The goal of the Startup EDGE programme is to support the development of innovative startups at early stages and strengthen the competitiveness of the Ukrainian startup ecosystem in Europe and the world.
The Startup EDGE programme will focus on:
Deep Tech: artificial intelligence and machine learning, biotechnology and life sciences, MedTech, robotics, advanced materials and manufacturing, quantum computing, IoT, cybersecurity, SpaceTech, electronics, photonics, 5G, Web 3.0 and other breakthrough technologies.
Green Tech: sustainable development, renewable energy, clean technologies, solutions for saving resources and reducing negative impact on the environment.
EdTech: digital educational solutions and technologies to transform learning and increase the accessibility of knowledge.
“Ukraine’s startup ecosystem continues to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Through the Startup EDGE programme, the European Union reaffirms its commitment to empowering early-stage innovators who are shaping the future of Ukraine and contributing to a stronger regional innovation landscape,” – stated Asier Santillan, Head of the Section on European Integration, Good Governance, Rule of Law, and Civil Society at the European Union Delegation to Ukraine.
The programme offers substantial financial support to startups through non-refundable grants designed to accelerate early-stage innovation. At the pre-seed stage, eligible startups can receive up to €20,000, while those at the seed stage may access grants of up to €40,000.
The total budget allocated for this grant program is €1,000,000, underscoring a strong commitment to fostering entrepreneurial growth and technological advancement.
“France is proud to support this initiative, which reflects our shared belief in the transformative power of innovation. By supporting Ukrainian entrepreneurs at the forefront of education, sustainability, and frontier technologies, we are investing not only in recovery, but in long-term regional stability and prosperity”, – affirmed HE Gaël Veyssière, French Ambassador to Ukraine.
Each application will go through a transparent, multi-stage evaluation process, including internal compliance checks, expert review, pitching to the competition selection committee, and final approval by the Fund’s Supervisory Board.
The Startup EDGE programme was officially presented as part of IT Arena 2025. The application process will take place through the Ukrainian Startup Fund web portal. Details via the link: https://usf.com.ua/programs/grant-support
The start date of accepting applications will be announced additionally on the pages of the Ukrainian Startup Fund and EU4Innovation East project in social networks.
“At EU4Innovation East, we see Startup EDGE as more than just a grant programme—it’s a strategic investment in Ukraine’s human capital, technological sovereignty, and regional leadership. By supporting bold ideas in DeepTech, GreenTech, and EdTech, we aim to accelerate scalable solutions that address today’s challenges and drive future growth. Through our partnership with the Ukrainian Startup Fund, we’re confident this vision will be realized”, – mentioned Julien Schmitt, Project Director of EU4Innovation East.
“The Startup EDGE grant programme from the USF with the support of EU4Innovation East is a new high-quality tool for the development of Ukrainian civil startups. This is not only financial support, but also a strategic resource for the development of the innovation ecosystem of Ukraine. A strong partnership between the USF and European colleagues, in particular, the EU4Innovation East project team, the European Union, the French Government and Expertise France, is the key to future joint effective work to strengthen Ukrainian innovations. And we at the USF are extremely grateful to our partners for launching a joint grant programme, which will allow startups to focus on innovation, not on finding funds, and will help overcome difficulties when entering the global market and strengthen the competitiveness of Ukrainian innovations in the world”, – notes Iryna Zabolotna, Deputy Director of the Innovation Development Fund.
