Nearly one year after initial announcements, an EU-backed €20 million program to support Ukrainian high-tech startups is starting to take shape.
Earlier this week, the European Commission announced the winner of its competitive call. A “pan-European network of startup associations, enterprise support centres, incubators and accelerators” will be formed to help Ukrainian innovators integrate into the European tech ecosystem.
This network will be led by FundingBox Accelerator in Warsaw, which is part of the winning consortium ‘Seeds of Bravery.’
Under the aegis of the European Innovation Council (EIC), “the action will increase the capacity of Ukrainian innovators to identify European market needs and comply with the EU regulatory framework, enter new markets and interconnect with key innovation stakeholders and networks,” the Commission stated in a press release.
In particular, the program aims to help Ukrainian startups prepare to compete for future EIC and other EU funding opportunities.
At least 200 Ukrainian high-tech startups — yet-to-be-selected — will receive up to €60,000 each, in addition to advisory, coaching and networking services.
This program complements other EU-backed actions, including ‘European Research Area for Ukraine’ (ERA4Ukraine) and the ‘Horizon4Ukraine’ and ‘ERC for Ukraine’ initiatives. The EU is also supporting a dedicated €25 million fellowship scheme for displaced researchers of Ukraine under the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA).
