- Direction:
- Tech
Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF)
The Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF) is a state-backed institution supporting early-stage tech startups and innovative solutions in Ukraine. The Fund is part of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine.
By providing non-equity grants, facilitating global exposure, and connecting founders with corporate and international partners, USF plays a central role in shaping Ukraine’s startup ecosystem and boosting its visibility on the global innovation map.
grants awarded totalling $9+ million
450+
in external investments raised by USF-backed startups
$50,9+million
experts from 20+ industries involved pro bono in evaluating and supporting startups
220+
startups supported in joining 50+ international tech conferences
550+
Key achievements:
- Recognized by the OECD (2024) as one of Ukraine’s most successful reforms in 2020–2024, helping Ukraine rank #1 reformer among Eastern Partnership countries
- In November 2024, Ukraine joined the European Startup Nations Alliance (ESNA) and ranked 4th in the implementation of the Startup Nations Standards, receiving a full score for the «Access to Finance» standard. USF programs were recognized as a best practice among ESNA member countries
- USF alumni include globally recognized startups: Esper Bionics, Awesomic, Upswot, Finmap, SLab, and others
- Members of international alliances worldwide: ENFA, TAFTIE
- Within the Seeds of Bravery consortium, 266 startups were funded with over €10 million in support
- Launched the 100 Million Learners program free of charge for Ukrainians in partnership with Arizona State University
- USF-backed startups received awards at leading global events as part of international tech missions, including: Beholder winning a €600,000 prize at Latitude59, Esper Bionics, Pickpad, Optysun, Knopka receiving the CES Best of Innovation Award, Bliss Brain ranking in the top 10 at Web Summit, and CrossCheck winning at the AI Summit New York
Strategic initiatives:
- Ongoing grant programs for pre-seed and seed-stage startups across 19 industries: IT consulting, cybersecurity, blockchain, AI, GovTech, EdTech, GreenTech, MedTech, robotics, and more.
- Implementation of international consortia (e.g. Seeds of Bravery, WIN2EDIH, Wennovate)
- Startup tech missions to global innovation events (Web Summit, CES, VivaTech, TechCrunch, etc.)
- Corporate innovation programs connecting startups with leaders like Nova, Uklon, and Glovo
- Educational partnerships and startup school development with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
- Workshops, ecosystem events, and innovation policy development