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Investment

2025 Activities

The Investment component of the UK-Ukraine TechBridge is designed to strengthen ties between UK investors and innovative Ukrainian small and medium enterprises, and encourage mutual growth in both countries via the shared tech ecosystem.

The UK-Ukraine TechBridge is designing a full 2025/26 calendar that will include a brand new Investment Accelerator. Stay updated on open calls, key activities and achievements, or explore collaboration opportunities:

Investment Accelerator

Connecting high-potential Ukrainian startups
with scaling & funding opportunities in UK,
world’s third-largest investment market.

Startup applications are closed

About Investment Accelerator

The UK-Ukraine Tech Bridge Investment Accelerator is a hybrid program that prepares Ukrainian startups for expansion into the UK market. The acceleration is designed to connect high-potential Ukrainian tech startups with the UK’s venture capital network. It aims to equip the cohort with in-depth knowledge of the UK’s investment landscape, refined fundraising strategies, and expertise from influential UK-based VC funds with a focus on securing investment deals.

$7.6M

Real Outcomes: $7.6M raised by alumni in 6 months

Take advantage of a program with proven success and close your $500K-$5M round with us

Direct Access to UK Investors

Get insider insights and firsthand experience from the people who make investment decisions.

World-Class Expertise & Mentoring

From high-impact workshops to one-on-one sessions with experts – learn from the best.

Networking & Visibility

Build connections with UK VCs, tech entrepreneurs, and key ecosystem players.

UK Market Entry Strategy

Gain deep knowledge of the UK’s business landscape and regulatory environment.

Bootcamp & Demo Day at London Tech Week

The 10 most investment-ready startups will join a Bootcamp in London and pitch at London Tech Week 2025.

About Selected Startups

Ukrainian origin

Startup must be founded in Ukraine or maintain operational activities in the country

Strategic Alignment

Applications from startups in various sectors are welcome, while first priority is given to those in AI, MedTech, Cybersecurity, EdTech, and AgriTech; and second priority to FinTech, GreenTech, GovTech, DeepTech, and Semiconductors, with others evaluated accordingly.

Stage of Development and Growth

Seed, Series A, or late Pre-seed with validated market traction, an active user base, and ARR of at least $100K or rapid MRR growth.

Investment Readiness

A funding request of $500K–$5M, with a clear strategy for utilizing the funds.

Strong Team

Founders with relevant experience, a minimum of 2 key team members fully involved in the project’s development, and proficiency in English for investor communications.

Market Potential

A total addressable market of at least $1B or a strong niche positioning.

Cohort 2025

B2B2C

Mark

Mark empowers tech companies to lower healthcare costs through prevention tool

Wellness, Healthtech, AI

HR Tech Startup

JobCannon

JobCannon LTD is a HR tech company specializing in AI-driven recruitment and talent management solutions.

HR Tech, Recruitment

B2B

Avataa

Avataa is a Ukrainian IT company specializing in software development and digital solutions, primarily for business process automation and the telecom sector. Our focus is on B2B platforms, SaaS solutions, and enterprise process optimization.

Telco

Healthcare Marketplace

Curify

The simplest way to find and join clinical trials.

Healthcare

SaaS

CONSOLID.AI

CONSOLID.AI is an innovative digital logistics ecosystem t hat enables your business to digitize all logistics processes and integrate them into a single environment for maximum efficiency and control, leveraging AI for decision automation and resource optimization.

LogTech

SaaS model with subscription-based pricing

Mantis Analytics

AI-driven situational awareness & threat intelligence platform to protect company’s reputation, assets, employees and critical infrastructure.

Security Intelligence, Critical Infrastructure Protection

Direct Sales B2B Hardware

Carbominer

Affordable CO2 for the future of food security, captured with solar heat from the air

Agriculture, Cleantech

B2B SaaS

ConnectiveOne

Enterprise-grade AI conversational platform built for support teams serving mid and large businesses

Conversational AI Platform

B2B SaaS

VanOnGo

VanOnGo revolutionizes urban delivery and field service management with an AI-driven, quantum-inspired SaaS platform that cuts delivery costs by 10-20% and boosts logistics productivity 10x, empowering businesses across Europe, Central Asia, and Japan.

Logistics Tech

B2B

YC World

YC World empowers professionals to trace entities, detect compliance risks, and visualize corporate networks.

