How to get funding for “Rebuilding Ukraine” from Seeds of Bravery: funding features.

April 24, 2024 — A comprehensive Info Day dedicated to the overview of the “Rebuild Ukraine” support programme was held online within the Seeds of Bravery (UASEEDs) project. The agenda also covered available non-financial support, including matchmaking-activities, access to investors/accelerators community, Market Fast Track, Digital and Deep Tech Booster, Funding Lab, Finance Booster as well as Q&A-session.

The event brought together a diverse group of speakers, including: 

• Kateryna Degtyar — Director of the Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration program
• Maria Karpilowska — Project Manager at FundingBox.
• Carolina Ferreira da Silva — Plug and Play Tech Center Senior Partner Success Associate
• Peter Torstensen — CEO at Accelerace
• Fionnuala Wall — EU Programmes Coordinator at AxisBIC.
• Sviatoslav Sviatnenko — co-founder of Innov8, founder of Mission Possible
• Laura Fargas —  European Project Manager and Coordinator at EIT Health
• Yuliia Synchuk — Project Manager at the Ukrainian Startup Fund

Kateryna Degtyar opened the discussion with an overview of the “Rebuild Ukraine” support programme, which offers grants up to €25,000. Kateryna also described in detail the Deep Tech Acceleration Program which is led by Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration, in collaboration with YEP, Aalto University, Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park, Plug and Play, Da Vinci Labs, and Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship.

The program is open to “Rebuild Ukraine” Grant Beneficiaries with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 or higher. The 12-week program aims to develop innovative products and services that accelerate post-war reconstruction in priority areas and advance startups to higher levels of technological readiness.

Program Batches and Dates:

1st Batch: July 2024 – October 2024

2nd Batch: October 2024 – January 2025

3rd Batch: January 2025 – April 2025

4th Batch: May 2025 – July 2025

Participants are required to produce two key deliverables:

Individual Follow-up Plan (IFP) – 1st Milestone during the first month of the project.

Feasibility Study – 2nd Milestone during months 3-6 of the project.

The Selection Committee will validate payments based on deliverables’ quality (30% weight), performance indicators (60% weight), and deadline compliance (10% weight).

Maria Karpiłowska elaborated on the types of activities eligible for funding, emphasising projects with the potential to support the rebuilding of the Ukrainian economy and infrastructure post-war, as well as European dimension. 

The Rebuild Ukraine Program grant amount is determined based on the budget approved in the full proposal submitted by the applicants.

The funding covers various cost categories essential for project execution. These include personnel costs, which account for the expenses of team members who participate in upscale training and coaching sessions. Travel costs are also covered, encompassing all business travel expenses directly related to the implementation of the project. Other direct costs refer to expenses incurred for the purchase of goods, works, equipment, and services that are necessary and directly linked to the achievement of the project’s objectives.

Additionally, overhead costs are calculated at 25% of the aforementioned expenses, contributing to the indirect costs associated with the project.

The sub-grant agreement (SGA) with UASEEDs, acting on behalf of the Consortium, will be signed once your formal status is confirmed. This marks the beginning of the grant implementation process.

Following the SGA signature, the first milestone involves the validation of an Individual Follow-Up Plan (IFP). This plan, specific to each company, outlines the scope and expected outputs necessary for progressing through the program. The initial milestone (Milestone 1) must be met after the SGA is signed and following the IFP validation.

Milestone 2 is the completion of a Feasibility Study, which should be achieved by the third month but no later than the sixth month following the SGA signature. This study assesses the viability and potential impact of the proposed activities outlined in the IFP.

Evaluation of each milestone will be based on the quality of deliverables, which carries a weight of 30%, performance indicators with a weight of 60%, and deadline compliance weighted at 10%. A minimum score of 7 points is required to pass the milestone evaluation and proceed to payment.

Payment will be issued following the acceptance of the milestone results, ensuring that each company adheres to their IFP and meets the program’s stringent criteria. Companies must submit their results and can expect a decision within a minimum of two weeks from submission.

After this, Carolina Ferreira da Silva presented a Matchmaking part of non-financial support designed to connect startups with a network of stakeholders essential for growth.

Matchmaking activities will be implemented through 2 approaches. The first one is Tailored Matchmaking Journeys, which includes:

• Structured onboarding with Seeds of Bravery Lead Partner (IFP) and Matchmaking Officer
• Matchmaking interactions with stakeholders
• Onboarding into Playbook by Plug and Play 
• Connections to other Seeds of Bravery activities & events 
• Follow up and review of matchmaking activities with Matchmaking Officer

This approach facilitates strategic alliances to provide startups with opportunities that align with their specific needs and ambitions.

