NES Start In Startup Series: Starting A Startup In University

Learn more about NEXUS 2025: https://www.nexusluxembourg.com/

Luxembourg is a small country with a powerful innovation ecosystem. Despite its compact size, Luxembourg is actively shaping its image as one of Europe's most promising tech hubs. 

• Ranked among the world’s top 40 startup ecosystems by StartupBlink — a testament to its high-quality innovation infrastructure, openness to investment, and strong support for entrepreneurship. 
• 500+ active startups are working across fintech, cybersecurity, biotech, green energy, and other future-focused industries. 
• 250+ venture capital investors — an impressive number for a country with a population of under 700,000. 
• 15+ incubators and accelerators supporting companies at every stage — from idea to scale-up. These offer mentorship, consulting, networking, access to international markets, and funding. Robust government support programs — grants, low-interest loans, tax incentives, and direct investment in innovative projects.

As part of participation in Nexus, the delegation organizers will provide: 

• Conference tickets for startup representatives; 
• A dedicated stand in the exhibition area; 
• Invitations to side visits for exploring the local ecosystem.

Partial travel cost coverage is possible (details will be provided after the final participant selection).

Startups meeting the following criteria are invited to apply: 

• Industries: artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, space, fintech, robotics; 
• Have traction, customers, and raised investments; 
• Have a developed working prototype (for hardware startups);
• Are registered and operate in Ukraine and position themselves as Ukrainian.

In addition, some selected startups may be invited to participate as speakers in panel discussions and matchmaking events with representatives of the Luxembourg and European ecosystems.

Selection stages:

1. Application submission.
2. Eligibility check.
3. Final selection by organizers and invitation to join the Ukrainian delegation at NEXUS 2025.

Application deadline: May 4, 2025

Contacts for partners and additional information: [email protected]

Application and pitch language: English. The application form is available in your personal account on the Ukrainian Startup Fund portal, under the "Partner Programs" section.

The Ukrainian delegation is organized by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Startup Fund, the Luxembourg-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce, Luxinnovation, and Seeds of Bravery.

After participating in the tech mission, delegates must be ready to submit a report on the outcomes of their participation, including preliminary agreements on investment, partnerships, and customer engagement, as well as share progress and results over a defined follow-up period.

Learn more about The Next Web: https://thenextweb.com/conference

What will selected participants receive?

• TNW 2025 tickets for your team
• A dedicated booth at the conference (for 1 day)
• Access to an international networking platform to connect with potential partners and clients
• Participation in official meetings and side activities of the Ukrainian delegation

We are looking for 8 startups and scaleups that meet the following criteria:

👉 Scaleups

• Funding: have raised external funding from Series A to Series C (i.e., after the first significant VC round);
• Founded: between 2014–2021;
• Team size: up to 200 employees;
• Product: development of a unique software or hardware solution;
• Positioning: identify as a Ukrainian scaleup.

👉 Startups

• Funding: bootstrapped or at the pre-seed / seed stage (up to Series A), with total raised funding not exceeding €1 million;
• Founded: between 2018–2024;
• Team size: up to 100 employees;
• Product: development of an innovative software or hardware solution;
• Positioning: identify as a Ukrainian startup.

Selection process:

1. Fill out the application form.
2. Eligibility review.
3. Online Pitch Day — pitching to a jury of Ukrainian and international experts.
4. Final selection and invitation to join the Ukrainian delegation at TNW Conference.

Application deadline: April 30, 23:59 (Kyiv time)

Contacts for partnerships and more info: [email protected]

Application and pitch language: English. The application form is available in your personal account on the Ukrainian Startup Fund’s portal, under the "Partner Programs" section.

The participation of the Ukrainian delegation is organized by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Startup Fund, YEP Accelerator, Plug and Play, and Seeds of Bravery.

After participating in the tech mission, selected startups must be ready to submit a report outlining their results — including preliminary agreements on investments, partnerships, and client acquisition — and provide an update on outcomes and progress within a specified timeframe.