Ukraine Innovation and Engineering Lab — a 10-week engineering program based on an actual Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) course and adapted to the Ukrainian context. More than 100 selected participants will work in teams on real-world technological challenges—from problem research to the creation and testing of a working prototype.
The program will run from October 2026 to February 2027 and is being implemented with the partnership support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Its focus is on solutions that can be applied in high-tech industries.
The Ukraine Innovation and Engineering Lab is built around the “learning by doing” principle: instead of working on hypothetical academic assignments, participants will receive real-world engineering cases from partner companies and work on them throughout the course.
Each team will consist of 10 participants and will work on a single technological challenge over the course of 10 weeks. Teams will progress from researching the problem and identifying potential solutions to designing, developing, testing, and creating a proven prototype.
From a real-world problem to a working prototype
The key idea behind the Ukraine Innovation and Engineering Lab is to bridge the gap between engineering education and the real-world technological challenges facing Ukrainian companies today.
The course is based on MIT methodology and combines an academic foundation with hands-on teamwork.
More than 40 experts are expected to be involved in working with the teams.
Among the areas in which partners can propose engineering case studies are:
The program involves regular in-person work in Kyiv. Teams will work in KAI’s new labs.
KAI is responsible for adapting the MIT course to the Ukrainian context, organizing and overseeing the learning process, selecting participants, forming balanced teams, engaging mentors, providing access to labs, and organizing the final Demo Day.
Partner companies, in turn, can provide the program with real-world technology case studies and the necessary context, involve their own experts, supply equipment, technologies, and materials, and continue to work with the teams’ results.
The author and developer of the Ukraine Innovation and Engineering Lab — Gene R. Keselman, a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, executive director of MIT Mission Innovation Experimental (MIx), and managing director of MIT Proto Ventures.
Gene R. Keselman has over 20 years of military experience in the U.S. Air Force.
His professional experience spans nuclear and space operations, procurement, and defense program management, as well as technology and research programs for the U.S. intelligence community
He also has hands-on entrepreneurial experience and works on developing technologies from concept to company formation. MIT Proto Ventures, which he leads, operates as a venture studio focused on transforming promising technologies into new businesses.
Keselman is already involved in the Ukrainian context: he is a member of MIT-Ukraine Allies and has participated in MIT programs related to finding technological solutions for Ukraine.
The director of the Ukraine Innovation and Engineering Lab program is Radmila Segol, vice rector for admissions and online education at KAI and a Global MIT At-Risk Fellow for 2026–2027.
The team also includes the deans of three specialized faculties at KAI: Sviatoslav Yutkevych, Dean of the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering; Roman Odarchenko, Dean of the Faculty of Air Navigation, Electronics, and Telecommunications; and Andriy Fesenko, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology.
Registration and participant selection will take place in September.
The program will begin in October: selected participants will be grouped into balanced teams based on their expertise and the case studies they will work on.
Next comes 10 weeks of intensive teamwork on technological solutions, with weekly in-person sessions in KAI’s labs and support from mentors.
In February 2027, the teams will present their results during Demo Day in Kyiv.
But Demo Day won’t necessarily be the end of the journey. The next stage, built into the program’s model, is the implementation of the developed solution at a partner company.
It is precisely this approach that sets the Ukraine Innovation and Engineering Lab apart from a traditional educational course: the outcome should not be a grade or a course project, but a technological solution that has progressed to a proven prototype and can be further developed outside the university.
The program is aimed at people with a technical background who are ready to work on real-world engineering challenges in an intensive team setting.
The Ukraine Innovation and Engineering Lab is open not only to KAI students. Senior undergraduate and graduate students, as well as participants with relevant experience in software development, AI, robotics, electronics, engineering, and related technological fields, are eligible to apply.
Participation is free for candidates who pass the selection process
Detailed terms and registration: https://ielab.tech/
For reference
Ukraine Innovation and Engineering Lab is a 10-week project-based engineering program modeled after a real MIT course and adapted by KAI to the Ukrainian context. Its goal is to bring together talented technical participants, academic expertise, the university’s infrastructure, and real-world technological needs of companies to create working prototypes.
The program will run from October 2026 to February 2027.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA, and one of the world’s leading centers for education, science, engineering, and technological innovation. Founded in 1861, MIT conducts fundamental and applied research in engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics, aerospace technology, energy, biotechnology, and other fields. An important part of the MIT ecosystem is technology entrepreneurship and the transfer of research from laboratories to practical applications.
