Who is
Iryna Volnytska?
Iryna’s work is grounded in one belief: to empower innovators to shape the changing world.
With over a decade in deep-tech and consulting, she saw how traditional education kept falling short. So she built something better. That vision became SET University: a non-profit, innovation-driven tech institution born in Ukraine out of necessity. No outdated theory. Just hands-on learning with global experts who’ve built unicorns, defended networks from real-world cyberattacks, and launched products used by millions.
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Iryna is one of the few women leading cybersecurity transformation efforts during wartime. In the past year, she has co-founded two cybersecurity startups:
SET Cyber Labs, a real-world training ground and 24/7 protection service provider, and IronCyber, which simulates live cyberattack scenarios based on Ukraine’s digital battlefield.
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She is also a startup mentor and a judge at international pitch competitions, deeply involved in helping founders navigate the early stages. From validating ideas to refining pitches and scaling companies to real operational guidance to starting entrepreneurs.
Areas of
leadership &
impact
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Innovative model for tech education: born in Ukraine, built for the world
SET University was born out of necessity, launched just months before the full-scale war in Ukraine. Because education isn’t something you pause during challenging times, it’s what you lean into.
SET University is Ukraine-based non-profit tech institution empowering future leaders to drive innovation through science, entrepreneurship, technology.
From master's degrees to specialized microcredential trainings, SET focuses on the skills that actually matter today: modern technologies, startup thinking, and the soft skills needed to lead in an AI-driven future.
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Entrepreneurship is at the core of everything SET does. It’s not just one of a subjects, it’s build into the structure. Here students don’t write papers.
They pitch, prototype, and launch startups. They work side-by-side with unicorn founders, intelligence officers, product leaders. And instead of graduating with a diploma and no direction, they leave with traction.
Through bootcamps and acceleration programs, we support early-stage founders from first spark to full launch. In 2024 alone, we’ve helped 300+ entrepreneurs to launch.
And when we say we launch startups, we mean it. SET Cyber Labs, our cybersecurity startup launched with Hilltop Technologies, protects businesses 24/7 and trains our students in real-time incident response.
So this is what SET does:
we teach, students build, startups rise
As seen & heard on the global stage
As one of the most compelling voices in tech and education, Iryna brings unique vision and expertise. Of someone who launched a university during wartime. Who mentors founders in scale, and clarity under pressure. She shares the hard truths behind startup success, cybersecurity challenges, and why education should evolve faster than the tech it teaches.
Whether it’s a startup pitch arena or a roundtable, Iryna shows up with stories that move, strategies that scale, and a message the audience needs to hear.
Iryna has delivered talks and keynotes at some of the most important tech stages globally
Iryna has delivered talks and keynotes at some of the most important tech stages globally
Iryna has delivered talks and keynotes at some of the most important tech stages globally
Iryna has delivered talks and keynotes at some of the most important tech stages globally
Iryna has delivered talks and keynotes at some of the most important tech stages globally
Iryna has delivered talks and keynotes at some of the most important tech stages globally
Speaking topics
Media Spotlight
Iryna and SET University are building a strong media presence and have already been featured in worldwide recognized top media in higher education.
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Podcast
appearances
Some of the most powerful insights come through the mic. Iryna regularly joins global podcasts to talk about what it means to lead in uncertainty, build education during wartime, and scale startups that actually matter
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