Ukraine has launched a defence tech accelerator programme for new startups aiming to deliver innovative solutions for military applications.

The Defence Builder Accelerator is a four-month-long training programme, which will provide full-cycle support for product development. This includes 100 hours of online lectures and eight 1:1 meetings with mentors.

As part of the programme, startups will also receive introductions to investors and further fundraising assistance. In addition, they will get access to testing their products on the battlefield.

The accelerator’s first cohort will comprise 15 startups in total, which will develop technologies in the following fields: avionics; cybersecurity; unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV); unmanned ground vehicles (UGV), unmanned service vehicles (USV); software; sensors; demining solutions; and means of electronic warfare (EW) and electronic surveillance.

The project is backed by Ukraine’s military community, the Kyiv School of Economics, and companies including Sigma Software Labs and Buntar Aerospace. Interested candidates can apply until April 30, 2024.