Seeds of Bravery
About seeds of bravery
Seeds of Bravery is a €20 million project funded by the European Union under the European Innovation Council (EIC) to support Ukrainian tech startups bringing them closer to the EU.
Our mission is to foster diversity, promote the deep tech industry and stimulate hundreds of UA-based innovations benefiting end-users in Europe, Ukraine and beyond, connecting corporates and governments to the benefit of SMEs and individual customers.
Seeds of Bravery (UASEEDs) is powered by a network of 17 partners and 2 associated partners, integrating Ukrainian tech innovators in European markets. We aim to strengthen Ukraine’s tech landscape, supporting local entrepreneurs for global success.
Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration @Seeds of Bravery
Vacuum Deep Tech is the Lead of the activity – Deep Tech Acceleration (DTA) supported by the Group of partners: Plug and Play, AALTO, EIT Health, YEP!, Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park, Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship, Da Vinci Labs.
Deep Tech Accelerator (DTA)
How long?
P4 – Rebuild Ukraine – 4-months
P5 – Deep tech and Scale-up Acceleration – 6-8 months
Deep Tech Accelerator (DTA) – 12 weeks
For whom?
The startups from “Rebuild Ukraine” and “Deep Tech Scale-up and Acceleration” programs (TRL 7 to 9)
A – must – program?
Both of the programs – have DTA as 1 of the 2 must programs:
“Rebuild Ukraine”:
- IFP – Individual follow-up plan
- Milestone 1 (IFP) + Milestone 2
“Deep Tech Scale-up and Acceleration”
- Milestone 1 (IFP) + Milestone 2 + Milestone 3
More programs?
Opportunity to join additional programs:
Market Fast Track, Matchmaking, Market and Legal Lab, Access to the Investors/Accelerators community, Funding Lab, Finance Booster, FEL, UA Tech Ticket
Who does DTA?
Lead: Vacuum Deep Tech Acceleration
Partners: Plug and Play, AALTO, EIT Health, YEP!, Sunrise Valley Science and Technology Park, Erasmus Centre for Entrepreneurship, Da Vinci Labs.
Who does DTA?
12-week online program (100h per startup):
- Group workshops (Zoom-in into Lean Canvas, Overview of BHAG, Growth and Financing strategy, Metrics, POC and Pilot Management, Open Innovation, IP, CVC, and – Convincing Pitch!) (40h)
- Dedicated mentor (12 weeks of 1-on-1’s) (20h)
- Homework (12 weeks) (40h)
Our start-ups
More about seeds of bravery
A European Innovation Council (EIC) – funded initiative aimed at transforming and rebuilding the Ukrainian landscape of deep-tech companies
Support Ukraine’s rebuilding by investing in the development of innovative and deep-tech companies in areas such as cybersecurity, healthcare, industry, education, agriculture, mobility and energy, robotics and AI
Opportunities to increase the presence of Ukrainian startups in the European Innovation ecosystem, targeting projects crucial to Ukraine’s reconstruction
Equity-free funding
Support in attracting new investors, networking and training, facilitating their access to international markets
Our partners
Our mentors
Andryi Zayikin
YEP! – CEO та засновник
Yuriy Petruk
Agtech Ukraine – Head of the Board
Lena Pshenichnaya
Business developer – Sport tech entrepreneur
Arjan Ymeri
Executive Director – Oficina Innovation Hub (Albania)
Can Saracoglu
Founding Partner – Seedstars URU Capital
Iurii Golovach
Core Products at Amazon – Director
Svitlana Malovana
CEO/Co-founder at Teampulse | Forbes TOP 25 women in IT
Alex Winter
Senior staff system software engineer at Mindspeed Technologies Inc
Max Beshleul
Business Development Engineer
Crystal Air
Tairovo LTD ex-Sales Executive
Sergiy Wenger
Founder Wenger Consulting, President Mindful Management Institute
Andrii Gulyi
Co-Founder. ML&AI Startups fan. ex-CEO. Venture/Investment analyst
Mirko Tadic
Venture partner at EIT Digital, formerly Managing Partner at Bridgeway Innovation, venture capitalist and accelerator, innovator
Marko Koski
CEO, top management and member of the Board of Directors. Member of the FiBAN network since 2013, regional angel
How do I get to
Deep Tech Accelerator?
Apply To either:
P4 – Rebuild Ukraine
P5 – Scale-up and Acceleration Programs
Reviews of start-ups
The practical approach of the program. Investors shared their insights on the advantages and disadvantages of the projects they consider. The networking opportunities were invaluable for enriching our experience.
1. Kateryna Deghtyar has been extremely helpful to us with her experience in accurately and promptly understanding and completing all tasks, plus she provides excellent support in preparation. 2. Networking: Thanks to the networking opportunities, we’ve made great connections with partners and investors, which helps us focus on the details needed for successful completion and attracting investment. 3. Practical advice from the program’s instructors and mentors.
Great mentors and useful content.
Convenient programme schedule.
Networking opportunities.
3 Things You Enjoyed About the Program:
1) Kateryna Deghtyar’s Knowledge and Organizational Skills: Kateryna provided invaluable insights and demonstrated exceptional organizational capabilities throughout the program, which greatly benefited our progress. 2) Viktoria Pyvovarova’s Timeliness: Viktoria’s attention to maintaining a well-structured schedule ensured that all sessions and milestones were met efficiently. 3) Timely Payment: The timely release of funds, particularly the first tranche, was crucial for us to cover software development costs and keep the project moving forward.
Funded by the European Union under the European Innovation Council (EIC), paving the way for the participation of Ukrainian start-ups in future EIC calls. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission or EIC. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. UASEEDs project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme under grant agreement № 101104445.
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