20.12.2024

Sowing Bravery, Harvesting Success: Seeds of Bravery First-Year results

Sowing Bravery, Harvesting Success: Seeds of Bravery First-Year results - Seeds Of Bravery

What is Seeds of Bravery?

Seeds of Bravery is a €20 million project funded by the European Union under the European Innovation Council (EIC) to support Ukrainian tech startups, bringing them closer to the EU. Seeds of Bravery (UASEEDs) is powered by a network of 17 partners and 2 associated partners, integrating Ukrainian tech innovators in European markets.

The mission of the project is to promote the deep tech industry and stimulate hundreds of UA-based innovations benefiting end-users in Europe, Ukraine and beyond, connecting corporations and governments to the benefit of SMEs and individual customers.

SMEs (including startups and sale-ups) can apply for five support programmes through Seeds of Bravery, with the opportunity to receive from 10 to 50 thousand euros.

Changing Ukraine’s Startup Ecosystem One Seed at a Time, so far 139 times! 

Since its launch on December 20, 2023, the Seeds of Bravery project has proven to be a powerful catalyst for innovation. Over 980 proposals were received, with 139 grants distributed to over 110 companies, successfully securing funding amounting to over €3.6 million.

The initiative has attracted a highly diverse pool of applicants, reflecting its broad appeal and relevance. While the majority of proposals originated from innovative companies based in Ukraine, submissions also poured in from countries such as Poland, the UK, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Estonia, and others, showcasing an impressive international reach.

Applications predominantly came from innovative companies operating in deep tech, infrastructure, education and science, healthcare/life sciences, and agri-food technologies. These sectors align closely with the project’s original focus, demonstrating that the initiative is resonating with the priorities and needs of the startup community.

Through the Seeds of Bravery project, innovative companies have the opportunity to secure up to €60,000 in funding across five programmes. To date, 14 startups have successfully utilized this opportunity, securing the full funding amount available. The project has provided funding to an impressive array of innovative startups, including Haiqu, Beholder, S.Lab, OptySun, V-Art, Anima, CareTech Human, PLATMA, Hydratico, GIOS, Cardio.AI, Nasnaga, Metaenga, and numerous others.

By offering tailored financial and non-financial support, Seeds of Bravery continues to enable startups to scale, innovate, and achieve meaningful impact in local and global markets.

Highlighting Success: Non-Financial Support Driving Innovation Under UASEEDs

In addition to its financial grants, the project extends a robust suite of 17 non-financial support activities. These initiatives are designed to benefit both grant recipients and other interested stakeholders, providing valuable resources to drive success and foster innovation. Over the past year, each programme has made significant strides in delivering measurable outcomes. Below is a summary of the achievements and impact generated by these non-financial support initiatives.

Deep Tech Incubators Programme

Powered by YEP, this 12-week incubation scheme accelerates the development of cutting-edge technologies, supported by global partners like Aalto University, Vacuum Deep Tech Accelerator, and Plug and Play. Through expert mentorship and robust resources, startups are empowered to innovate.

  • 7 startups have successfully completed the programme.
  • 10 startups are currently engaged in the incubation process, gaining valuable insights to refine their solutions.

Deep Tech Accelerator Programme

Powered by Vacuum Deep Tech Accelerator, this 12-week accelerator focuses on identifying, nurturing, and commercializing science-based innovations.

  • 19 startups completed the programme in its first year, including 14 graduates from its inaugural edition.
  • Platma, alongside other 18 startups, completed the programme this year and thus was able to secure a $2M investment round from investors across Estonia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan. Among other graduates of the programme Beholder expanded sales in Central Asia and Africa. Djooky and Nasnaga broadened their presence in EU markets.

Digital and Deep Tech Booster Programme

Implemented by Innov8, designed to support startups from ideation to market success, this acceleration framework has delivered tangible results.

  • 14 startups completed the programme, showcasing their progress during Demo Day.
  • 9 startups are currently participating, further advancing their fundraising readiness.

Summer School on Entrepreneurship

Hosted by Aalto University, this two-week programme (August 19–30, 2024) supported early-stage founders with a focus on sustainability, media strategy, and VC models.

  • 46 participants from 23 companies attended.
  • Featured: 28 expert talks, 14 lectures, and workshops on ideation, lean canvas, and pitch deck feedback.
  • Active community-building ensured long-term networking.

Science2Business Programme

Conducted by INNOV8, this six-week initiative (October–November 2024) focused on research commercialization. Engaged 49 teams and 71 participants, combining mentorship and practical guidance to bridge the gap between research and business.

