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Ukraine Launches New EU-Backed Program to Boost Defense Tech and Support Startups
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The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine has announced a new program aimed at accelerating the development of Ukrainian defense technologies. The initiative is implemented by the Brave1 defense tech cluster and the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO), with the support of the European Union.
The primary focus of the program is to support Ukrainian startups developing effective frontline solutions, simplify defense procurement processes, and expand international cooperation in the defense tech sector.
Official Announcement at Defense Tech Valley
The program was officially presented during Defense Tech Valley — the largest international defense innovation summit, which brought together over 5,000 participants from more than 50 countries.
A high-level panel titled «New Opportunities for the Defense Tech Ecosystem» took place during the event, moderated by Valeriya Ionan, Advisor to the First Deputy Prime Minister — Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine on Innovations, Digitalisation and Global Partnerships.
Key message:
Winning the most high-tech war in modern history requires global cooperation — in co-development, testing, and scaling breakthrough technologies
Panel speakers included:
- Peter Hauge Berg, Deputy Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine
- Oleksii Dorogan, CEO, BRDO
- Martin Jõesaar, Program Director, EU Defence Innovation Office in Kyiv
- Anders Gjermstad, Deputy Defence Attaché, Norwegian Ministry of Defence
- Glenn McCartan, DIU Representative at U.S. European Command
- Sven Weizenegger, Head of Cyber Innovation Hub, Germany
Key components of the program:
- Fast-track grants for Ukrainian defense tech startups
- Support for Brave1 activities and ecosystem expansion
- Regulatory assistance to simplify defense procurement
- The opening of Brave1 Exporoom — a space for showcasing, testing, and international collaboration
Ukraine as a Global Testing Ground for Military Innovation
Since the beginning of russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has become the world’s largest testing ground for defense technologies. Through the Brave1 platform, companies from the EU and the U.S. have a unique opportunity to test their solutions in real combat scenarios and receive battlefield-validated feedback — something no laboratory or simulation can replicate.
To fully unlock this potential, we must scale up concrete cooperation projects between Ukraine, the EU, and the U.S.
More details about the program will be announced at a joint event with the EU Delegation to Ukraine in early October.
Ukraine continues to develop the technologies that are changing the course of modern warfare — and shaping the future of global security.