Cybersecurity, FinTech, KYCC

SaaS as a Product

X-Ray Contact

X-Ray Contact is an all-in-one solution that brings all data about person’s online identity into one place for faster and easier verification.

Cybersecurity

SaaS

xTiles

All-in-one productivity tool, easy, visual and flexible Second Brain for you and your team, the best Notion alternative.

Productivity

LLC

PROFEED

PROFEED is a smart feed management system that helps dairy farms reduce feed waste and boost milk productivity through real-time mobile control.

AgTech

B2B

ECOFACTOR

The EV Charging ecosystem, including hardware and software production and the biggest charging network in Ukraine.

Energy, E-mobility

B2B SaaS (Fintech)

Deeployalty

Deeployalty – Tinder for banks and retailers to seamlessly match, engage, and monetize customers through digital receipts, loyalty programs, and cashback initiatives.

Fintech, Retail, Banking

Limited Liability Company

Nation of Engineers (by Nanit Robot)

Nation of Engineers is transforming engineering education through online courses with hands-on learning and strategic collaboration for entreprizes.

EdTech

SaaS

Buzzabout.ai

Tool for social media research.

MarTech

SaaS

UpLife

UpLife is a holistic mental health ecosystem: a personal growth app for individuals, and a comprehensive platform for therapists, employers, and insurance providers.

Health-Tech

B2C

Verba

Verba is an AI-powered toolkit that helps content creators effortlessly generate and enhance content with subtitles, translations, stickers, voiceovers, denoising, and more.

Content Creation

Buddy Mentors

Aaron Johnston

Co-Founder and CEO at Kintell Limited

Accomplished start-up builder with a track record of commercialising mission-oriented products and emerging technologies. Has extensive industry experience spanning media, digital health and education.

Lloyd Humphreys

Managing Director at Cogniss

Dr. Lloyd Humphreys is the Managing Director of Cogniss, the first no-code platform for digital health. A Clinical Psychologist with a business degree, he has founded and scaled multiple healthtech companies, leading to nine-figure acquisitions. Recognized as a Top 100 Health Tech Influencer, he was an NHS Innovation Accelerator Fellow and has advised the WHO and Digital Therapeutics Alliance.He has mentored startups through UK-Ukraine TechBridge, specializing in product-market fit, commercial models, investment, and scaling.

Dan Lester

Founder at Ideonate

Dan, a software entrepreneur, co-founded three exited companies, including Conversocial ($50M acquisition). He advises B2B SaaS on AI and strategy, serving as a Fractional CTO. In 2024, he mentored UK-Ukraine TechBridge, supporting FortuneGuard in launching a $50M War Risk Reinsurance Facility.

Gita Kler

Platform & Data Lead at AlbionVC

Gita brings venture and operating expertise from corporate, startup and VC environments. She was an early fintech startup employee and the first hire at Whoppah, an interior design marketplace. Now at AlbionVC, she helps startups scale operations and growth. With her Included VC training, she also supports fundraising preparations.

Col Gabriel Batten

With 20 years in top tech companies and startups,Col Gabriel has led in UK private and public markets across sectors like AI, space, cyber, and defense. He has invested $12M in startups, secured millions in non-dilutive funding, and mentored founders. He has built accelerators, matched cohorts with investors, and driven rapid growth strategies. A connected problem solver, he leverages networks to fast-track results.

David Wickham

CEO at Kooyong Holdings

David is an Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard educated strategic advisor, investment director, angel investor, client portfolio manager, and business developer. He brings 25 years of professional investment experience, and 15 years of angel investing expertise. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in raising more than US$50 billion in assets.

Tetiana Ziatikova

Associate at Blackwatch

With 15+ years in economic development and project finance, Tetiana has led donor-funded initiatives (SECO, GIZ, NEFCO, USAID) and managed €115M+ in energy and infrastructure projects. She pioneered Ukraine’s first financial incentive to cut public-sector energy use and excel in strategic planning, policy, and data analysis.

Owen Keating

VC Investor at Mangrove Capital Partners

Owen helps founders refine investment narratives and fundraising strategies, drawing from experience at Mangrove Capital Partners. He guides startups on UK market expansion and early-stage operations based on my startup experience. His work at Harvard’s Wyss Institute and Oxford University Hospital Trust provides insights into turning scientific discoveries into viable ventures.

