data-driven learning products, and scalable product execution.
Julia Kolodkina - Brand strategist and Founder of Aliiiens & ALL EYES ON US, specializing in AI-driven brand strategy and community-led growth.
Julia Kolodkina is the Founder and CEO of Aliiiens: Brand Venture Lab, a New York-based agency that helps ambitious companies grow through next-generation brand strategy, marketing innovation, and community-led growth. A brand strategist, entrepreneur, and community builder, she has spent more than a decade leading branding and marketing initiatives for Fortune 500 companies and high-growth businesses.
Her work focuses on developing AI-driven marketing strategies that help organizations achieve brand differentiation, strengthen market positioning, and drive scalable growth. Working at the intersection of emerging technologies, human behavior, and modern brand building, she has also founded ALL EYES ON US, a curated New York community that brings together women entrepreneurs, executives, investors, and founders through strategic networking and business development opportunities.
With experience spanning brand strategy, marketing innovation, and community-led growth across Fortune 500 and high-growth companies, Julia brings sharp practical judgment to evaluating early-stage ventures. Her background positions her as an expert in AI-driven brand strategy, market positioning, and community-led growth, with a particular commitment to advancing female entrepreneurship and exploring how trust, community, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the future of business.
Author: Volodymyr Demianenko