UA Tech Tickets 

Under this initiative:

  • UA innovative companies utilized 220+ free tickets to attend 14 major tech exhibitions across Europe, including Latitude59, LTW, Tech Chill, Web Summit, and Viva Tech.
  • 16 coworking spaces in Ukraine and Europe provided free access, fostering innovation and strengthening their presence in tech ecosystems.

Market Discovery Workshops

Delivered by AxisBIC, these workshops covered 19 countries and featured over 100 speakers from industry, academia, and investment sectors. 12 workshops were held, attended by 790 participants, with 50% being startups. Recordings are accessible on the Seeds of Bravery YouTube channel.

Market Fast-Track Programmes

Between September and December 2024, six programmes across eight countries helped 45 startups develop go-to-market strategies through workshops and personalized mentoring. The next round launches in February 2025.

Industry-Specific Soft-Landing Workshops

3 workshops on Space Technology, Energy & Climate, and IoT attracted 233 registrations in October and November 2024. Topics included EU regulatory frameworks and funding opportunities. Seven additional workshops are scheduled for 2025.

Funding Lab Programme

Exceeding expectations, this programme supported 7 high-potential startups, surpassing its planned capacity of five participants. Delivered 13 sessions on fundraising fundamentals, data room preparation, and investor relations. One startup secured a $100,000 investment commitment.

Female Entrepreneurship Leadership programme

The FEL Programme, having received 44 mentor applications from around the world, successfully launched its first cohort by selecting 16 Ukrainian female founders and executives. Building on this momentum, a second cohort of another 16 accomplished women is now participating in the programme.

FEL goes beyond skill development in leadership and business. It also seeks to reinforce the pivotal role of women in fueling innovation, thus contributing significantly to Ukraine’s economic recovery and advancing its influence on the global stage.

Finance Booster Programme

This initiative engaged 13 Ukrainian startups, providing certificates of readiness for investor engagement. Strong attendance was supported by consortium partners and external experts.

Investor Literacy Programme for Business Angels

This online programme (September–November 2024) attracted 230 registrations and 163 participants, delivering three workshops on angel investing, syndicates, and portfolio management.

Demo Days 

Plug and Play and its partners hosted seven Demo Days, showcasing 13 startups per event to nearly 300 attendees. These events fostered connections between Ukrainian startups and European investors, driving ecosystem growth.

Market & Legal Lab: Intellectual Property Webinar

On November 25, 2024, 16 participants attended this webinar to learn about protecting patents, trademarks, and trade secrets, equipping them with strategies to safeguard innovations in competitive markets.

Pitch Training Programme

Two cohorts supported 18 startups, combining interactive workshops and personalized coaching to prepare founders for investor engagement. 

Proposal Writing Bootcamp 

The inaugural engaged 15 startups, supported by five consortium partners, including INNOV8 and Luxinnovation. Highlights include:

  • Eight startups applied to the EIC Accelerator, with three resubmissions at Step 2.
  • 15 startups planned EIC Step 1 applications, while 11 applied to Women TechEU and two each to Pathfinder and Transition.

Showcasing Success: Alumni Achievements and Beneficiary Highlights

The accomplishments of our project beneficiaries continue to inspire and demonstrate the transformative potential of innovative companies. Here, we highlight some outstanding success stories that make us proud to support these visionary entrepreneurs.

At the prestigious Latitude59 conference in Tallinn, Estonia, Ukrainian startup Beholder emerged as a standout. The company not only secured the grand prize but also attracted a remarkable €600,000 in investment through startup pitching sessions. Moreover, Beholder gained access to additional investment commitments totaling €1.5 million. This impressive achievement was facilitated by their participation in the UA Tech Ticket programme, which enabled their presence at this influential event.

Meanwhile, HealthTech startup CheckEye has made history as the first Ukrainian company to win the EIT Health InnoStars Awards 2024. This pan-European recognition underscores the groundbreaking work being done by CheckEye in the realm of healthcare technology, marking a significant milestone for Ukraine’s presence in the European startup ecosystem. 

These inspiring achievements are a testament to the talent, determination, and global competitiveness of Ukrainian startups. As they continue to make their mark, they exemplify the transformative impact of strategic support and visionary entrepreneurship.

UASEEDs remarkable milestones—more than 980 proposals submitted, €3.6 million disbursed, and a robust ecosystem of mentors, partners, and experts—are only the beginning. The project’s efforts have not only fueled technological progress but also strengthened Ukraine’s role as an integral player in the European innovation landscape.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, UASEEDs will continue expanding its initiatives, with plans for new cohorts, workshops, and programs designed to empower startups, foster collaboration, and drive impactful innovation. By leveraging its established foundation and the unwavering commitment of its partners, UASEEDs is poised to achieve even greater success, ensuring that Ukrainian tech startups continue to grow, inspire, and lead on the global stage.

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. UASEEDs project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme under grant agreement No 101104445.

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