Kyiv, August 13, 2025 – The competition is officially on. YEP Accelerator has unveiled the 12 standout startups advancing to the second round of its highly anticipated PERSH1 incubation program. After a rigorous two-month sprint, these promising ventures have risen from a competitive field and now have their eyes on the grand prize: a 1 million UAH fund.
The journey to the finals was intense. The chosen 12 were selected from an initial pool of 96 teams and 248 participants. For the past two months, they have been immersed in developing their business models, perfecting their products, and gearing up for scale under the guidance of top-tier mentors.
The finalists represent a vibrant and diverse snapshot of Ukraine’s burgeoning tech scene. They are:
- Project Verba: A smart loyalty platform with AI-powered reverse vending machines that turns eco-consciousness into rewards.
- Peony: A game-changer in personal care with microplastic-free sanitary pads that simply dissolve in water.
- Briefix: An AI solution designed to automate and streamline customer interactions.
- Spotoria: A mobile app for finding and booking parking spots, complete with a real-time view of the space.
- OpenEthicCommon: A platform using gamified “driverless car dilemma” scenarios to ethically train autonomous vehicle autopilots.
- YeeDee: A service offering discounts on surplus food from restaurants, tackling food waste head-on.
- Pozichay: A secure peer-to-peer platform for renting items, complete with user verification and deposits.
- Book of Veles: An Action/RPG from Ukraine that aims to make the challenging Souls-like genre more accessible to newcomers.
- Demetra: A smart farming solution tailored for the needs of small-scale agricultural enterprises.
- Essentials: An app that delivers a personalized feed of verified news, cutting through the noise.
- Sunflower: A technology proven to boost the efficiency of solar power plants by an impressive 40%.
- Dolh Impulse: An autonomous agricultural system that stimulates plant growth while minimizing water consumption.
The first stage of the program was more than just a competition; it was a comprehensive launchpad. Participants received over 80 hours of training on the Babele platform, engaged in nine intensive mentor sessions, and gained exclusive access to Q&A workshops with seasoned founders, investors, and experts. The impressive speaker lineup included Jane Davidnyuk (OpsLab), Walid O. El Cheikh (Pitching for Life), Kateryna Dovhal (Genesis Education), and Anna Motrych (Ukrainian Startup Fund), among others.
Beyond the classroom, PERSH1 provided invaluable international exposure. Participants journeyed to The Next Web in Amsterdam, attended the Young Entrepreneurs Summer School in Tallinn, and had the chance to win tickets to TechBBQ in Copenhagen, connecting them directly with the global tech ecosystem.
The PERSH1 incubation program is a key initiative by YEP Accelerator, implemented with the vital support of UMAEF’s u.ventures, which champions transformative projects and reforms in Ukraine. As these 12 startups prepare for the final challenge, the tech community watches with anticipation, ready to celebrate the next wave of Ukrainian innovation.
