Startup (business ideas) contest in the Sumy city territorial community

Who May Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• individuals — citizens of Ukraine aged 18 or older, registered within the SCTC territory and intending to start a business;
• sole proprietors and legal entities planning to implement a startup or business idea within SCTC;
• entities registered within SCTC that have submitted a startup project in accordance with the established procedure.

Ineligible Applicants

Startup projects are not eligible if applicants:

• are bankrupt, undergoing liquidation, or have outstanding tax or salary arrears;
• are credit institutions, insurance companies, investment or pension funds, or professional securities market participants;
• are non-residents of Ukraine;
• provide false or incomplete information;
• receive similar state support that has not yet expired;
• have records of unlawful receipt or misuse of budget funds;
• conduct activities related to weapons production, alcohol or tobacco manufacturing, currency exchange, real estate rental, or other activities contrary to legislation.

Business Plan Requirements

The business plan must include:

• description of the startup or business idea;
• information about the author;
• total project cost;
• product/service description;
• market and competitor analysis;
• sales forecast;
• cost calculation;
• profit forecast and payback justification;
• risk assessment;
• number of new jobs to be created.

The Commission determines and allocates funding for startup projects within the limits of the approved annual budget.

The maximum grant amount per project is UAH 100,000.

Eligible Costs

Funding may cover:

• purchase of equipment, tools, and furniture;
• purchase of raw materials and supplies (not exceeding 50% of the total grant amount);
• rental of premises;
• marketing and advertising services.

Ineligible Costs

Grant funds may not be used for:

• loan repayment;
• payment of tax debts;
• purchase of luxury items.

• Creation of new production facilities.
• Implementation of innovative technologies.
• Development of the service sector.
• Projects in the field of energy efficiency.

Submission Procedure

• Project proposals are developed independently by applicants.
• Applicants may contact the Department for additional information if needed.
• The submission period starts from the date of official publication.
• Applications must be submitted within 60 calendar days from the announcement date.
• Applications submitted earlier than 60 days from the announcement start date are not accepted.

Submission Format

Applications must be submitted:

• in paper form to: Sumy, 21 Brytanska St., Office 315 – Trade, Entrepreneurship, Industry and Consumer Protection Department, Inspection Department.

Special Provisions

• If no application meets the requirements after the submission deadline, the Competition is considered not held.
• In such a case, the Commission may decide to reannounce the Competition.

The business plan must be presented by the author or a team of no more than three persons.

Evaluation is conducted personally by members of the Competition Commission.

Each business plan is assessed using a 5-point scale (1 — lowest, 5 — highest).

The maximum total score is 35 points.

Final scores are recorded in the official minutes of the Commission meeting.

Selection Procedure

• Decisions are based on public project presentations.
• Winners are those who receive the highest total scores.
• The Commission may select one or several winners (up to three) or decide not to select any.
• Results are formalized in official minutes signed by the Chair, Secretary, and attending members.

Business Plan Evaluation Criteria

• Originality and justification of the idea.
• Clear financial and economic justification.
• Expected profit and business profitability.
• Number of jobs to be created.
• Average monthly salary level.
• Expected tax revenues to the local budget.
• Socio-economic impact for the city.

For Individuals

Applicants must submit:

• application form (Annex 1);
• copy of passport and tax identification number (or passport pages confirming refusal of tax ID registration);
• consent to personal data processing;
• business plan (Annex 3).

For Sole Proprietors and Legal Entities

Required documents include:

• application form (Annex 2);
• consent to personal data processing;
• information about the business entity (number of employees, average salary, specialization);
• certificate from the tax authority confirming absence of tax arrears;
• certified copy of the charter (for legal entities);
• business plan (Annex 3);
• information on all state aid received during the last three years (form and purpose).

Additional Provisions

• Applicants may submit additional supporting documents.
• The Competition Commission may request further clarification or documents.
• The Department accepts applications and forwards them to the Commission.
• Submitted documents are not returned.
• The Commission meeting is scheduled within 10 days after the submission deadline.

Projects must be implemented in accordance with the approved project activities.

After signing the agreement, the winner receives an advance payment of up to 50% of the grant amount.

Within 15 days after using the advance, a report with supporting documents must be submitted; the remaining amount is paid after approval.

Reporting Requirements

• The winner must maintain records and submit implementation reports.
• Reporting includes:

• • an expense report;

  • primary accounting documents.

• Accounting must comply with the Budget Code of Ukraine, the Tax Code of Ukraine, labor legislation, and accounting and financial reporting regulations.

Obligations of the Winner

• Not to terminate business activity within one year from signing the agreement without approval.
• Use funds strictly for their intended purpose.
• Not to reduce staff numbers.
• Pay all relevant taxes and fees.

Monitoring and Control

• A final financial report must be submitted within one month after project completion.
• The Department may conduct inspections and request documentation.
• In case of violations or false information, the winner must repay the full amount within 30 days.

Public Disclosure

• The business idea and project results may be publicly disclosed.
• Information may be published on the official website of the Sumy City Council and used in reporting materials.

Regulated by the Decision of the Sumy City Council No. 3995-MR dated 09.08.2023, the Laws of Ukraine "On Development and State Support of Small and Medium Enterprises in Ukraine" and "On Local Self-Government in Ukraine".