Growth Ukraine: Startup Wise Guys and EBRD launch accelerator program for Ukrainian startups

Estonian startup accelerator Startup Wise Guys together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has launched a Growth Ukraine programme to empower private sector companies and entrepreneurs from Ukraine. The programme will begin on October 30.

The first application period is open until October 22, 2023. Applications can be submitted here.

The acceleration program is focused on startups that have:

• at least one of startup founders has a Ukrainian passport.
• B2B SaaS model in various verticals.
• a scalable product in operation.
• a minimum of 2 founders and a team of more than 3 people.
• an MRR of over €5000, or engaging paid pilots with promising clientele.
• secured at least pre-seed level funding.
• globally ambitious in scope.
• fluent in spoken English.

• Selected startups will go through the four-month programme, focusing on the four main points of growth:
  • strategy assessment
  • sales and marketing
  • people strategy
  • finance and fundraising
• The participants will work closely with Startup Wise Guys’ extensive network of over 200 international mentors, investors, and industry experts. The programme’s promoters and implementers aim to support startups through intensive 1:1 mentoring and targeted European exposure, amplified by online matchmaking and an on-site event in Vilnius.
• The programme is delivered online and managed by Mariia Tintul, the ambassador of Women in Tech Ukraine and Head of Business Development at Startup Wise Guys. Growth Ukraine will run in two parts, dividing the startups into two cohorts of 6.

About the organizers

Startup Wise Guys is one of the most active accelerator funds in Europe and Africa, with a portfolio of over 400 early-stage startups in B2B SaaS, fintech, cybersecurity, XR, sustainability. Since launching in 2012, Startup Wise Guys has built a community of more than 850 founders with 71 nationalities and has 15 exits from its investment portfolio.

Its portfolio includes startups such as Bolt, Jeff App, Planet42, Katana, and Ready Player Me. In addition, the accelerator has supported 42 startups in Ukraine, including 14 investments made in Ukrainian startups since February 2022. 

Founded in 1991, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is a multilateral developmental investment bank that uses investment as a tool to build market economies. Since the start of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine, the EBRD has substantially increased its finance for Ukraine and is on track to fulfil its commitment to deploy at least €3 billion there by the end of 2023.