Volodymyr Lapin

Investment manager at Skyrora Ventures

Volodymyr is an investment manager at Skyrora Ventures, focused on early-stage startups. He was a mentor at the UK-Ukraine Tech Bridge Investment Accelerator 2024. He can advise on fundraising and business strategy.

Brian Flanagan

Global Websites lead, Public Websites at HSBC

25+ years for product leadership across a wide array of industries and in companies from startups to large corporations.

Colin Howes

CEO at Series-A

Colin is the founder of Series-A, where he helps founders scale from Seed to Series A with a sharp focus on go-to-market strategy, messaging, and investor readiness.With 30 years of GTM experience, he's an exited founder, former Microsoft exec, and Director at Founders Institute London. Colin brings deep expertise in sales, fundraising,and market expansion—and a passion for mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Project timeline & phases

March 2025

Startups selection

  • Application period: March 3 - March 17, 2025
  • Application review/interviews: March 17 - March 26, 2025
  • Cohort announcement: After March 27, 2025

April – May 2025

Phase 1: Online Acceleration: A 9-week online program

The program entails:

  • Navigating the UK VC Landscape
  • Legal & Regulatory Frameworks for UK Market Entry
  • Effective Pitching & Investor Relations
  • Fundraising Strategies & Startup Valuation
  • Growth & Scaling: UK Market Penetration
  • Mid-Program – Investor Speed-Dating

June 2025

Phase 2: Bootcamp & Demo Day in London

Top 10 startups will participate in an intensive Bootcamp in London to refine their fundraising approach, followed by:

  • Private office visits to top VC firms
  • Exclusive in-person investor networking
  • Final Demo Day at London Tech Week

Open Call for UK-based VCs

As a VC partner, you'll have the opportunity to engage directly with 20 high-potential Ukrainian startups, helping them gain in-depth knowledge and essential skills to secure investment deals and potentially find yourself a portfolio company.

Investment-Ready Startups

You will have direct access to a pre-selected cohort of 20 high-potential Ukrainian startups with ongoing or planned investment rounds.

One-on-One Meetings

Engage in personalized sessions with promising founders to delve into their business models, growth strategies, and funding objectives.

Virtual Office Hours

Participate in online sessions with Ukrainian startups, offering your real-time feedback.

Bi-Weekly Workshops & Lectures

Share insights during expert-led sessions on  fundraising, investor relations, and effective pitching techniques.

In-Person Meetings

Connect directly with startups during startups’ Boot Camp in London and Demo Day at London Tech Week.

Pitch Training/Feedback

Provide pitching advice from an investor’s perspective to help refine startups’ decks and presentations.

Register Your Interest

FAQ

Who can apply for the program?

The program is open to tech-driven startups in AI, SaaS, DeepTech, FinTech, HealthTech, and other high-growth sectors. Eligible startups with proven market traction should be at the Seed, Series A, or late Pre-seed stage.

Do I need to have a registered company in the UK to participate?

The startup should only have a straightforward UK market entry and investment attraction strategy. The program will help refine this approach and provide access to relevant investors.

Are travel expenses covered for the London Bootcamp?

The program supports the 10 startups selected to attend the Bootcamp and Demo Day. Upon selection, details on financial coverage and logistics will be provided.

How will startups engage with investors?

Startups will have multiple touchpoints with investors, including:

  • Bi-weekly VC Office Hours – Virtual Q&A sessions with investors
  • 1:1 Investor Meetings – Tailored feedback and guidance
  • Investor Speed-Dating – Fast-paced pitching to multiple investors
  • In-Person Networking – Exclusive meetings at the London Bootcamp and Demo Day

Investment Accelerator
2024 pilot

Twenty Ukrainian startups took part in the 2024 pilot of the UK-Ukraine Tech Bridge Investment Accelerator, designed to support the launch of their innovative projects in the UK market. Within six months of Demo Day at London Tech Week, the cohort collectively raised over $7.6 million in investments and grants.

20

early-stage Ukrainian startups

$7.6M

raised investments and grants within 6 months after Demo Day

30+

experts with successful experience in the UK market involved

~200

hours of personal support from 15 team mentors

The Investment Accelerator Pilot, 2024, marks a significant milestone in fostering innovation and collaboration between the UK and Ukraine. This initiative is designed to empower Ukrainian startups by providing them with access to the UK's robust venture capital ecosystem.