The National University “Kyiv Aviation Institute” is a university with nearly a century of history in aviation and engineering education. Today, it is a major educational and technological hub where aviation, unmanned systems, defense tech, IT, engineering, and dozens of other fields are being developed. State-of-the-art laboratories, hands-on projects, and collaboration with industry give students the opportunity to work with real-world technologies while still in school.
Three startups from Ukraine and Europe — Obriy AI, Itera, and citytax — have been selected to pilot digital solutions for public services under GovTech Lab Ukraine, Ukraine’s first open innovation programme for the public sector. Each team will receive up to USD 100,000 to implement and test their solutions in partnership with Ukrainian government institutions.
GovTech Lab Ukraine is Ukraine’s first open innovation programme for the public sector that enables government institutions to work directly with startups to design and test digital solutions before scaling them. This approach helps reduce the risks of large-scale digital projects, accelerates innovation cycles, and allows both public institutions and technology companies to develop solutions grounded in real operational needs — ultimately improving public services and strengthening the digital economy.
This year, GovTech Lab Ukraine focused on three challenge areas developed together with government partners: legal assistance, urban development, and tourism management. During the programme, seven startups worked with public-sector teams to refine user needs, test hypotheses, and prepare pilot concepts, which they presented at Demo Day.
The solutions were reviewed by an Advisory Board that included representatives from government, international organisations, and the GovTech ecosystem. The jury evaluated how clearly each team addressed a real public-sector problem, how feasible and scalable the proposed pilot was, the robustness of the technical approach, the value for money, and the expected impact. Based on this evaluation, one startup per challenge area was selected to receive funding of up to USD 100,000 and move forward to implementation and piloting.
Winning startups and their pilot solutions
1. Automated legal assistance (Public sector partner: Ministry of Justice of Ukraine)
The challenge focuses on improving access to basic legal guidance for citizens while reducing operational workload for the Free Legal Aid service.
Winner: Obriy AI
Obriy AI, a Ukrainian company developing enterprise-grade AI solutions, will pilot its SURE platform to support the Free Legal Aid service. The solution deploys AI agents capable of understanding legal intent, retrieving information from knowledge bases, and assisting operators in handling citizen inquiries while complying with strict security and data-governance requirements. The pilot is expected to help reduce workload for legal aid staff, improve response times, and ensure more consistent service delivery.
2. Data-driven tourism management (Public sector partner: State Agency for Tourism Development of Ukraine)
Thу challenge focuses on improving the collection, analysis, and use of tourism data to support better policy and decision-making.
Winner: citytax UAB
citytax UAB is a Lithuanian GovTech startup developing digital infrastructure for public-sector tourism management and local taxation. The company will pilot a digital platform for accommodation registration and tourist-tax administration, introducing standardized identifiers, structured data flows, and AI-based screening of accommodation listings. The solution helps authorities identify unregistered properties, improve compliance, and enable more reliable tourism data for policymaking. The platform is designed to integrate with public-sector systems and align with European regulatory requirements, supporting scalable implementation beyond the pilot stage.
3. Transparent and efficient urban development (Public sector partner: State Inspectorate of Architecture and Urban Planning of Ukraine)
Thу challenge aims to improve transparency and efficiency in construction and urban planning processes, particularly in working with documentation and regulatory requirements.
Winner: Itera
Itera is a Nordic software and innovation company with more than 30 years of experience and a strong team in Ukraine. The company presented an AI-powered solution designed to automate the extraction, structuring, and verification of complex construction documentation. The system performs compliance checks against regulatory requirements and introduces auditable workflows and role-based dashboards, helping improve transparency and efficiency in construction-permit issuance.
The next phase of the programme
Selection of the winners marks the transition to the implementation phase — the most critical stage of the GovTech Lab Ukraine programme. Over the next 12 weeks, startup teams will work together with government partners to develop and deploy the proposed pilot solutions in real operating environments. These pilots are designed to generate practical evidence on effectiveness, usability, and scalability, helping public institutions make informed decisions about further adoption and scaling.
Disclaimer:
GovTech Lab Ukraine is an open innovation programme in government technology implemented by the Global Government Technology Centre Kyiv (GGTC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the World Economic Forum, and with the support of Switzerland within EGAP Program, which is carried out by East Europe Foundation. More information about the GovTech Lab programme can be found via the link.
Support for selected challenges is provided by Mastercard, partner of the data-driven tourism management challenge, and East Europe Foundation, partner of the automated legal assistance challenge. Infrastructure resources across all three challenges are provided by De Novo, enabling startup teams to design and test pilot solutions.
