Ukrainian Startup Fund selected 15 best startups
Source: minister of digital transformation Mykhailo Fedorov
The Ukrainian Startup Fund named 15 best Ukrainian startups. These companies have made a significant contribution to the development of the startup ecosystem, continue to develop and create innovative developments even in war conditions.
The startup of the year is S.lab, which manufactures ecological packaging from plant components. This material decomposes in the soil in a month and a half and can completely replace plastic.
In 2023, S.lab won the IT Arena and received $10,000 investment.
Established 4 years ago, the Ukrainian Startup Fund has become a place that unites all players of the ecosystem.
More than 380 startups received $8.7 million for development and scaling. ‘We started cooperation with global institutions – from Amazon to Payoneer. Also, on the basis of the Fund, the Brave1 defense-tech cluster was launched to strengthen the country’s defense capabilities. We continue to work to create opportunities for the development of Ukrainian startups,’ said minister Fedorov.
After the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukraine witnessed an unprecedented wave of private support for the army. Citizens, big businesses, charitable foundations, and international philanthropists began financing the country’s defense alongside state assistance provided by international partners. Estimates of total private contributions range from tens to hundreds of billions of hryvnias. However, determining the exact amount remains difficult. In many cases, companies combine military aid, humanitarian programs, tax payments, social spending, and employee support in their reporting.
Rinat Akhmetov’s military initiative, “Steel Front”, has delivered a batch of drones worth UAH 214 million to the 1st “Azov” Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine. This shipment is part of the Metinvest Group’s ongoing support for the unit in 2025.
On October 6, the Administrative Cassation Court within the Supreme Court of Ukraine continued hearing case No. 990/80/25, in which the fifth President and leader of the party “European Solidarity”, Petro Poroshenko, seeks to have Presidential Decree No. 81/2025 from February 12, 2025 — enacting sanctions by the decision of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) — declared illegal and annulled. The plaintiff claims the document was falsified and that the sanctions are a tool of political persecution of the opposition, contrary to international norms. Government representatives deny the allegations and insist their actions were lawful. Journalists of Bukvy were present at the hearing.
Rinat Akhmetov’s Metinvest Group has completed the construction of an upgraded underground NATO Role 2 hospital in one of the hottest sectors of the frontline. This is the second stabilization point established under the Steel Front initiative in cooperation with the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The new facility, funded by Metinvest with an investment of UAH 21 million, is more secure than the first one thanks to its deeper location underground (over 6 meters) and additional fortifications.
Five armored vehicles “Kozak” have received a new mission – thanks to the support of Metinvest, they have been upgraded to full-fledged command and staff vehicles. These upgraded vehicles are now operating on the front line.