Briefly
Status
Closed
Deadline
10 May 2026, 20:59
Max. funding
$10,000
Who can apply
Business, Communities / Municipalities, NGO\CSO
Geography
National
Program description
An educational program from the venture builder CLUST, in partnership with the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF), designed for entrepreneurs, managers, and startup teams.
Participants go through the process from idea to MVP creation, gain access to mentors, knowledge, and a partner network, as well as the opportunity to secure funding or a partnership with CLUST.
Main Information
Program Type
Grant, Training, Competition, Investment
Project Duration
up to 10 months
Economic Sectors
Innovation & Technology, Digitalization & IT, Business Development & Entrepreneurship
Submission Language
Ukrainian, English
Eligibility
Who can apply:
- The program targets entrepreneurs with an idea who lack expertise, partners, or funding.
- It is also open to individuals with prior business launch experience.
- Special focus is given to operations managers from structured businesses and C-level / senior professionals aiming to start their own ventures.
Participation format:
- The program is 80% practice-based, including teamwork in groups of up to three people.
- Participants may:
- join with their own idea or select a shared team idea;
- participate with an existing team or form a new one;
- work individually or as part of a team.
Additional requirements:
- Each team member must пройти the selection process individually.
- After the bootcamp, participants may continue developing their project regardless of the outcome.
Financing
Within the grant program, financial support is provided to the final winner.
- The team that wins the final pitch receives a cash award of $10,000.
- The funding is intended for the further development of the project.
Supported Activities
The educational grant program includes a structured set of supported activities aimed at developing entrepreneurial skills and launching a product.
Core activity areas:
- Introduction and networking: onboarding sessions and meetings with participants through multiple networking activities.
- Market analysis: research of market and competitors, application of the Jobs To Be Done framework, conducting in-depth interviews, and defining the problem.
- Strategy and MVP: selection of a business model, unit economics, building an MVP (including with AI), and preparing for pitching.
- Product launch: development of marketing channels, go-to-market strategy, product testing, and achieving Product Market Fit.
Practical component:
- The program is 80% practice-based, including teamwork and hands-on assignments.
- Participants go through the full journey — from idea to building their own MVP.
Additional opportunities:
- Gaining new skills and testing oneself as a co-founder.
- Expanding professional network through collaboration with peers.
- Opportunity to continue in a residency format for top participants.
- Continued access to learning materials and recordings after completion.
Roadmap
- Registration: applicants submit the form by May 10 (inclusive).
- Case task: from May 11 to May 15, participants complete a skills-based assignment.
- Interviews: held from May 20 to May 29 with the CLUST team.
- Selection results: announced on May 30.
- Training phase: runs from June 3 to August 5, with online sessions twice a week.
- Final pitch: on August 5, participants present their MVP and compete for a prize and potential partnership.
How to Apply
Participation requires filling out an application on the program's website.
Evaluation Criteria
The selection criteria for the educational program focus on candidates’ experience, motivation, and potential to build a business.
- The program looks for individuals with an entrepreneurial background or readiness to develop one.
- Preference is given to applicants with a new product idea or startup launch experience.
- Senior managers and product IT experts aiming to transition from employment to entrepreneurship are highly valued.
- An important criterion is the willingness to develop in partnership with a venture builder.