The Global Government Technology Centre (GGTC) Kyiv became the second GovTech centre in the world after Berlin and the 21st Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in the World Economic Forum network. GGTC Kyiv is supported by Switzerland within EGAP Program, which is carried out by East Europe Foundation, and initiated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the World Economic Forum.
We invite Ukrainian startups to take part in a survey whose results will be used to develop recommendations for the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF), and European partners.
The Civitta and EasyBusiness teams, with the support of EU4Innovation East, are analyzing the current state of Ukraine’s startup ecosystem. They invite founders and representatives of Ukrainian startups to participate in the survey in order to gather a realistic picture of the market. In particular, the study aims to understand:
Your responses will have a real impact. The results of the study will form the basis for recommendations for key public institutions – the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Startup Fund – as well as European partners. In addition, the research will help assess how well the Ukrainian startup ecosystem aligns with the standards of the European Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA).
The survey is anonymous and takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete. All data will be used exclusively for research purposes.
Deadline: 13 February 2026
The project is funded by the European Commission, co-financed by the Ministry of Economy of the French Government, and implemented by Expertise France.
Challenger Accelerator is launching Challenger Bootcamp: USA Market Access – an online program for startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators seeking a structured approach to entering the U.S. market.
Challenger Bootcamp is designed for teams that want to gain a deeper understanding of the logic of the US market, its expectations, and rules of the game, as well as to test their product’s readiness for scaling in the United States. The programme is built around practical workshops and the expertise of top Ukrainian and US experts with hands-on experience in the American market and international startups. It also includes individual and group mentoring sessions with Ukrainian and American experts.
“Participants will gain a clear understanding of how the U.S. startup ecosystem works, how to validate product demand, build sales strategies, and communicate effectively with investors. This enables teams to avoid common mistakes and move faster from idea to tangible results in international markets,” says Yurii-Volodymyr Blavt, Partner at Civitta and expert in innovation and business development.
During the programme, participants will work on key aspects of entering the US market – from product validation and building sales to legal, financial, and investment matters. Special attention will be given to practical case studies of companies that have already successfully entered the American market.
The program consists of 6 online workshops focused on applying acquired knowledge directly to participants’ products and business models. The working languages of the program are Ukrainian and English.
As part of the programme, the following workshops will be held:
18 February – The U.S. Startup Ecosystem: Overview and Growth Opportunities. Presentation of the Ukrainian Business Embassy Programme with the participation of the U.S. Embassy.
Speakers:
20 February – Cultural Differences Between the U.S. and Ukraine: How to Build Effective Business Cooperation.
25 February – Fundraising and Investor Relations: Preparing to Raise Investment. Speaker: Sarah Romanko, Associate on the Investment Team at Geek Ventures.
4 March – Customer Discovery and Product–Market Fit: Adapting Your Product to the U.S. Market. Speaker: Valentyn Yaromenko, Founder of Big Sister AI.
11 March – Marketing and Sales: Strategies for B2B and B2C. Speaker: Yuliia Popyk, Brand Manager at Petcube.
18 March – Legal and Financial Aspects: Regulation, Taxation, and Certification in the U.S. Speaker: Manuel Airapetov, Managing Partner and Founder of “Airapetov & Partners” Law Firm, Expert in National and International Law.
Who Should Apply
As a result of the program, participants will develop a structured go-to-market vision for the U.S. market, gain a clear understanding of key risks and opportunities, and receive practical, actionable insights to support their next growth steps and international expansion.
Startups with the most relevant and well-defined market entry goals may also receive additional mentoring sessions with program experts.
To participate, please complete the registration form: https://forms.gle/vRsL8oETDuPb6wt17
Applications are open until 17 February.
The program is implemented by Radar Tech and Civitta with the support of American Councils and the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine.
AI HOUSE have just launched applications for Deep Tech Accelerator: Hardware Edition. It’s a chance for early-stage startups combining AI and hardware to turn their prototypes into real, scalable products.
Over the program of four months, teams will work with top mentors, engineers, and founders, diving deep into production, certification, and fundraising, and pitch their solutions at Demo Day in front of investors.
Plus, there’s a $10,000 grant for the winning startup.
📅 Program starts — January 17, 2026
⏰ Application deadline — December 19
🔗 Learn more via the link
If you’re building something at the intersection of AI and hardware — this is your moment to make it real.
