After two years of supporting Ukrainian technology startups and accelerating their integration into the European innovation ecosystem, the Seeds of Bravery programme concluded in spring 2026. As a project partner, CKIR is proud to share that the programme evolved into a powerful catalyst for Ukrainian innovation, significantly strengthening the international visibility and positioning of Ukrainian startups.
Key results
- €12 million in funding allocated to support innovative startups.
- 2,173 applications were submitted, resulting in 451 grants awarded to more than 320 companies.
- The majority of applications were from Ukrainian startups, but the programme also attracted teams from the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and Estonia.
- Most applications were submitted by startups operating in deep tech, infrastructure, education and science, healthcare and life sciences, and agri-food sectors.
- 37 startup success stories were featured in the book “Roots of Innovation: Inspiring Startup Stories”, presented at IT Arena 2025 in Lviv.
Alongside financial support through grant programmes, Seeds of Bravery delivered more than 17 non-financial support initiatives focused on capacity building, internationalisation, and ecosystem strengthening. These included incubator and accelerator programmes, entrepreneurship and investment literacy training, market discovery workshops, and entrepreneurship education. Startups also gained access to major European technology exhibitions, coworking spaces across Ukraine and Europe, and mentoring support.
The project was funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme.
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