In Ukraine, the Defence Builder Accelerator has been launched, an acceleration programme for defense startups aimed at quickly delivering technological solutions to the frontlines.
Mission of the accelerator:
- Create conditions for the development of the country's defense sector.
- Help teams develop technologies tailored to the needs of the Armed Forces.
- Provide access to investors.
The Defence Builder Accelerator is focused on providing mentorship support throughout the entire cycle of technological solution development for military purposes. It will assist teams in transitioning from "garage" production to technological companies.
- A four-month practical programme for Ukrainian defense developers.
- 100 hours of online lectures from mentors.
- 12 personal meetings with mentors.
- 70% practical and 30% theoretical cases.
- Introduction to over 100 investors upon team readiness.
Selection criteria for startups:
The educational programme will be completed by 15 startups in the first cohort. They are expected to develop technologies in the following areas:
- UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles);
- Ground robotic systems;
- Unmanned surface vehicles;
- EW (Electronic Warfare) and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) equipment;
- Software;
- Demining solutions;
- Cybersecurity;
- Avionics;
- Sensors.
Among the mentors of the programme are representatives from companies such as Netpeak, Skyeton, Airlogix, Finmap, Buntar Aerospace, as well as engineers and military personnel with combat experience. However, the names of some military personnel and mentors are not disclosed.
Representatives from the military community, Ukrainian defense projects such as Airlogix, Falcons, and Himera, are also involved.
Additionally, the following individuals are participating as mentors:
- Mykhailo Rogalskyi, co-founder of monobank and The Credit Thing.
- Oleksandr Solovei, co-founder of Finmap.
- Serhiy Bohoslavskyi, founder of Trible.
- Daria Yanieva, Investment Director at Sigma Software Labs.
- Kateryna Bezsdudna, co-founder and COO of Buntar Aerospace.
- Anna Znamerovska, founder and CEO of Znamy.
The Defence Builder Accelerator programme was developed with the participation of leaders from the tech ecosystem, including Genesis, the investment arm of Sigma Software Labs, and the Kyiv School of Economics.
