Project description
Supporting Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem
In the aftermath of the Russian invasion, Ukrainian start-ups and deep tech SMEs confront formidable hurdles. Disrupted supply chains, economic instability and geopolitical tensions have severely impacted their operations. With the Ukrainian innovation ecosystem in distress, urgent intervention is imperative to prevent irreversible setbacks. In this context, the EIC-funded UASEEDs project aims to bolster Ukraine’s innovation ecosystem and foster its growth as a ‘start-up nation’. Through a range of support services including cascade funding, access to finance actions, incubation and acceleration programmes, and market access initiatives spanning Europe, UASEEDs targets an estimated 1 000 innovators and SMEs. This endeavour not only provides vital support but also brings Ukrainian innovation closer to global markets and stakeholders.
Objective
Based on a detailed analysis of the situation of UA Innovation Ecosystem after Russian invasion, partners (6 Ukrainian partners and 16 partners from 12 other EU member States with an extensive outreach capacity spanning across key EU and global markets) have put together a proposal aimed at providing support to counteract the harm done to Ukrainian startups and deep tech SMEs in the short term, building a framework that supports the Ukrainian Government’s goal of becoming a ‘start-up nation’, and increasing the role of innovators and the deep tech industry in driving growth. This will be achieved through a comprehensive portfolio of support services that combine cascade funding (10k-25k-50k grants), access to finance actions (connecting to public funds and private investors, training on EIC, EIT and other cascading opportunities etc.), deep-tech-focused incubation and acceleration programmes, and market access initiatives (targeting 10+ countries, soft landing in 10 key sectors/verticals, and working spaces in 50+ locations across Europe). Pan-European integration – which brings UA innovation closer to investors, accelerators, potential buyers, innovation agencies and peers - will also be a key component of this project. The Consortium is led by FBA (PL-based and leader of FSTP management) with key support from USF, Ukraine’s public agency to support SMEs, which will invest its own resources and guarantee synergies with UA. Other partners key to guarantee services delivery and wide impact are: EITH (KICs), PNP (investors), LXI (EU innovation stakeholders), CORKBIC (BIC network), IHS (Impact Hub Network), IOP (EEN in UA). Circa 1,000 innovators, start-ups and deep tech SMEs located in UA or created by Ukrainian citizens in other EU countries after 24.02.2022 will benefit from said support, with at least 400 expected to gain a mix of financial and non-financial support, and many others expected to access non-financial support while seeking other sources of funding.
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-CSA - HORIZON Coordination and Support ActionsCoordinator
02-676 WARSZAWA
Poland
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Participants (18)
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
5230 Odense
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
04107 Kyiv
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03124 KYIV
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
03680 Kyiv
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2100 Kobenhaven
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
80807 Munchen
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
80807 Munchen
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T12 DVF8 Cork
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4362 Esch Sur Alzette
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01033 KYIV
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04071 KYIV
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37380 Reugny
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
10224 Vilnius
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1300 Schwechat
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3062 PA ROTTERDAM
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03191 KIJEV
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111 44 Stockholm
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
02150 Espoo
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Partners (2)
EC1A 4HT London
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75008 Paris
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