News Feed

EU launches €20 million program to fund Ukrainian startups

2 min read
EU launches €20 million program to fund Ukrainian startups
Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov at the Diia Summit in Kyiv, Dec. 19, 2023. (Mykhailo Fedorov / X)

The European Innovation Council's (EIC) Seeds of Bravery program will distribute 20 million euros ($21.9 million) to support Ukrainian tech startups, the Digital Transformation Ministry reported Dec. 20.

Under the current call, Ukrainian tech startups can apply for grants of €10,000 to put towards consultancy services that will help them upgrade their business model or growth strategy.

Additionally, Seeds of Bravery will launch five programs over the next two years aimed at integrating Ukrainian tech initiatives into the EU innovation ecosystem. Grants through these programs will range from €10,000 to €50,000.  

About 200 Ukrainian deep-tech ventures will each receive €60,000 developmental grants. These companies will also receive non-financial support, such as advisory services and business mentoring.

There will also be €25k grants available through the program's Entrepreneurship, Deep Tech Incubation, and Rebuilding Ukraine initiatives.

At least 20% of the startups participating in the program must be founded or led by women.

"In the past years, the Ukrainian start-up scene has been growing steadily and increasing its contribution to the Ukrainian economic growth," the EIC announcement reads.

"This action should strengthen the Ukrainian tech innovators and ecosystems, supporting innovative solutions for rebuilding the Ukrainian economy and infrastructure after the war."

Reconstruction in Kyiv suburb sabotaged by local officials, discouraging foreign investors
In a dark corner of his makeshift shack, Oleksandr Mazay unveils a hand grenade wrapped in a dirty blanket. He smiles and pulls the pin. Fortunately, the explosive is rusted and inactive. Once belonging to a Chechen soldier, Mazay kept the grenade as a reminder of the brutal occupation he
Article image
Avatar
Abbey Fenbert

Senior News Editor

Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.

Read more
News Feed

In a joint statement, representatives of five Security Council members — Denmark, France, Greece, the United Kingdom and Slovenia — along with incoming member Latvia, denounced Russia's invasion of Georgia 17 years ago and its continued military presence in the country's Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions.

Video

The Kyiv Independent spent a day with the 20th Separate UAV Regiment, also known as K-2, which specializes in ground robots, in northern Donetsk Oblast. We also spoke with the regiment's commander, Kyrylo Veres, about how these machines could shape the next phase of warfare in Ukraine, helping to reduce the risk to soldiers amid a growing manpower shortage.

Show More