In the high-stakes world of European tech, the gap between a local success story and a global scale-up is often a matter of institutional support and international mentorship. As the Ukrainian tech ecosystem continues to prove its resilience, the bridge to global markets is becoming more vital than ever.
Next week, on April 28, the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF) and the international tech giant Glovo will host the Glovo Startup Lab 4.0 Demo Day. This event marks the culmination of their fourth joint initiative, designed to identify and propel Ukrainian founders capable of competing on the world stage.
Beyond the Pitch: Building Global Partnerships
The Demo Day is not merely a competition; it is a strategic convergence of founders, VCs, and corporate innovators. While the primary focus remains on the high-intensity pitching session where finalists will present their solutions to an expert jury, the event serves as a critical networking hub for the broader ecosystem.
The agenda features a high-value feedback loop from the victors of the previous cohort. Winners of Glovo Startup Lab 3.0 will take the stage to share insights from their internship at Glovo’s headquarters in Barcelona, offering a rare glimpse into the operational mechanics of a European “unicorn”.
The Barcelona Connection: What’s at Stake?
The incentives for participating startups extend beyond symbolic recognition, offering tangible levers for growth and cloud infrastructure:
1st Place: A $5,000 cash prize plus admission to the Glovo Tech Campus – an intensive internship program at Glovo’s HQ in Barcelona.
2nd Place: A $5,000 cash prize to support further product development.
3rd Place: Nomination for Microsoft Azure credits to facilitate technical scaling.
Fireside Insights with Sacha Michaud
A centerpiece of the afternoon will be an appearance by Sacha Michaud, the co-founder of Glovo and a seasoned entrepreneur and investor. Michaud will participate in a dedicated Q&A session, providing attendees with direct access to the mindset of a founder who successfully scaled a delivery startup into a global multi-category platform.
Event Logistics
The event is hosted at Kooperativ, one of Kyiv’s premier innovation hubs, and is open to the wider tech community, including investors and corporate representatives looking for new partnerships.
Date: April 28, 2026
Time: 14:30 (Registration begins)
Location: Kooperativ (23A Sichovykh Striltsiv St, Kyiv)
Registration: Apply here via Luma
Glovo Startup Lab 4.0 is a cornerstone of the broader Glovo Power Up initiative. By focusing on sustainable business models and international market entry, the program continues to solidify Ukraine’s position as a robust talent exporter and a fertile ground for global-ready innovation.
As the jury prepares to crown the next winner, the question remains: which of these finalists will be the next to successfully bridge the gap between Kyiv and the global tech stage?
TechUkraine Media Note: The Demo Day is organized by the Ukrainian Startup Fund and Glovo, with Kooperativ serving as the official location partner.
