In Kyiv, UNIT.City resumed its work – the technology park opened its infrastructure for residents and guests, and also spoke about a new model of work in war conditions.
From the first day of the Russian invasion, UNIT.City did not stop its work and worked in a limited format, focusing on the needs of the community. In particular, during this period, the free rent option was introduced, which allows resident companies to pay a rental rate based on their own capabilities. It operates even now. It is reported that after three months of war, not a single resident left the innovation park.
From May 30, all five business campuses, co-working, rapid prototyping laboratory, conference rooms and event venues are already available. Also, educational programs and accelerators will be gradually resumed to support Ukrainian startups.
UNIT.City said that by the end of the war, security is a key priority. The entire territory of the park is heavily guarded, bomb shelters are equipped with everything necessary for a long stay of residents.
“Today, UNIT.City is perhaps the safest place to do business in Kyiv,” says Kyrylo Bondar, partner and CFO of UNIT.City. “The more people who return to work now, the faster the economy of our country will recover. And this is the most important task of Ukrainian business in the current conditions.”
UNIT.City Administration
UNIT.City spoke in detail about the changes and working conditions in the Q&A format.
How will UNIT.City work?
The territory of the innovation park is fully open to current and potential residents. Guests can use coworking services, and for residents of UNIT.Kharkiv and Lviv.Tech.City, coworking in Kyiv will be free. UNIT.Cafe and fast food outlets are already available from the general infrastructure. In the future, the work of the restaurant, street cafes and sports hub will be resumed.
The work schedule and access to the territory under martial law will be provided from 8-00 am to 20-00 pm daily, seven days a week.
How will the safety of people in the park be ensured?
For the safety of residents and visitors, UNIT.City has two modern bomb shelters with a total capacity of about 1000 people. They are equipped with everything necessary to work in conditions of prolonged air raid alert. In particular, drinking water supplies, jobs, the Internet and multimedia systems.
An enhanced access regime has also been introduced, an increased level of protection and patrolling of the territory by the park’s security service has been introduced.
How will the work of event sites be ensured?
Conference rooms will work as always, with the obligatory observance of all safety rules and legal norms. For example, during an air raid, guests will definitely go down to the bomb shelter, where, at the request of the organizers, the event can be continued, thanks to the multimedia equipment installed there.
Will educational programs be restored?
It is planned to resume free accelerator programs for startups soon. The project team actively cooperates with international partners so that startups from Ukraine can join educational and investment programs in Europe, Asia and the USA.
How many residents have already returned or plan to return to work?
Since May 30, about 200 people have returned to work. According to preliminary applications, another 400 are expected in the coming days, and in general, by the end of June, the administration hopes that most of all companies will return to the park.
