BraveTech EU Special Grant Program

BraveTech EU is a dedicated grant programme launched by Brave1 under Round 3 to support the development of unmanned systems components in Ukraine.

The programme focuses on technologies capable of delivering a significant impact on the battlefield and supports the development of key components for unmanned systems.

The grant programme is open to Ukrainian companies and sole proprietors (FOPs) that are legally registered in accordance with applicable legislation.

Key eligibility and participation requirements include:

• eligible applicants are Ukrainian companies and sole proprietors (FOPs) legally registered under Ukrainian law;
• applications are not accepted from state-owned or municipal enterprises;
• government authorities are not eligible to apply;
• applications must be submitted through the designated portal.

Under the BraveTech EU grant programme, projects may receive grant funding of up to EUR 33,000. Only one application may be submitted for each development, while resubmission is allowed only after the previous application has been rejected, up to two times or following further refinement.

Eligible funding may cover:

• personnel costs under gig contracts — up to UAH 120,000 per person per month, limited to 40% of the total project budget;
• materials and equipment — up to 70% of the project budget;
• services required for project implementation, including audits — up to 70% of the budget (audit costs are limited to 5% of the total budget).

Funding may not be used for:

• business travel, marketing, office rent, furniture, office equipment, fuel, vehicles, or building renovation;
• the purchase of weapons (except mock-ups or prototypes);
• expenses that have already been financed under other programmes.

The grant programme supports projects focused on the development of components for unmanned systems in Ukraine.

Supported project areas include:

• development of propellers;
• development of high-density battery packs;
• development of power electronics;
• development of frames for unmanned systems.

The programme is designed to support projects that contribute to the development of key components for unmanned platforms.

The grant programme roadmap outlines a structured application review and evaluation process leading to the final funding decision.

Key stages include:

1. Compliance review – verification that the application complies with the objectives of the grant programme and the programme regulations.
2. Where necessary, an application may be returned for revision. Applicants are given five calendar days to address the comments. If the required changes are not made within the specified period, or if the proposal has been returned for revision four times without meeting the programme requirements, it will be rejected.
3. Pitch presentation before the Supervisory Board – mandatory for grant applications requesting more than UAH 2,000,001 (up to 60 minutes).
4. The Supervisory Board makes the final decision to approve the grant, reject the application, or postpone its consideration to a later funding round.

Applicants can track the status of their application through their personal account.

Applications for the grant programme must be submitted online through the Ukrainian Startup Fund portal.

Application process:

1. Log in to the Ukrainian Startup Fund platform.
2. Select the “Brave1” section from the main menu.
3. In the Brave1 grant programme section, click “Apply”.
4. Complete all required application fields.
5. Sign the application using a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES).

To participate in the grant programme, applicants are required to submit a set of supporting documents confirming their eligibility and capacity to implement the proposed project.

The required documentation may include:

• a document confirming the applicant's place of registration or residence (for individuals);
• documents confirming the ownership structure (for legal entities);
• an official extract confirming the absence of an outstanding or unexpunged criminal record for the relevant persons;
• a letter confirming the availability of technical capacity (production facilities, equipment, or premises) required to fulfil the grant agreement;
• a letter confirming the availability of qualified employees or other specialists who will participate in project implementation, or, where applicable, a declaration that the project will be implemented without hired personnel.

The submitted documents should demonstrate the applicant's compliance with the programme requirements as well as their technical and organisational capacity to fulfil the obligations under the grant agreement.

Under the grant programme, beneficiaries are required to comply with the terms of the grant agreement and use the funding solely for its intended purpose.

Key legal and regulatory requirements include:

• the grant may be subject to repayment if the funds are used for purposes other than those approved;
• repayment may also be required if false or inaccurate information was provided in the application;
• failure to comply with the programme limits or the conditions of the grant agreement may result in the return of the grant;
• the grant may also be recoverable if supporting documentation or required reports are not provided.

The detailed rights, obligations, and implementation requirements are set out in the Brave1 Grant Programme Regulations.