The cohort 2024

PLATMA

PLATMA is a 24/7 extreme no-code software development platform — simple English as a code for SMBsto help them scale faster.

Metaenga

Metaenga is XR training platform designed to provide workforce development and safety training for enterprises and educational institutions in the energy sector globally.

PARTNERWAY

Partnerway is the creator of Spendbase —an AI-powered platform for companies to optimize SaaS, cloud, and corporate card spending.

Medvoice

Medvoice enables affordable continuous skills development for healthcare professionals through an online education platform.

NeuCurrent

NeuCurrent is an AI and data-driven customer retention platform for small and midsize retailers.

FortuneGuard

FortuneGuard is an AI-first brokerage revolutionizing high-value insurance for enterprises and high-net-worth individuals by optimizing efficiency and personalizing customer experiences.

Knopka

Knopka provides software solution for care delivery automation in public hospitals with emergency departments.

Cardiomo

AI-based wearable solution for long-term and remote heart monitoring to disrupt the $22B market and set the stage for the connected care model by preventing cardiac complications and reducing hospital admissions.

Wantent

Wantent is an AI powered, SAAS platform designed to deliver better audience intelligence for better business results.

Kuka

Kuka provides a corporate Reading as a Service, empowering companies to support employee development through reading.

Gios

GIOS is an interactive AI-powered Math platform and tutoring marketplace for К12 students and teachers.

Deus Robotics

We automate warehouses with intelligent robots and develop an AI-powered logistics ecosystem linking manufacturers and clients.

Aspichi

Aspichi startup is focused on developing VR solutions for the Mental Health area, providing additional assistance to patients using 360° Video and AI technologies.

FlyAgData™

FlyAgData™ collects agronomic and machine data from the equipment in the field, transforming it into valuable insights for the farmer of any scale, digitizing up to 100% of available data.

CASES

CASES is a comprehensive ecosystem for education, career growth, and the job market in the creative industries.

birb

Birb — AI rental agent, helps you quickly find and rent the perfect flat.

Djooky

Djooky is a global, inclusive, decentralized market-based ecosystem that utilizes cutting edge technologies to support music creators, music services and music lovers.

Interactive Restaurant Technology by Kodisoft

Kodisoft is deep-tech company, with own IP in IC, Physics, and materials. Invented a new principle of touch screen technology and already become #1 worldwide in public places like Restaurants, cafes.

Zibra AI

Zibra AI builds an AI-powered platform for creating high-quality 3D assets for all virtual worlds and experiences.

NLSQL

NLSQL is a SaaS company that specialises in developing Natural Language Processing solutions to facilitate seamless interaction between employees and databases, empowering users with AI data analytics.

Bootcamp

June, 8-13

A 5-day offline bootcamp in London, including visits to key companies such as Google Cloud UK, panel discussions with venture capitalists, and Q&A with UK startup founders.

Demo Day

June, 12

Final pitching at London Tech Week’s Pitch Stage. A platform for startups to showcase their projects to potential investors and industry experts. 

Demo Day

UK-Ukraine TechBridge Investment Accelerator 2025 is being implemented by 1991 Ventures with the support of the UK Government and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. Acceleration Partner – Ukrainian Startup Fund.

Contact 1991: i@1991.vc

Start-up Competition

The UK-Ukraine TechBridge is hosting a Start-up Competition to support and spotlight innovative solutions tackling real-world issues. 6 finalists will pitch to a panel of tech-industry leaders in London.

For Start-ups

Are you a start-up with Ukrainian founders, employees, or business activities? 

Do you have a solution to a challenge caused by the full-scale invasion? 

This is your chance to connect with businesses and investors interested in partnering, adopting, or investing in your solution.

  • Deadline to apply: February Wednesday 19th
  • Event day: March 6th

Learn more and apply

The Competition Brief

For Cooperation

If you are an established UK business or investor, who may be interested in attending the Start-up Competition event day with the possibility of advising, partnering with, using, or investing in the solutions, please do reach out.

Let’s innovate!

Get in Touch

Want to learn more?

Contact us:

techbridge@businessandtrade.gov.uk