Institutional growth, digital platforms and shaping national innovation policy
About the organization
The Ukrainian Startup Association (UAS) is an all-Ukrainian non-profit public organization working on the development of the innovation ecosystem of Ukraine, supporting startups and small and medium-sized businesses, implementing digital tools, shaping innovation policy and promoting economic recovery and European integration.
2025 became for UAS a year of qualitative institutional growth, scaling digital solutions and strengthening the organization’s role as a national coordinator of the innovation ecosystem.
Mission and strategic vision
The mission of UAS is to develop an inclusive and sustainable innovation ecosystem ecosystem of Ukraine by supporting startups, entrepreneurs and communities, implementing digital solutions and shaping innovation policy that meets European standards.
Strategic vision – to become a key platform and institutional partner for the state, communities and international donors in the field of innovation, entrepreneurship and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.
Organizational development and management
In 2025, the Ukrainian Startup Association:
- strengthened the governance and operational management system;
- implemented internal policies on integrity, financial control, risk management and personal data protection;
- improved coordination of project teams and partner organizations;
- expanded the network of experts, mentors and regional partners.
UAS operates on the principles of transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and compliance with European governance standards.
Main areas of activity in 2025
1. Digital Infrastructure for Innovation Support
UAS continued the development of the Platform for Support of Innovation Projects platform.startups.org.ua and the professional community in Telegram https://t.me/UAS_Startup_Channel
In 2025, these tools:
- brought together over 300 startups and innovation teams;
- involved 4 national universities and key state institutions, including UkraineInvest and the Ukrainian National Office of Intellectual Property and Innovation (UNOIVI);
- became the basis for uniting 12 business associations of Ukraine and developing international partnerships;
- provided tools for assessing the readiness of startups, access to mentors, programs, grants and competitions.
With the support of UAS experts:
- more than 10 innovative projects attracted funding ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 euros (SEEDS OF BRAVERY, UMAEF, BRAVE1, etc.);
- 23 startups received support in applying to the EIC and Horizon Europe programs (results expected in 2026);
- services were provided for writing business plans, growth strategies, developing business models, attracting partners and forming consortia for more than 30 companies;
- The association has raised funding to develop new services and improve digital tools.
2. StartAid Ukraine – a single digital platform of opportunities
In 2025, the UAS initiated StartAid Ukraine – a national digital platform of opportunities, which unites:
- educational opportunities;
- vacancies and job tools;
- tenders;
- financial instruments (grants, investments, loans, insurance).
- integrated with the European DSJP platform
StartAid Ukraine is created for:
- transparent support for startups, SMEs, communities, IDPs and women entrepreneurs;
- piloting grant programs and sub-granting mechanisms;
- monitoring results and accountability to donors;
- engaging communities in economic recovery processes;
- integration into the European digital space.
3. Formation of the National Coalition for Support of Innovation Projects
One of the key achievements of 2025 was the creation and coordination of the National Coalition for Support of Innovation Projects, which included:
- civil organizations and business associations;
- universities and think tanks;
- Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine;
- UNOIVI and other institutional partners.
The coalition is working on:
- development and implementation of the StartAid Ukraine platform;
- organization of the Second International Investment Forum INVESTinUA;
- formation of a model of public-private partnership (PPP) in the field of innovation;
- preparation of the concept of the National Agency for Innovation Management;
- harmonization of innovation policy with the processes of European integration.
4. Investytsiynyy khab INVESTinUA
U 2025 rotsi UAS zapustyla investytsiynyy khab INVESTinUA investinua.startups.org.ua/ INVESTinUA – tse tsyfrova tochka vkhodu dlya:
- ukrayinsʹkykh startapiv i proyektiv vidnovlennya;
- mizhnarodnykh investoriv i fondiv;
- donorsʹkykh prohram i partneriv.
Khab spryamovanyy na:
- pidhotovku investytsiyno hotovykh proyektiv;
- prozoru komunikatsiyu mizh biznesom i investoramy;
- pidtrymku zaluchennya pryvatnoho kapitalu v innovatsiyi ta vidbudovu Ukrayiny.
Rezulʹtaty ta vplyv u 2025 rotsi
- ponad 300 innovatsiynykh komand u spilʹnoti UAS;
- zapusk i masshtabuvannya dvokh natsionalʹnykh tsyfrovykh platform;
- stvorennya ta koordynatsiya Natsionalʹnoyi koalitsiyi z upravlinnya innovatsiyamy;
- desyatky partnerstv z universytetamy, hromadamy ta biznesom;
- zrostannya doviry do tsyfrovykh instrumentiv pidtrymky innovatsiy;
- vnesok u formuvannya polityk vidnovlennya ta yevrointehratsiyi.
2 688
4. INVESTinUA Investment Hub
In 2025, the UAS launched the INVESTinUA Investment Hubinvestinua.startups.org.ua/
INVESTinUA is a digital entry point for:
- Ukrainian startups and recovery projects;
- international investors and funds;
- donor programs and partners.
The hub is aimed at:
- preparation of investment-ready projects;
- transparent communication between business and investors;
- supporting the involvement of private capital in innovation and reconstruction of Ukraine.
Results and impact in 2025
- over 300 innovation teams in the UAS community;
- launch and scale two national digital platforms;
- creation and coordination of the National Coalition for Innovation Management;
- dozens of partnerships with universities, communities and businesses;
- increasing trust in digital tools to support innovation;
- contribution to the formation of recovery and European integration policies.
Financial Integrity and Accountability
In 2025, the UAC:
- carried out financial activities in accordance with the legislation of Ukraine;
- used non-cash payments and a double-entry payment system;
- provided separate accounting of funds by projects;
- introduced internal procurement and sub-granting procedures;
- prepared for an external financial audit.
Priorities for 2026
- launch of StartAid Ukraine;
- expansion of the National Coalition at the regional level;
- launch of pilot PPP solutions in the field of innovation;
- strengthening the role of the UAS as a national innovation coordinator;
- attracting international funding for recovery;
- institutional preparation for the creation of the National Innovation Management Agency.
Therefore, 2025 confirmed the ability of the Ukrainian Startup Association to act as a responsible, transparent and strategic partner in the field of innovation, democratic development and economic sustainability of Ukraine.
UAS continues to build the institutional foundation for the country’s future growth, based on partnership, technology and European values.
