Grants for military-focused AI startups launched in Ukraine

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine announces the launch of the K4 Startup Studio program aimed at developing military startups using artificial intelligence.

This was reported by the Ministry of Defense.

“The goal is to create solutions capable of providing technological superiority on the battlefield. The initiative is being implemented with the support of the Federal Ministry of Defense of Germany and the Better Regulation Delivery Office (BRDO),” the statement says.

K4 is a new format of state interaction: the program brings together developers, military experts, and world-class mentors.

The Ministry of Defense has defined four key challenges that directly address the needs of the armed forces. These will serve as the primary focus areas for teams applying to the program.

However, participants are also allowed to propose their own AI-based ideas for defense applications.

The full list of challenges is available at: k4.mod.gov.ua

Participant selection will take place in several stages.

Up to ten teams will be selected for the program, and four of them will receive grants of $250,000 each for their technological solution.

Teams will be evaluated twice by a specially formed Grant Committee, which includes military experts and direct end users of the technologies on the battlefield.

Each team will first go through a 4-month intensive development program that includes mentorship from leading Ukrainian and international experts, battlefield testing of their solutions, and direct feedback from the military.

This will be followed by six months of individual support, which should culminate in securing investments and/or signing a government procurement contract.

The K4 Startup Studio model is based on best practices from global accelerators. The main advantage for startups is direct access to end users and the ability to scale their solutions into the real defense system. For investors, it offers fast-track access to technologies tested in wartime conditions.

“In Ukraine, artificial intelligence is already undergoing combat testing. We are not just adapting – we are setting trends. We have real examples of the effective use of AI in combat – that’s why we believe in this field and are involving partners to invest in Ukrainian developments. K4 is a program for those ready to turn their code into a weapon in the hands of our defenders,” said Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development, Transformation, and Digitalization.