EIC launches Seeds of Bravery first call to support Ukrainian start-ups

The European Innovation Council has commissioned a networked consortium called Seeds of Bravery to deliver a €20 million package of support for Ukrainian tech start-ups. The consortium, made up of 17 partners plus two associates, opened its first call on 20 December 2023 offering small consultancy grants intended to stabilise companies and prepare them for scale and integration into EU markets. The action is part of a wider set of EU measures launched since 2021 and reinforced following the 2022 amendment of the EIC work programme to specifically assist Ukraine's deep tech community.

What the first call offers

The initial call provides non-refundable micro‑grants of up to €10,000 per company to fund up to two months of business consultancy services. The consultancy is aimed at improving a start-up’s business model, business plan, or growth strategy and is presented as an early step to help Ukrainian founders prepare for larger funding opportunities in Europe.

Scale and scope: money, targets and services

Seeds of Bravery says it will allocate roughly €12 million in non-refundable grants across those programmes while the overall EIC action amount is €20 million. The consortium intends to support at least 200 Ukrainian deep tech start-ups with combined grant packages of up to €60,000 each. Beyond cash, the programme will provide non-financial services such as business advisory, coaching, mentoring and investor matchmaking, and will hold market discovery, demo days and fast track opportunities to help companies find partners and investors in Europe.

Eligibility and application process

Applicants must be Ukrainian innovative tech companies or founders with a Ukrainian connection. Eligible entities include companies registered in Ukraine or relocated from Ukraine to EU member states, Overseas Countries and Territories, or Horizon Europe associated countries after 24 February 2022. Companies registered in or relocated to the United Kingdom after 1 January 2024 are also declared eligible. Projects must be for civilian uses only and not intended for military purposes. A European dimension is required to show capacity to expand in EU innovation ecosystems and to aim for participation in EIC calls.

Where this sits in the EIC and Horizon Europe context

The European Innovation Council was launched under Horizon Europe in 2021 to back high-risk, high-impact innovation. The EIC has a larger budget envelope across 2021 to 2027 and operates instruments such as the EIC Accelerator which combines grants and equity style investments. The EIC programme was amended in 2022 to add a targeted call for Ukraine given the wartime disruption and the resilience of Ukraine's growing start-up ecosystem.

A pragmatic view and risks to watch

The Seeds of Bravery package addresses clear needs. Small consultancy grants and coaching can help early teams improve their readiness to attract larger rounds. However, the amounts on offer are modest relative to the capital intensity of many deep tech projects. Grants up to €60,000 per start-up are useful for business development tasks but will not substitute for product development or capital intensive scaling. Administrative complexity and eligibility conditions such as relocation rules, civil-only use and the requirement for a European dimension may slow uptake or disqualify promising teams. Outcomes will depend on execution quality, speed of disbursement, and the ability to direct follow-on capital to companies that show traction.

There is also an accountability dimension. The EIC and its implementing agency EISMEA are subject to EU rules on transparency and data protection. Project monitoring, audit trails and clarity about how the €20 million splits between direct grants, management, and third party contractors will affect the programme's net impact for founders. Independent tracking of outcomes such as follow-on investment, market access and integration into EU ecosystems will be necessary to judge whether the intervention produces lasting results.

Immediate next steps and contacts

Seeds of Bravery opened the first call on 20 December 2023. Interested Ukrainian founders should review eligibility rules closely, prepare concise short applications in FundingBox OnePass and be ready to submit a full proposal if invited. The consortium provides guidance materials and helpdesks for technical and application queries.

What to watch next

Monitor how quickly grants are disbursed and how many companies progress from small consultancy awards to larger incubator or scale-up tracks. Watch for evidence that the programme helps companies successfully apply to EIC Accelerator calls or attract private co‑investment. Also track how the programme assesses and reports impact, and whether follow‑up measures address any gaps such as access to manufacturing, testbeds or patient capital for capital intensive deep tech.

Further background resources

Relevant documentation includes the EIC work programme and Accelerator guidance under Horizon Europe, the Seeds of Bravery programme pages, and the EISMEA and European Commission press materials announcing Ukraine-focused support measures such as the Horizon Europe Office in Kyiv and the EIT Community Hub in Kyiv. Those materials give fuller detail on programme rules, timelines and the broader EU package of measures to support Ukrainian researchers and innovators.