EU Commits €20M to Boost Ukraine’s Deeptech Startups
A new European Innovation Council program aims to bridge Ukraine’s most promising tech ventures with EU markets — offering capital, visibility, and acceleration to civilian startups tackling critical deeptech challenges.
KYIV, Ukraine — 17 July 2025
The European Innovation Council (EIC) will allocate €20 million in new funding to support Ukrainian deeptech startups and small businesses, aiming to accelerate their journey from lab-tested prototypes to commercially viable products and integrate them more deeply into the EU innovation ecosystem.
Announced this month, the initiative offers grants of up to €500,000 per company to roughly 40 Ukrainian startups and SMEs working in artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, and other high-impact civilian technologies. The goal: to help these firms move from Technology Readiness Level 4 — validated in a lab — toward TRL 6–7, where technologies are demonstrated in real-world settings and ready to attract further investment or enter market partnerships.
Applications open August 12 and close November 26. In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive access to EIC Business Acceleration Services and a fast-track pathway to the EIC Accelerator — the EU’s flagship funding instrument for scaling high-growth startups.
The initiative builds on the Seeds of Bravery project launched in 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. That earlier program focused on emergency financial aid and business support, while also forging early connections between Ukrainian startups and European innovation networks. The new round shifts toward growth and integration, with a strategic focus on commercialisation.
Startups applying must show they hold relevant intellectual property, have validated their technology in lab conditions, and can outline a path to market within two to three years. Projects must be civilian in nature, with funding eligible for activities such as business planning, regulatory preparation, market validation, and IP protection. Companies currently operating in EU or Horizon Europe-associated countries will be required to demonstrate intent to return to Ukraine when conditions permit.
A particular emphasis is placed on inclusion. Women-led companies are strongly encouraged to apply, reflecting a broader effort to diversify Ukraine’s tech sector and align with EU equity goals.
The new fund underscores Brussels’ longer-term commitment to Ukraine’s innovation-led recovery. By targeting deeptech ventures that are both technically ambitious and globally relevant, the EIC hopes to catalyze a new wave of Ukrainian tech exports, foster cross-border investment, and embed Ukraine more firmly within the continent’s competitive tech landscape.
Interested applicants can find full details on the EU Funding & Tenders portal once the call opens.
