“Ukrainian startups are strong and competitive even during the war. The task of the USF now is to support their viability in these difficult times, development and growth,” Head of the USF’s Innovative Vouchers Program
On August 3, UNIT.City hosted the business conference “Entrepreneurship Development in the War and Post-War Period”, the main topic of which was the discussion of chances for the development of Ukrainian business in this difficult period.
The Conference was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ukrainian Startup Fund, Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development, Entrepreneurship Development Fund, Association “Ukrainian Logistics Alliance”, Oschadbank and others.
The participants of the event discussed the current problems of Ukrainian business during the war and presented new tools, programs and initiatives that will help preserve and develop business, jobs and support the economy of Ukraine.
In particular, Yana Paladiyeva, Head of the Innovative Vouchers program of the Ukrainian Startup Fund, talked about new opportunities for startups from the USF.
New initiatives of the Fund:
– online survey “The country at war: The voice of Ukrainian Start-ups”;
– platform for helping Ukrainian startups “SAVEUASTARTUPS”;
– organization of free mentoring sessions from USF experts;
– regular holding of interesting and useful events for innovators (online lectures, workshops, Q&A sessions, hackathons, bootcamps, etc.);
– providing opportunities for Ukrainian startups to participate in the world’s largest technological events – South by Southwest (SXSW) in the USA, Viva Technology in France, Collision 2022 in Canada, Startup Grind Global 2022 in Silicon Valley, TechBBQ 2022 in Denmark, Web Summit in Portugal, CES in the USA, etc.;
– grant support program for dual-use projects to increase the country’s defense capabilities and post-war reconstruction;
– grant support under the “e-Robota” state program;
– collaboration with startup upSWOT – charity project “Investors for Ukrainian peace and Ukrainian startups” and other initiatives.
“2020-2021 were very successful for the Ukrainian startup segment. Even the coronavirus pandemic did not prevent the development of the Ukrainian startup market. This year, of course, the war made life difficult for Ukrainian startups and slowed down the development of the industry. The task of the USF now is to support their viability in these difficult times, development and growth. We are confident in the prospects of the Ukrainian startup market. After all, Ukrainian startups are strong and competitive even during the war,” Yana Paladiyeva said.
