Briefly
Program description
The Startup EDGE grant program is implemented by the Ukrainian Startup Fund to support innovative startups at early stages of development. The program is carried out with the support of international partners, including the European Union, the Government of France, and Expertise France, within the EU4Innovation East initiative.
The program provides non-repayable grant funding, allowing startups to receive financial support without giving up equity and while retaining full ownership and control of their company.
The selection process is conducted through several competitive calls, held during designated application periods. Each project may receive funding only once during the program period.
The main objective of the program is to support innovative startups and strengthen Ukraine’s position as a globally competitive startup ecosystem, contributing to technological advancement and economic growth.
Main Information
Eligibility
The programme is open to:
- individual entrepreneurs (FOP) or legal entities registered in Ukraine after 2020;
- startups that conduct active business operations;
- teams with innovative technological products or solutions;
- companies focused on business growth and scaling.
Main requirements for participants:
- total amount of previously attracted investments or grants must not exceed $500,000;
- absence of tax debt and legal issues;
- no bankruptcy procedures or enforcement proceedings;
- actual business activity conducted in the territory of Ukraine;
- compliance of activities with the technological focus areas of the programme.
Financing
The program provides for two levels of funding:
- up to €20,000 — for startups in the early stages of development (pre-seed);
- up to €40,000 — for projects in the growth and scaling stages (seed).
Supported Activities
The programme focuses on technology sectors with high growth potential:
- DeepTech: artificial intelligence, robotics, IoT, cybersecurity, biotechnology, electronics, MedTech, Web 3.0, and other innovative technologies.
- GreenTech: clean technologies, energy efficiency, renewable energy, environmental solutions, and sustainable development.
- EdTech: digital education products, innovative learning tools, and education transformation technologies.
Roadmap
Grant programme roadmap includes the following key stages and timelines:
- Application submission via the online portal — the official entry point to the programme.
- Verification of the application against formal eligibility criteria.
- Independent expert evaluation of the project’s innovation level and business potential.
- Project presentation (pitch) before the selection committee for final assessment.
- Approval of results and signing of the grant agreement with selected participants.
Timeline and call structure:
- The period from application submission to the pitch stage is on average about 2.5 months.
- A total of 4 competitive calls are planned, with announcements published on the Fund’s official website.
- The application period lasts 30 calendar days from the date of the call announcement.
- The programme will run until 2027.
Applicant notification process:
- The application status is updated in the applicant’s personal account (including the ‘Pitch Day’ status).
- The Fund’s team informs selected projects approximately one week before the pitch day.
How to Apply
- Register on the portal portal.usf.com.ua.
- Fill out the electronic application form.
- Upload necessary documents and Pitch Deck.
- Click "Submit".
Evaluation Criteria
- Team (experience and qualification).
- Market and competition.
- Technology and product innovation.
- Development strategy and business model.
- Need for funding and budget validity.
FAQ
Changes to the application are allowed only if it has been returned for revision at the Compliance stage. At all other stages, changes are not permitted. If the information in your application has changed, you may submit a request to the Fund to withdraw the application and then submit a new one.
In the applicant’s account, the application status changes to ‘Pitch Day’. The Fund’s team informs projects approximately one week before the pitch date.
You may leave sections that are not relevant to the Project unfilled.
The grant is provided in a single tranche for Projects at the pre-seed and seed stages (regardless of the number of months).
Legal Terms
Key participation limitations:
- The programme includes 4 competitive calls, within which an applicant may submit no more than one application per project per sector in each call.
- Each applicant may receive only one grant throughout the entire programme.
- If an application is rejected, resubmission is allowed, but no more than three times during the programme period.
Regulatory and financial compliance criteria:
- Applicants must have no tax liabilities, salary arrears, or outstanding financial obligations.
- The applicant must not be subject to bankruptcy, liquidation, or enforcement proceedings.
- The company must be registered and operate within the territory of Ukraine under government control.
Funding conditions and implementation framework:
- Grant funding is provided in a non-equity format, meaning no ownership stake is transferred to the grant provider.
- Funding is awarded after completion of the selection process, budget approval, and signing of the grant agreement.
- Applications are accepted exclusively within officially announced competitive calls in accordance with the programme schedule.