Not long ago the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) held one of its flagship events in Budapest, Hungary, celebrating Europe’s most talented innovators of the year. Among this year’s winners at EIT Innovation Awards were three Ukrainian startups participating in the EIT Jumpstarter program, as well as ten Ukrainian female leaders honoured with the annual EIT Red Kalyna Award.
Ukrainian Startups Among the EIT Jumpstarter Winners
The ceremony featured the Grand Finale of the EIT Jumpstarter programme, designed to transform scientific results into viable businesses and strengthen the innovation ecosystem in Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe. 42 teams selected from 908 applicants from over 22 countries competed for a total prize pool of 132 500 euros. In the Grand Finale, 21 participants received awards across seven key categories, including three Ukrainian teams:
The Ukrainian startups presented solutions in the fields of mental health, medical rehabilitation, and grant support for businesses and NGOs — demonstrating that the country’s innovation ecosystem continues to develop despite the war.
“It’s inspiring to see how each year the programme attracts even stronger and more innovative ideas. This year’s finalists have shown great potential to make a real impact in their industries, and we are proud to support their journey from early-stage concepts to scalable solutions. Their passion and hard work are truly commendable, and I’m confident they will shape the future of innovation in Europe,” said Kristina Lovrek, Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) Project Coordinator.
Since 2017, the EIT Jumpstarter programme has helped create 140 start-ups, trained more than 1200 participants, created over 2000 new jobs, and attracted approximately €150 million in external investment.
Ukrainian Women Honoured with the EIT Red Kalyna 2025 Awards
A dedicated part of the ceremony celebrated the annual EIT Red Kalyna Award, which honours Ukrainian women driving innovation and resilience amid the ongoing war. Now in its third year, the award highlights a rapidly growing community of female leaders shaping Ukraine’s future across technology, science, design, governance and social impact. This year’s awardees included Inna Poliakova, Ruslana Dovzhyk, Oksana Kikhtenko, Aleksandra Boguslavskaya, Kateryna Ryabiko, Olena Dovgopolova, Anna Chorna, Anastasia Sleptsova, Olga Veselovska, Anastasiia Dmytriv.
About EIT
The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial talent to create sustainable growth and skilled jobs in Europe. The EIT is an EU body and an integral part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
The Institute supports dynamic pan-European partnerships, EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), among leading companies, research labs and universities. These KICs are dedicated to driving systemic change in Europe and beyond, focusing on key areas such as climate change, energy, health, food, manufacturing, raw materials, digitalization, urban mobility, and culture and creativity.
Together with their leading partners, the EIT Community offers a wide range of innovation and entrepreneurship activities across Europe: entrepreneurial education courses, business creation and acceleration services and innovation driven research projects.
Mentors4Starters, a leadership mentoring program with over a decade of success in Poland, is officially launching in Ukraine. Over the course of five months, participants will work on their personal career goals through 1-to-1 sessions with experienced Ukrainian top managers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders — professionals who will help young talents turn ambition and drive into tangible results.
Mentors4Starters Ukraine is free of charge and will start in November 2025. Applications are open until October 26 on the program’s website: https://mentors4startersua.com/
How the program works
Mentors4Starters Ukraine runs for five months. During this time, each mentor meets with their mentee 4-6 times (online or offline) to discuss professional challenges in 1-to-1 sessions, explore new solutions together, and uncover growth opportunities.
Mentoring culture in Ukraine is rapidly evolving, and demand is growing. At the same time, a new generation of creative and ambitious professionals is launching bold projects and businesses that are changing reality and shaping the future. Now, support from C-level leaders can be decisive, helping participants unlock their potential and reach a new level in their careers.
Additionally, Mentors4Starters participants become part of a vibrant community: we organize workshops and networking events where mentees can exchange experiences with peers at similar career stages, find inspiration, and grow together.
What makes the program unique
Who can become a mentee
Ambitious professionals with over five years of experience who don’t settle for what they’ve already achieved. Those who want to grow as leaders, enhance their soft skills, and contribute to the development of Ukraine’s professional communities.
Mentors4Starters Ukraine is designed for those who:
About Mentors4Starters
The Mentors4Starters program began in Poland in 2014 as an extension of the Global Shapers initiative. Over 11 years, it has connected hundreds of young leaders with experienced mentors and built a strong professional community.
Mentors in Poland include top managers from global corporations such as Google, Goldman Sachs, PwC, Bain & Company, BNP Paribas, ING Bank; experts from leading Polish companies like Allegro and PZU; partners from investment funds; as well as well-known leaders in media and culture.
