Introduction Today, we will discuss Diia.City – an innovative project providing unique legal and economic opportunities for businesses and tech startups. Diia.City is a special legal regime established in Ukraine to stimulate the development of high-tech industries and attract investments.
1. What is Diia.City?
Diia.City is an innovative approach to creating an ecosystem for technology companies and startups. It offers special conditions for business development, including tax benefits, simplified registration procedures, and attractive investment opportunities.
2. Advantages of Diia.City
2.1. Reduction of Tax Rates
One of the key advantages of Diia.City is the reduction of certain taxes. Companies registered in Diia.City can allocate their resources more efficiently, directing them towards innovation and development.
Employee Income Taxes
Comparison:
Reduced Rate | Standard Rate
- 5% Personal Income Tax (PIT) | 18% PIT
- 22% Unified Social Contribution of the minimum wage | 22% of the actual wage (up to 15 MW)
- 1.5% Military Fee | 1.5% Military Fee
Corporate Taxes:
- 0% Corporate Income Tax and 9% on repatriated capital; or the standard 18% corporate income tax.
Choosing the first tax model exempts companies from corporate income tax, and repatriated capital tax is levied on dividends and some other payments. If dividends are reinvested in the company, the repatriated capital tax is not applied.
Investment Incentives
- 0% tax on dividends for individuals, provided they are paid no more than once every 2 years.
- Tax deduction: the amount spent on acquiring a stake in a Ukrainian startup is subtracted from the total taxable income.
2.2. Alternative Employee Hiring Model
Diia.City residents now have access to Gig contracts in addition to standard employment contracts or cooperation with individual entrepreneurs. This allows for lower payments while showing real salaries for IT sector employees, preserving basic social guarantees.
2.3. Simplified Procedures
Registration and business operations procedures in Diia.City have become even more straightforward and transparent, reducing barriers for startups and entrepreneurs, fostering faster development, and technology implementation. Applications can be submitted online without requiring permits or licenses. The application review period is up to 10 working days.
2.4. Venture Investment Instruments
Diia.City offers unique opportunities for attracting investments, making English law elements more understandable to Western investors:
- Convertible loan – allows converting debt claims into company shares under certain conditions, potentially more advantageous for investors than receiving interest on a loan.
- Liquidation Preferences – allows investors to first receive invested funds in case of sale, merger, or company liquidation.
- Option & ESOP – enables attracting, retaining, and motivating employees through stock options.
2.5. Intellectual Property Rights Protection
Ownership rights to intellectual property objects default to the client (employer) unless otherwise specified in the contract between the parties.
2.6. 25-Year Guarantees!
The state guarantees stable conditions for Diia.City residents for 25 years.
3. How to Become Part of Diia.City?
Only companies registered within Ukraine can become Diia.City residents, either existing companies or new startups. Companies wishing to become residents of this special legal regime must meet certain requirements.
Activity Types Requirements:
- Software development and testing, including computer game production.
- Publishing and distributing software, including Software as a Service (SaaS).
- eSports.
- Computer literacy, programming, testing, and technical support software.
- Cybersecurity.
- Research and development in information technology and telecommunications.
- Digital marketing and advertising using software developed by participants.
- Provision of services related to the turnover of virtual assets.
- Robotics.
- Development, implementation, and support of solutions for international payment systems.
- Production of technological products for use in defense, industrial, and household sectors.
- Hosting, including cloud data processing centers.
- Design, production, and maintenance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), including UAV management training.
Salary Requirements for Employees: The average salary must be equivalent to 1200 euros.
Revenue Requirements: 90% of revenue must come from qualified activities, i.e., IT-related activities.
Number of Employees Requirements: The number of employees or Gig-specialists for the reporting period must be at least 9 individuals.
Startup Requirements Differ Slightly:
- The application for registration as a Diia.City resident can be submitted no later than 24 months from the company’s registration date.
- The annual revenue of the startup should not exceed 7.5 million UAH.
- 90% of revenue should come from qualified activities.
Conclusion Diia.City marks a new era for technological entrepreneurship in Ukraine. The combination of tax exemptions, simplified procedures, and investment opportunities creates a unique space for innovation and business growth. If you aspire to develop in the technology sector, Diia.City can become your key partner on the path to success.
Join Diia.City with our assistance and bring your technological ambitions to life today!