The second approach will be implemented through a Monthly Digest, covering general ecosystem events, partner events and other global activities available to all Seeds of Bravery participants. 

Up next, Peter Torstensen shared insights of how the Access to Investors and Accelerators community will be implemented through the Accelerace platform. Due to lack of transparency in the investment market, startups struggle to raise funds, that is why the Accelerace platform was developed. It provides tools like Investment Readiness Test and interactions with curators to help startups connect with relevant investors and accelerators, as well as provides a collection of pitch decks from successful startups to aid in raising seed funding and building a learning path for startups. Moreover, the platform allows visitors to communicate with alumni (successful founders) who share their insights and experiences.

Next part of the Info Day was dedicated Market Discovery Workshops and Market Fast-Track Programmes, introduced by Fionnuala Wall. These activities are the pivotal components aimed at equipping startups with comprehensive market intelligence and access strategies for various EU countries. 

Market Discovery Workshops will start in May and will be delivered over 3.5 hours via a virtual webinar. Registration links will be uploaded shortly on the Seeds of Bravery website with everyone welcome to attend the online events. 

The Market Fast-Track Programme is a 2-week online programme to facilitate access to EU markets, working with key players and mentors, building a go-to-market strategy. This type of non-financial support will begin in September 2024 with 20 programmes within the project.  Each programme will be divided into workshops and one-to-one sessions covering areas like: 

• value proposition development and market validation;
• market intelligence; 
• go-to market strategy;
• finance and investment.

Sviatoslav Sviatnenko presented the Digital & Deep Tech Booster, an intensive 12-week online acceleration program tailored for Ukrainian deep tech startups. The program is designed to elevate participants from the “Rebuild Ukraine” program, focusing on those with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7 to 9, to global success.

Sviatoslav explained that the program comprises various components aimed at enhancing startups’ market and investment readiness. These include:

• Refining deep tech solutions.
• Developing robust business models.
• Effective communication and pitching skills.
• Strategies for international expansion.
• Tailored support specific to Ukrainian deep tech startups.
• Comprehensive acceleration approach with sector-specific modules.

Sviatoslav Sviatnenko highlighted the Funding Lab segment of the program, which aims to provide comprehensive support in accessing financing through equity channels such as venture capital, angel investment, and private equity. The lab assists startups in preparing for and initiating direct communications with investors, providing educational support for fundraising activities.

Sviatoslav told the audience that the program also offers one-on-one tailoring to align with specific needs of each startup, covering aspects such as financial modelling, legal foundations, pitch perfection, and investor relations. The program ensures a strategic outreach phase, actively engaging with potential investors and providing a curated list of prospects to align with each startup’s goals.

In conclusion, Sviatoslav Sviatnenko’s presentation encapsulated the Digital & Deep Tech Booster as a crucial initiative for propelling Ukrainian deep tech startups into the international arena, backed by strategic training, tailored support, and significant funding opportunities.

Laura Fargas presented the Finance Booster Programme, a flagship initiative by EIT Health designed to enhance the investment readiness of startups. 

Laura explained that the Finance Booster Programme is specifically aimed at startups that have already secured initial funding and are seeking additional support to prepare for subsequent funding rounds. The program is structured around a series of four-week training sessions, offered four times over a 24-month period.

Each session of the programme follows a consistent weekly structure focusing on key aspects of fundraising and investment:

Week 1: Storytelling and Investor Attraction through webinars and workshops.

Week 2: Exit Strategy Planning and understanding Term Sheets.

Week 3: EIC Accelerator Training to help startups aiming for EIC support.

Week 4: Sector-specific modules covering areas like mobility, quantum computing, and manufacturing, tailored to the startups’ focus areas.

Laura also mentioned the experts and trainers involved in the programme, noting that many sessions will be led by EIT Health’s own team in collaboration with other consortium partners. This ensures that participants receive guidance from experienced professionals well-versed in each topic.

To watch the video recording of the Info Day #4, please follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxEZkQf7H74&list=PLA-T_HUPDJR03ZqqqfcLZ6x-EyRoNjUmi&index=4 

The initiative will continue to engage and inform participants through a series of subsequent Info Days, focusing on different facets of the Seeds of Bravery project: 

• Info Day №5: Deep Tech Scale-up and Acceleration
• Info Day №6: Seeds of Bravery delegations
• Info Day №7: Step by step: successful application for the Seeds of Bravery project
• Info Day №8: Insights from Seeds of Bravery non-financial support

Do not miss the upcoming events!

Funded by the European Union, under the European Innovation Council (EIC). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. The UASEEDs project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme under grant agreement No 101104445.