Hatathon 6.0 — the annual online ideathon by HATA Hub, implemented as a joint project of Digitizing.Space, House of Europe, and Goethe-Institut Ukraine — has officially started. This year, the event will unite participants from Ukraine and Ukrainian communities across five EU countries: Germany, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, and the Netherlands.
Hatathon 6.0 creates a space for international collaboration, cultural diplomacy, and the strengthening of national identity through innovation. Participants will develop and implement projects in the field of Culture Tech — United by Culture. Powered by Tech.
What is Culture Tech?
Culture Tech combines culture, art, innovative technologies, and digital tools to create projects at the intersection of creativity and technology.
Its professionals use tech solutions to create, promote, and preserve culture.
Who Can Apply?
Creative professionals, graphic and web designers, developers, engineers, data analysts, videographers and film industry experts; startup founders, artists, museum, archive, and library professionals; curators, cultural and art managers, PR and marketing specialists, as well as representatives of local authorities.
Eligible Project Ideas
We are looking for Culture Tech and Heritage Tech ideas, including:
What Do Participants Gain?
Key Dates
Apply by: October 20, 2025 (until 17:00)
Opening Ceremony: October 20, 2025 (online)
Final Pitch Day: October 31, 2025
About the Project
Hatathon 6.0 is supported by the European Union under the House of Europe program.
The project is implemented by Civic.Space NGO and the innovation agency Digitizing.Space, in partnership with House of Europe and Goethe-Institut Ukraine.
House of Europe is a program funded by the European Union and implemented by Goethe-Institut Ukraine. It supports professional and creative exchange between Ukrainians and their peers in the EU and the United Kingdom.
The program focuses on culture and the creative sector, education and youth work, social entrepreneurship, and media — with special attention to supporting Ukraine’s national communities.
Goethe-Institut e. V. is the cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, operating worldwide. It promotes the German language abroad and fosters international cultural cooperation. Its cultural and educational programs strengthen intercultural dialogue, civic engagement, and global mobility.
Digitizing.Space is an innovation agency focused on developing and implementing effective digital solutions for businesses, communities, and non-profit organizations. The company helps transform processes and projects into online and hybrid formats, enhancing digital engagement among participants.
Civic.Space NGO develops innovative approaches in the spheres of civil society and culture.
HATA Hub is a platform that unites Ukrainian culture and technology it nurtures the Culture Tech ecosystem and serves as the organizer of the Hatathon.
An administrative panel to support frontline communities, an app for sustainable housing, and startup concepts — GoIT Hackathon 2025 brought together 93 participants from various fields — from development to cybersecurity — into nine teams that, over two weeks, created practical IT solutions for the charitable organization InHarmony and their own startup projects.
The format gave students and graduates a chance to experience real-world conditions — with deadlines, team roles, and jury pitches — while partners got to see a new generation of IT professionals in action.
At the final Demo Day, teams presented nine solutions evaluated by experts in UI/UX, AI, product management, career consulting, and the non-profit sector. Among the jury were representatives from Grandia Solutions, AI HOUSE, Avrora Multimarket, and Neoversity. Their feedback confirmed that participants demonstrated a high level of technical and soft skills and showed readiness to tackle real challenges.
Four teams were recognized by the jury in the following categories:
The hackathon’s partners included IT University Neoversity, Avrora Multimarket, AI community AI HOUSE, IT company Grandia Solutions, and the InHarmony charity organization.
“We wanted to give participants not just a task, but an experience that mirrors real IT work. It’s a chance to see yourself not as a student, but as a specialist — someone responsible for a product and its value. The hackathon became a space to experiment, make mistakes, and find solutions together — that’s how real learning happens,” — the organizers noted.
Participants had diverse backgrounds — from those just starting their studies to professionals with over two years of commercial experience. Teams were formed to combine different skill levels and disciplines, creating an atmosphere close to real work conditions.
Each participant received a certificate, special learning offers from GoIT and Neoversity, and gifts from partner companies. The most active and initiative participants will have the opportunity to intern at Grandia Solutions.
GoIT Hackathon 2025 became the first event of this format for the GoIT student and alumni community. It was a space where education met business and social impact. GoIT plans to make the hackathon a regular initiative, allowing talented specialists to create real-world solutions during their studies and strengthen Ukraine’s IT ecosystem.
If you have a software startup at the MVP or ready product stage, you should definitely apply. You will have an intense program with top experts and funds, as well as the opportunity to get your first funding.
