An Extreme Bootcamp for defense-tech startups will take place in Ukraine, with the winner receiving €500,000

In Ukraine, a five-day Extreme Bootcamp program for defense technology startups will be organized. The top 3 teams will share an investment pool €1 million, with the winner receiving €0.5 million alone.

Applications will be accepted until June 7 through this link. According to the website of the project organizers, Darkstar, they are looking for ten teams that already have combat-tested products on the Ukrainian front or will have them there within six months.

"We will help these teams grow, scale, and accelerate their progress," the organizers state.

The application form asks for more information about the startup and how the programme can specifically benefit it. The organizers note that during the bootcamp, teams will work alongside some of Europe's top unicorn founders.

Darkstar is a coalition of over 20 unicorn founders, hackers, and investors from Estonia, Ukraine, Germany, France and UK. 

The co-organizer of the bootcamp is Estonian entrepreneur Ragnar Sass. He told DOU that all partners share common values and assured that they have not involved Russian capital and are helping the Ukrainian army.

"It was very easy for us to get agreement from Estonian entrepreneurs because Russians are jamming GPS signals in Estonia. For us, defeating them is also a matter of national security," he said.

They are seeking not only Ukrainian startups but also European ones that could collaborate with Ukrainians and be useful on the battlefield. Additionally, Ukrainian companies may get help in opening a representative office in Estonia.

The priority is on anything related to electronics and software that can be easily scaled. According to Sass, it's not necessary to have a product already in production; demonstration versions are also acceptable.