Grant from Kharkiv IT Cluster for business digitalization in the Kharkiv region

The Digital Booster4SME grant program is aimed at supporting the digitalization of small and medium-sized businesses in the Kharkiv region. The project is implemented by the Kharkiv IT Cluster within the BLOOM program, with financial support from the UK Government (through UK aid) and assistance from the Ministries of Economy and Culture of Ukraine.

The objective of the grant is to help entrepreneurs optimize business processes through the implementation of modern technological solutions by engaging Ukrainian IT integrators. The program provides participants with a financial voucher of up to 35,000 UAH, as well as expert support ranging from problem identification to technology launch. The provided funds can be used for implementing CRM systems to improve sales, automating internal processes (ERP, accounting, warehouse management), and replacing Russian software with modern Ukrainian alternatives.

• Officially registered small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the Kharkiv region.
• Presence of a clearly defined problem or business process requiring automation or improvement (e.g., sales management, warehouse management, implementation of CRM/ERP systems).
• A justified need to abandon the use of Russian software and replace it with secure Ukrainian alternatives.
• Willingness and readiness of the enterprise to collaborate with program experts to analyze business needs, and to engage Ukrainian IT integrators for the direct setup of technologies.

• The maximum amount of financial support is up to 35,000 UAH in the form of a voucher.
• Co-financing from the enterprise is not required; the voucher fully covers the cost of services within the established limit.

Eligible expenses:

• payment for the services of Ukrainian IT companies and integrators for the implementation of CRM and ERP systems, solutions for accounting, warehouse management, automation of workflows, as well as the replacement of Russian software with Ukrainian alternatives.

Ineligible expenses:

• purchasing software without a previously defined specific business task, or using funds for unrelated operational expenses of the enterprise.

• Implementation of digital tools to improve customer relations and increase sales (e.g., CRM system integration).
• Automation of the enterprise's internal operational processes to reduce manual work and optimize team time (implementation of ERP systems, accounting solutions, warehouse management, etc.).
• Data migration and transition from Russian software to modern and secure Ukrainian digital products.
• Collaboration with program experts: from auditing current processes and selecting the optimal IT solution to finding a reliable technology partner for its launch.

1. Submission of an application for the first wave of the program (selection of 150 enterprises in the Kharkiv region is planned).
2. Analysis of internal business processes jointly with experts to define tasks requiring automation.
3. Selection of an appropriate digital solution and search for a technology partner (Ukrainian IT integrator).
4. Provision of a voucher worth up to 35,000 UAH to the enterprise.
5. Direct integration and launch of the technological solution into the enterprise's workflow.

1. Submit the online registration application form on the official page of the Digital Booster4SME program by clicking the "Submit application for entrepreneurs" button.
2. Provide up-to-date information about your company, confirming your status as a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and your operations in the Kharkiv region.
3. Briefly describe your business need: specify which exact process you want to automate (e.g., sales, accounting, communication) or which Russian software you plan to replace.
4. Wait for the selection results from the organizers (150 enterprises will be selected in the first wave).
5. Upon successfully passing the selection process, begin working with program experts to conduct a detailed analysis of your processes, select a technological solution, choose an IT partner, and receive the implementation voucher.

• The financial voucher (up to 35,000 UAH) must be used exclusively for its intended purpose — paying for the services of a Ukrainian technology company or IT integrator implementing the solution.
• Mandatory submission of supporting documents (contracts, invoices, certificates of completion/services rendered) confirming the integration of the digital product into the enterprise's operations.
• Compliance with general transparency rules, anti-corruption requirements, and the policies of the BLOOM consortium and the program donor (UK Government via UK aid).
• Readiness of the enterprise to provide the organizers (Kharkiv IT Cluster) with feedback on the success of the integration and the actual impact of the new software on business efficiency upon project completion.

• By submitting an application, the applicant consents to the organizers processing and storing personal data and provided commercial information for the purpose of evaluating the application and implementing the project.
• Funding is provided exclusively in the form of a targeted voucher and cannot be used to cover any other operational or administrative expenses of the enterprise not related to the implementation of the agreed IT solution.
• Program participants commit to complying with transparency policies, anti-corruption requirements, and ethical behavior rules established by the organizers, the BLOOM consortium, and the donor (the UK Government via UK aid).
• The direct implementation of the digital product is regulated by an official service provision agreement concluded between the participating enterprise and the selected Ukrainian IT company (integrator).
• The organizers (Kharkiv IT Cluster) and partners reserve the right to monitor the targeted use of the voucher, and the participant is obliged to provide relevant reporting and financial documentation upon their request.