Read more about what you will get in the YEP Acceleration:
The program consists of two phases:
YEP believes that you can go through this journey and make a successful boost to your startup.
Register here.
Deadline: October 5
The YEP Acceleration is supported by the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, which invests in a competitive economy to create strong, prosperous, and secure business opportunities. Program partners: Ukrainian Startup Fund, Cisco, Genesis Tech, Lift99 Kyiv Hub.
Google continues its initiative to provide training in cloud technologies in Ukraine and announces registration for a new stream of the free “Grow Your Career with Google Cloud” program. The program will run live online from September 29 to November 30, 2025. Additionally, participants will have access to all materials and webinar recordings throughout the entire period, allowing them to choose a convenient pace and schedule for learning.
During the program, participants will gain theoretical knowledge about cloud technologies and practical experience in building small projects based on artificial intelligence. Upon completion, the most active participants will have the opportunity to take the Google Cloud certification exam.
The program will be particularly beneficial for:
Participants will receive:
You can register for the program via the link. After registration, you will receive an email with instructions for further steps, including information about webinars from cloud technology experts.
These and other resources created by Google for learning for school, work, or life can be found on Google Learning educational hub.
EdTech, HealthTech, and AI startups — are you ready to attract investment, refine your product, and scale? Challenger Accelerator invites you to join Batch 4.0 on equity-free terms.
Here’s what you’ll get:
The program will run in a hybrid format from January to April 2026, concluding with Demo Day in April.
Application deadline: November 20
Apply here: https://www.challengeraccelerator.com/accelerators/challenger-ai
If you want to get to know the Challenger team better, register for the Challenger Startup Roast, taking place on October 14 in Kyiv. You’ll have the opportunity to pitch your startup to investors and experts and receive valuable feedback — or join an event as a guest: https://surl.li/uebbvn
Organized by Civitta and RadarTech with the support of #ESTDEV #FromThePeopleOfEstonia.
If you are looking for financial support to rebuild or restart your small business, several EU-supported initiatives can help.
One of the key opportunities is the Ukraine Investment Framework, which has launched a new call for proposals to provide indirect lending to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through banks. This initiative aims to expand access to financing, especially for businesses operating in war-affected regions, as well as those founded by internally displaced persons (IDPs), veterans, and other groups impacted by the war, and supports sectors like manufacturing, agribusiness, energy, and digital. You don’t apply directly — just contact your local bank (e.g., Kredobank, ProCredit, Ukreximbank, or others working with EBRD/EIB) and ask about loan products supported by the EU or UIF. You can also check updates on EU4Business and Diia.Business or reach out to your local Business Support Centre (BISC) for advice on funding opportunities.
Other sources of financial assistance may include EU-funded programmes, grants from international organisations, and local business development funds. Be sure to explore options under EU4Business and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), which regularly offer financial and advisory support for SMEs in Ukraine.
Ukrainian SMEs can access EU-backed loans and guarantees through various programmes designed to support business growth and recovery. One of the key initiatives is the EU4Business-EBRD Credit Line, part of the EU SME Competitiveness and Inclusion Programme in Ukraine. This programme, available through local partner banks such as OTP Bank, Kredobank, ProCredit Bank, Credit Agricole, Ukrgasbank, Privatbank, and Ukreximbank, offers favorable financing conditions for investments in energy efficiency, modern equipment, and compliance with EU standards.
Additionally, the EU4Business Guarantee Facility helps SMEs secure financing by reducing collateral requirements, making loans more accessible even in high-risk times. Another important initiative, EU Support for Ukrainian Micro, Small, and Medium-Sized Enterprises, focuses on the recovery of war-affected businesses by providing credit guarantees through partner banks such as Kredobank and Privatbank.
To explore specific financing options, SMEs can check the loan and guarantee programmes offered by individual banks: Kredobank / ProCredit Bank / Credit Agricole / Ukrgasbank / Privatbank / Ukreximbank.
Organic Export, a leading Ukrainian honey exporter, utilized the EU4Business Guarantee to secure a €1 million loan. This funding helped them expand their capacity and increase honey exports to the EU by 25%.
How can I develop my business skills or receive strategy advice?
If you’re looking to improve your business skills or develop a growth strategy, several EU-supported initiatives in Ukraine can help. The Business Information Support Centre (BISC) Network, initially created with the EU support by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), helps SMEs to grow, improve their competitiveness, and integrate into regional and global markets. BISCs provide training, consulting, and networking opportunities to support business development.
