Seeds of Bravery: the first 14 startups selected

This initiative by the European Commission, through its European Innovation Council (EIC), involves implementing a €20 million support plan for the Ukrainian innovation community. 

Luxinnovation is one of the members of the consortium, which comprises 19 organisations and startup associations (including 6 Ukrainian partners and 13 from other European countries) across 12 countries. 

 Supporting the Ukrainian startup ecosystem contribute to the implementation of a resilient economic future. Inna Perepelytsya (Luxinnovation)

The national innovation agency is notably leading one of the seven work packages, focused on integrating Ukrainian startups, particularly deep tech, as well as innovators, entrepreneurs and tech workers in Europe, and providing matchmaking services for deep tech communities. This is perfectly aligned with the agency’s strategy to promote Luxembourg’s economic and innovation “know-how” nationally and internationally”.

The 14 selected startups will each receive up to €10,000 and also non-financial support. The funding will help them develop a comprehensive business model that will serve as their roadmap and design a growth strategy with clear objectives and milestones.

Applications open until 25 June 2024

“Supporting the Ukrainian startup ecosystem is essential, not only to foster innovation but also to contribute to the implementation of a resilient economic future,” explains Inna Perepelytsya, Senior Advisor for Startup Acceleration at Luxinnovation, in charge of this project within the agency. “Through Seeds of Bravery, Luxinnovation makes a major contribution to this cause, which both supports the economy in Ukraine and brings real added value to the entire European startup ecosystem.”

Four grant programmes are still open until 25 June 2024. Three of them offer a maximum individual aid of €25,000 (on the themes of Entrepreneurship, Deep tech incubation and Rebuilding Ukraine). For the fourth programme, Deep tech scaleup, the individual aid can reach €50,000.

To apply, a company must have been registered in Ukraine (or transferred from Ukraine to one of the EU Member States) after 24 February 2024 and have at least one founder, co-founder or senior executive (CEO, CTO, COO, or equivalent key position) holding Ukrainian nationality.

Rendez-vous at Nexus 2050

“Luxembourg-based companies that are eligible can of course submit a project proposal and contact us for guidance in their application process,” says Olena Malchyk, EIC Project Manager at Luxinnovation.

It should be noted that Ukraine will be the guest country at the first edition of the major tech event Nexus2050, which will take place in Luxembourg on 26 and 27 June 2024. In association with the Luxembourg-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (LUCC), a comprehensive programme will be deployed, including three round tables, keynotes and a selection of 20 Ukrainian startups focused on cybersecurity, fintech, space and telecommunications. 

“Following successful collaboration during the Second Luxembourg-Ukraine Business Forum ’Rapid Recovery of Ukraine last May, we are thrilled to continue cooperation with Luxinnovation within the Seeds of Bravery project,” explains Evgenia Paliy, President of LUCC.

The first 14 grantees under the Business Consultancy support programme of the Seeds of Bravery project are:

• Bank of Memories – it is a Saas platform for important memories and documents working on blockchain.
• BeesAgainstMines – development of AI-powered technologies and robotic systems for contactless cleaning of contaminated land from dangerous objects.
• Better Time Stories –innovative platform blending storytelling with technology to enhance learning and cultural connection for children in Europe.
• Briller.House creates a network of production hubs for fast delivery of beautiful, modern, comfortable and carbon-negative buildings.
• Development of   Caretech's  business plan to foster company's growth – it is a Ukrainian healthtech start-up developing a solution for in-home remote patient monitoring (RPM) with the goal of fundamentally changing the way people manage their health.
• Enhancement of Haiqu’s business plan to facilitate the company’s development – provide cooperation with the business consultants to improve the company's business processes and develop a comprehensive business plan which will become a roadmap for the next 2 years.
• GIOS Math Platform – is an interactive AI-powered Math platform and tutoring marketplace for К12 students and teachers.
• LEZO is an AI-powered career platform that connects candidates and employers through skills-first approach.
• Mantis Analytics – an AI-driven platform that conducts info-space listening in real-time and provides organizations with reliable and actionable data for both physical and informational risk management.
• Metaenga — XR Training Platform is designed for industrial enterprises and educational institutions to empower global workforce development and workplace safety in energy sectors.
• OptySun is a sustainable, technologically advanced, portable water purification system, utilizing solar powered, high efficiency filtration to provide clean drinking water.
• Paxhelper is a support system for civil aviation authorities, customer centers optimizing operations and enabling informed decisions in dynamic aviation environments.
• Progalit – Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) – automation of   treatment and  prevention of  kidney stone   disease.
• V-Art is B2B SaaS tech to automate IP licensing for brands, creators and AI tools.

Seeds of Bravery is funded by the European Union, under the European Innovation Council (EIC). 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. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them. The UASEEDs project has received funding from the Horizon Europe Framework Programme under grant agreement No 101104445.