Dave Morgan, chief executive of American adtech company Simulmedia, will travel to Ukraine in late September to speak at the IT Arena conference in Lviv.
The trip will mark the New York resident's 16th visit to the country over the past three years. Speaking from the stage in Lviv, Morgan will discuss what he described as the limitless possibilities of Ukraine's technology sector and the power of artificial intelligence for business.
Lviv, located in western Ukraine near the European Union border, has emerged as a key center for the country's software and technology industries. The annual IT Arena conference is one of Eastern Europe's largest tech gatherings, bringing together global investors, software engineers, and corporate executives to showcase digital innovation.
Expanding operations and investments
Morgan brings more than 20 years of experience in the advertising technology sector. Before founding Simulmedia, an American company specializing in television and video advertising tools, he established digital ad platforms TACODA and Real Media. Advertising technology, or adtech, uses software systems and data analytics to automate media buying and target prospective audiences.
In 2024, Morgan expanded his commercial footprint into Ukraine by establishing Simulmedia corporate offices in both the capital city of Kyiv and the western tech hub of Lviv. Kyiv serves as the nation's political and financial center, while Lviv provides access to a growing talent pool of software developers and tech professionals.
In addition to his advertising business, Morgan actively invests in Ukrainian defence technology companies. Defence technology, often referred to as miltech or deftech, encompasses hardware, cybersecurity, communications, and autonomous software developed for military and national security applications. Ukraine has seen rapid growth in defense innovation in recent years.
Insights and future plans
In an interview with Ukrainian news outlet LIGA.net, Morgan shared insights into what attracts him to the Ukrainian business environment and discussed his strategy for effective advertising. He also provided updates on an investment fund for Ukrainian defence technology that he announced in the spring of 2026. LIGA.net is a major online news publication based in Kyiv covering business, technology, and economic policy across the region.