Another valuable resource is MEREZHA, an online platform for expert solutions launched by the EBRD in December 2019 with EU support. MEREZHA connects SMEs with reliable business experts who provide mentorship, professional advice, and tailored solutions for business growth.
Additionally, programmes under the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN-Ukraine) offer training, networking, and advisory services to help SMEs expand their operations and access new markets.
With EU4Business support, Oksana Bas turned her passion for heritage into a sustainable tourism business by receiving expert advice, branding guidance, and financial assistance to develop a historical-ethnic estate in western Ukraine.
Are there international exchange opportunities for entrepreneurs?
Yes, Ukrainian entrepreneurs can benefit from several EU-funded international exchange opportunities to gain hands-on experience, expand their networks, and enhance their business skills.
One of the key initiatives is the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, which allows Ukrainian entrepreneurs to work alongside experienced business counterparts in the EU for up to six months. This exchange provides valuable insights into managing small businesses and developing international partnerships.
Between 2009 and 2024, the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) programme has facilitated over 12,700 business exchanges across Europe in more than 45 countries, with more than 11,800 completed. EYE has a high approval rate, with 98% of new entrepreneurs recommending it, and 92% of participants staying in touch after their exchange. Ukrainian entrepreneurs have actively participated in these exchanges, gaining valuable experience and fostering international partnerships.
Another important opportunity is provided by the EU4Business: SME Recovery, Competitiveness and Internationalisation programme (finished in spring 2025), co-financed by the European Union and the German Government and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. One of its recent initiatives, the CONNECT: Export Readiness project, helps Ukrainian SMEs expand their presence in EU markets. In January 2025, CONNECT supported a study trip for 10 Ukrainian textile companies to Germany, allowing them to explore new export opportunities and strengthen international ties.
With the support of the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, Natalia – a single mother from Ukraine – launched a successful nail business in Lithuania.
How can I export my products to the EU or other markets?
Ukrainian SMEs looking to expand into the EU or other international markets can access targeted support through several EU-funded programmes.
One of the key initiatives is the Ukraine-Ready4EU project, operating under the brand name Business Bridge. This programme provides financial support combined with expert advisory services to help up to 1,500 Ukrainian SMEs become more active in the EU Single Market. Participating businesses also receive access to tools and networks such as the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), European Cluster Collaboration Platform (ECCP), and Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE), which facilitate partnerships and market integration.
Venko, a Ukrainian 3D wall panel designer, leveraged EU support to make significant strides in European markets, showcasing the effectiveness of export assistance programmes.
Are there tailored programmes for women entrepreneurs?
Yes, there are dedicated EU-supported programmes in Ukraine aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of women-led businesses.
The Business for Women initiatives offer targeted funding, mentoring, and business development services to help women-led SMEs strengthen their operations and achieve long-term growth. These programmes aim to create a more inclusive business environment and address specific challenges faced by female entrepreneurs.
One of the key initiatives is the EU-EBRD Women in Business programme, which includes a web-based self-assessment tool designed specifically for women-led MSMEs. This tool helps users better understand their business operations, identify financing needs, and explore development opportunities.
Through these programmes, women entrepreneurs can access a combination of financial and non-financial support tailored to their business needs, increasing their chances of success in both local and international markets.
How can I digitize my company?
Ukrainian SMEs seeking to digitise their operations can benefit from several EU-funded initiatives designed to support digital transformation and boost competitiveness.
The EU4DigitalUA and EU4Business: SME Policies and Institutions Support (SMEPIS) will offer pilot projects and practical tools such as digitalization audits, IT advisory services, and access to online learning platforms. These resources help small and medium-sized businesses transition to digital platforms, streamline operations, and adopt more efficient business models. The opportunities will be published on the Diia.Business and other grant platforms for business.
In January 2025, the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) Network officially expanded to include Ukraine, providing an additional layer of support for digital innovation. These hubs are designed to help local businesses, startups, and public institutions access advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), digital tools, and funding opportunities. To find a relevant EDIH near you and explore their services, visit the official EDIH catalogue.
Where can I learn about available support?
Ukrainian entrepreneurs can access EU grants and tenders through several platforms that regularly publish open calls and funding opportunities tailored to small and medium-sized businesses.
The EU4Business Ukraine website is a primary source of information, offering regular updates on new grant calls, tenders, and EU-funded programmes available to SMEs. In addition, platforms such as ProZorro and announcements from the EU Delegation to Ukraine serve as reliable channels for discovering public procurement and international donor opportunities.
