The Defence Builder Accelerator, an acceleration program for defense startups, has been launched in Ukraine to help bring technological solutions to the frontline as quickly as possible.
The Defence Builder Accelerator program was developed with the participation of tech ecosystem leaders, including Genesis, the investment wing of Sigma Software Labs, and the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE).
Among the program’s mentors are representatives of Netpeak Group, Skyeton, Airlogix, Finmap, Buntar Aerospace, engineers and military personnel with combat experience who understand the needs on the battlefield. The names of the military and some of the mentors are not disclosed.
The accelerator’s mission is to create conditions for the development of the country’s defense sector by training new teams. The accelerator will help them develop technologies at the request of the Defense Forces. After completing the program, developers will have access to investors.
Defence Builder Accelerator is a 4-month practical program for Ukrainian defense developers. It is aimed at providing full-cycle mentoring and creating technological solutions for military use. Among the founders of the program are Ivan Kaunov (CEO) and Kateryna Bezsudna (COO), a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It all started with the launch of Buntar Aerospace, which creates UAVs and software for planning and conducting long-range reconnaissance, where Ivan and Kateryna are co-founders. Savelii Serebrov also joined the accelerator team as a program manager.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Defense, Ukraine is currently accelerating the development of technological innovations for the battlefield. The Defense Builder Accelerator will help defense tech teams from the military expertise, investment, business, and startup community.
“Smart technologies are becoming the main factors of advantage in war. The development of the defense market will create conditions for the emergence and scaling of local defense companies. The combination of military experience, technological background and business skills is what will build a new vertical of Ukrainian defense technologies with a global focus,” says Ivan Kaunov, co-founder and CEO of Defence Builder Accelerator.
The program focuses on systematic work and self-study. As part of the innovative defense infrastructure, the Defence Builder Accelerator will help teams move from garage production to technology companies.
The accelerator will help teams to:
- Create a team management and goal setting system;
- Formalize a financial and legal structure to attract investment;
- Create a roadmap for scaling up production and improving the product;
- Gain access to investors and attract investment;
- Get quick access to testing at the testing ground;
- Get feedback from the battlefield if the technology is of a sufficient level of readiness.
Acceleration format:
- 4 months of training;
- 100 hours of online lectures from mentors;
- 12 personal meetings with mentors;
- 70% practical and 30% theoretical cases;
- intro for 100+ investors, subject to team readiness.
Startup selection criteria
The training program will be attended by 15 startups in the first intake. They should create technologies in the following areas:
- UAVS;
- Ground-based robotic systems;
- Unmanned surface vehicles;
- Electronic warfare and electronic warfare equipment;
- Software
- Demining solutions;
- Cyber security;
- Avionics;
- Sensors.
Startups with at least 2 people in the team, an MVP and feedback from the military about the product can apply.
Mentors and partners of the program
- Representatives of the military community;
- Representatives of Ukrainian defense projects Airlogix, Falcons, and Himera;
- Michael Rogalsky, co-founder of Monobank and The Credit Thing;
- Oleksandr Solovey, co-founder of Finmap;
- Sergiy Bogoslovsky, founder of Trible;
- Daria Yanieva, investment director at Sigma Software Labs;
- Kateryna Bezsudna, co-founder and COO of Buntar Aerospace;
- Anna Znamerovska, founder and CEO of znamy
- Some of the program’s mentors are anonymous.
How to participate in the program
The first admission to the program is from April 4 to April 30. To apply, fill out the form on the website.
Advice from the accelerator team: apply under any conditions. In any case, the team will have an understanding of what needs to be improved for the next pitch.
