Great news for the ecosystem. The Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF), supported by the EU4Innovation East project, has officially launched Startup EDGE — a game-changing initiative designed to fuel early-stage innovation and cement Ukraine’s position as a globally competitive startup hub.
This program, funded by the European Union and co-funded by the Government of France (implemented by Expertise France), offers a fresh wave of opportunities for brave founders ready to scale their ideas.
The Focus: Where Innovation Meets Impact
Startup EDGE is looking for visionaries in three strategic sectors that shape the future:
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Deep Tech: AI, biotech, medtech, robotics, quantum tech, IoT, cybersecurity, space tech, and Web3.
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Green Tech: Renewable energy, cleantech, and sustainable solutions reducing environmental impact.
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EdTech: Digital products transforming the educational landscape.
Funding: Fuel for Your Growth
The program provides substantial financial backing tailored to the stage of your project:
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Pre-seed Grants: Up to €20,000
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Seed Grants: Up to €40,000
“The mission of Startup EDGE is to support innovative startups at early stages and strengthen Ukraine’s position as a globally competitive startup ecosystem”.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, applicants must meet specific criteria ensuring the support goes to dedicated Ukrainian businesses:
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Entity: LLC or Sole Proprietorship registered after January 2020.
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Activity: Must conduct business and create jobs within Ukraine.
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Cap: Have not received investments, grants, or state aid exceeding $500,000.
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Restriction: Projects must not produce military or dual-use goods.
The Path to Success
The selection process is transparent and multistage:
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Compliance Check: Internal verification of rules.
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Expert Evaluation: Deep dive into your project’s potential.
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Pitching: Presentation to the Selection Committee.
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Approval: Final nod from the Supervisory Board.
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Agreement: Signing the grant deal.
The entire journey—from application to pitch—takes approximately 2.5 months.
Timeline
The program runs until 2027 and will host 4 competitive cohorts. Applications are open for 30 days following the official announcement of each wave.
Ready to level up? Apply now via the USF Portal and turn your bold ideas into reality.
Source: USF