The updated Diia.Business Portal, relaunched in 2024, also provides extensive, industry-oriented support. It features tailored sections including Diia.Business Start, Development, Export, Women, Veterans, and Digital — each offering guidance and tools suited to different business types and growth stages, including information on funding and market access.
To make the search for grants more efficient, the Grant Market portal (developed by Business Community Club in partnership with the Business Information Support Centre Network) aggregates business grants and offers advanced filters to help users quickly find the most relevant opportunities.
Another helpful source is mbusiness.org.ua, which aggregates grant programmes from EU institutions, international donors, and support initiatives, offering brief descriptions and direct links to application guidelines.
The EU NEIGHBOURS East programme also regularly publishes opportunities for Ukrainian businesses. Subscribe to their alerts for all the latest information.
By combining these tools, SMEs can efficiently identify and apply for EU-supported funding and partnership opportunities that match their business goals.
GovTech Lab Ukraine programme opens its first call for startups and innovators to co-create and pilot digital solutions with Ukrainian government institutions. Selected participants can receive up to €150,000 in pilot funding, gain direct access to decision-makers, and contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s recovery and resilience while delivering social impact at scale.
GovTech Lab UA is Ukraine’s first open innovation programme that helps Ukrainian government institutions solve real-world challenges with digital solutions that work for the public good. It brings together ministries and state agencies, to identify pressing public sector problems — and invites startups (series A+), tech companies, and innovators to co-develop and pilot practical digital solutions that deliver measurable impact.
The programme is implemented by the Global Government Technology Centre Kyiv, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the World Economic Forum, and with the support of Switzerland within EGAP Program, which is carried out by East Europe Foundation.
Ukraine is rapidly transforming its public services through digital innovation, but government institutions still face complex challenges in efficiency, service delivery and innovation implementation. Traditional procurement and reform processes are often too slow to address urgent needs in the face of multiple crises and the demands of post-war recovery.
At the same time, Ukraine has a thriving tech ecosystem and strong political will for innovation. International and local Ukrainian startups and innovators can play a key role in co-developing solutions that not only improve public services, but also contribute to Ukraine’s resilience and rebuilding.
Through GovTech Lab Ukraine, ministries and state agencies open their most pressing challenges to innovators. Selected participants will co-create and pilot practical digital solutions with Ukrainian government partners, with pilots sponsored up to €150,000. Beyond funding, innovators gain a unique opportunity to enter the Ukrainian market, test solutions in real-world conditions, and deliver measurable social impact.
GovTech Lab Ukraine is looking for solutions that drive innovation and impact in three priority public sector areas:
How can technology help Ukraine ensure transparent, fast and effective decision-making in the field of architecture and construction?
How can a reliable digital assistant be implemented that automatically provides legal advice for the most common citizen requests, without compromising the quality of legal assistance and ensuring the possibility of transferring complex requests to legal experts?
How can digital technologies help Ukraine create a transparent, analytical and integrated tourism management system that will increase community revenues, ensure fair competition and guarantee access to quality services?
GovTech Lab UA is looking for startups and innovators from Ukraine and beyond with solutions that have the potential to scale in Ukraine. Applications are welcome from for-profit or social enterprises with a proven track record, capable teams, and a commitment to creating tangible social impact. Not-for-profit organizations with a clearly defined, revenue-generating project may also apply. Solutions should offer innovation, be viable in government or public-sector environments, and support national development priorities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Nine submissions will be chosen (three per challenge area). Selected winners will pilot their solutions with Ukrainian government partners and receive:
The open call for submissions is open from 17 September to 28 October 2025. Selected winners will be announced on 19 November 2025. Interested startups and innovators can find full details on the application process, selection criteria, and how to apply on the UpLink platform: https://uplink.weforum.org/uplink/s/uplink-issue/a00TE00000KR0Zx/govtech-lab-ukraine.
GovTech Lab Ukraine is an open innovation program in government technology implemented by the Global Government Technology Centre Kyiv (GGTC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the World Economic Forum, and with the support of Switzerland within EGAP Program, which is carried out by East Europe Foundation. More information about the GovTech Lab programme can be found at https://www.kyivgovtechcentre.org/govtech-lab.
The Global Government Technology Centre (GGTC) in Kyiv became the second GovTech centre in the world after Berlin and the 21st Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in the World Economic Forum network. GGTC Kyiv is supported by Switzerland within EGAP Program, which is carried out by East Europe Foundation, and initiated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the World Economic Forum.