EIC mobilises €20 million for Ukrainian deep tech start-ups and names new Ukraine-based ambassador
- ›The European Innovation Council launched a €20 million action to support Ukrainian deep tech start-ups and received 25 proposals.
- ›The initiative aims to support at least 200 Ukrainian start-ups with grants of up to €60,000 and non-financial services such as coaching and matchmaking.
- ›A pan-European network of start-up associations will be selected to implement the programme with at least one Ukrainian stakeholder and links to existing EU initiatives.
- ›Ukraine-based Sergey Sereda was appointed as an EIC Ambassador to act as a local voice for the EIC and to provide ecosystem feedback.
- ›Practical questions remain about the adequacy of the funding per company, selection transparency and delivery risks in a conflict setting.
EIC stands with Ukraine: a targeted support action and a local ambassador
The European Innovation Council announced a targeted action to support the Ukrainian innovation community. The EIC set aside €20 million to help Ukrainian deep tech start-ups sustain operations, connect to the European innovation ecosystem and prepare for future financing. According to the EIC, 25 proposals were submitted to implement the action. The programme promises both financial help in the form of grants and a package of non-financial services.
What the action promises
| Item | Detail |
| Total budget | €20 million |
| Target number of start-ups supported | At least 200 Ukrainian deep tech start-ups |
| Grant per start-up | Up to €60,000 |
| Additional support | Business advisory services, matchmaking, ecosystem integration |
| Submissions received | 25 proposals for implementation |
| Planned timeline | Network selected around November 2022; grants allocated from early 2023 |
The EIC frames the initiative as a way to preserve Ukraine's start-up capacity during wartime, to help firms enter new markets and to prepare them for later access to larger EIC funding instruments that can include substantial grants and equity investments.
How the programme will be implemented
The EIC will run a competitive call for proposals to select a pan-European network of start-up associations to deliver the action. The selected network must collaborate with at least one Ukrainian innovation stakeholder and seek synergies with other EU initiatives, such as the Enterprise Europe Network.
Appointment of a Ukraine-based EIC Ambassador
The EIC named Sergey Sereda, co-founder and managing partner of PIPES.one, as an EIC Ambassador based in Ukraine. EIC Ambassadors act as local voices for the EIC, speaking about the programme and feeding back insights from their national and regional ecosystems.
How this fits with wider EU support for Ukraine
The initiative sits alongside a set of EU measures to support Ukraine's research and innovation system. Ukraine’s association to Horizon Europe and the Euratom programme was confirmed after ratification, enabling Ukrainian organisations to participate on equal terms. The Commission also waived Ukraine's financial contribution for 2021 and 2022, which was estimated at around €20 million. Parallel measures include ERA4Ukraine, Horizon4Ukraine and a €25 million Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions fellowship scheme for displaced Ukrainian researchers.
Practical and policy questions to watch
The EIC action is notable for its speed and targeted nature, but a number of practical questions and risks deserve attention. The grant size of up to €60,000 may be useful for short term liquidity but is limited for capital intensive deep tech projects that typically require larger sums to progress prototypes or scale manufacturing. Delivery in a conflict zone raises logistical and security challenges that can impede disbursement and programme monitoring. Selecting a pan-European implementing network makes sense to leverage capacity but it also risks bureaucratic delays or the favouring of better connected implementers rather than those most closely tied to Ukrainian needs.
Why the scale and timing matter
The programme aims to be a bridge between emergency support and longer term integration of Ukrainian innovators into European funding streams. The EIC highlights the potential for Ukrainian start-ups to participate in larger EIC calls that can include substantial grants and equity investment. However, the number of companies the €20 million can meaningfully help at scale is limited. Implementation speed is essential to prevent business closures and talent flight, but speed must not come at the cost of weak oversight or inefficient allocation.
What to watch next
Stakeholders and observers should monitor several elements as the action unfolds. These include the identity and track record of the pan-European implementing network selected from the 25 proposals, how winners among Ukrainian start-ups are chosen, how and when grants are disbursed, whether non-financial services are matched to the most pressing needs, and whether there is measurable follow through into larger financing or market entry. Also important is reporting on any exceptions taken to usual eligibility and audit rules because of wartime circumstances. Finally, the role of the new EIC Ambassador in channeling on-the-ground feedback will be important if it leads to adjustments in programme delivery.
The EIC action for Ukraine signals a political and financial commitment to protect research and innovation capacity under stress. It is a timely response but not a substitute for sustained, larger scale investments that deep tech firms need to commercialise complex technologies. Implementation choices in the coming months will determine whether the initiative preserves capacity and connects Ukrainian deep tech to European markets or whether it becomes a short term stopgap with limited long term impact.
Where to find more information
Relevant EU sources include the EIC work programme 2022 and the EIC Action for Ukraine factsheet. Updates on implementation and calls for proposals are published via the EIC and EISMEA portals and through the EU Funding and Tenders portal. For accountability mechanisms and reporting, standard EU oversight bodies and rules apply including data protection provisions under Regulation (EU) 2018/1725.