Developers at Ukrainian Defense Tech may receive an UAH 8 million grant due to the Brave1 Defense Technology Cluster, which has recently extended its support for them.

The Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine reported on this.

From now on, Ukrainian developers may receive UAH 4 million and UAH 8 million for the development of defense technologies.

Ukrainian manufacturers whose development has undergone a defense examination and received an overall score of at least 7 points and an assessment of the current level of development readiness of at least 6 points can apply for a grant of UAH 8 million.

Manufacturers of UAVs, ground and naval drones, electronic warfare and cyber warfare systems, intelligence equipment, missile and artillery weapons, weapons based on unconventional principles of operation, weapons samples, and defense and security systems for troops will be able to apply for the new grants.

“Thanks to Brave1, we have created an environment where innovators and engineers can rapidly develop their ideas, and the military receives technologies at the front lines. The Defense Tech Cluster offers both expert and financial support throughout all stages of development. The grant program provides funds for R&D, scaling, and product development. Increasing the grants to UAH 4 million and UAH 8 million will enable us to develop more defense technologies and enhance the military with new solutions,” stated Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Development of Innovations, Education, Science and Technology and Minister of Digital Transformation.

Who can apply for a grant?

Ukrainian producers whose development has passed a defense expertise and received an overall score of at least 6 points and an assessment of the current level of development readiness of at least 5 points can apply for a grant of UAH 4,000,000.

In order to receive UAH 8,000,000, the overall score must be at least 7 points and the current level of development readiness must be at least 6 points.

“The grant program is one of our main tools to provide the military with the necessary technological solutions. By providing the manufacturers of the most promising solutions with financial resources, we will be able to make this process predictable and thus clearly plan the technologization of our Security and Defense Forces,” said Natalia Kushnerska, head of the Brave1 Defense Tech Cluster.

After the exam, the application goes through the stages of internal compliance, expert evaluation, pitching, approval by the Supervisory Board of the Innovation Development Fund, and the conclusion of a grant agreement with the developer.

The funds received can be used for R&D, product development, and the purchase of necessary equipment and components.