Support for early-stage Ukrainian innovators
10 March 2023
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The opportunity to pitch is always a win – in more than one sense of the word. On pitch day for the “Pre-accelerator in Ukraine – powered by EIT Jumpstarter”, 16 Ukrainian teams had the opportunity to win, learn and to connect with each other.
The event in a nutshell
The power of innovation was on full display on this occasion. The event brought together some of Ukraine’s most promising entrepreneurs to showcase their cutting-edge ideas and compete for monetary prizes and access to the EIT Community’s network. Hosted by EIT Jumpstarter, the programme aims to support Ukrainian innovators as they turn their concepts and discoveries into thriving businesses. This programme is part of the RIS programmes EIT Manufacturing offers.
Sixteen teams were selected from over 150 applicants to present their pitches, each hoping to impress the expert jury of industry leaders and secure one of the top three spots. At the event, Dr Konstantinos Georgoulias, Director of Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) and EU Affairs, and Dr Veronica Rodriguez, RIS Operations Manager, extended a warm welcome to all the participants, setting the tone for a day filled with excitement and anticipation.
The competition was nothing short of intense, as a panel evaluated the pitches with great scrutiny to determine who would be awarded the monetary prizes worth 7,500€, 5,500€, and 3,500€. Moreover, the competition offered participants an exclusive opportunity to gain access to the IT Communities network resource for any ambitious innovator.
Results of the Pre-Accelerator Pitch Day Ukraine
In the first place was OptySun, whose revolutionary technology promises to bring clean drinking water to remote and underprivileged communities around the world. Powered by solar energy, their device can purify and disinfect water, producing nine litres of drinking water in just 30 minutes. And with its triple-stage purification technology, OptySun guarantees the destruction of 99.9% of bacteria, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to traditional bottled water.
The second place was awarded to Geodesic, a company dedicated to creating sustainable and affordable geo domes made primarily of bio-degradable materials. These incredible structures offer families a cleaner environment and a greener future. Due to their dome shape, the structures have a lower surface area, thus significantly reducing energy costs by relying on passive heating and cooling methods. With Sweden as their chosen market, Geodesic hopes to lead the way in sustainable real estate.
Coming in third was Reest, whose solution tackles the problem of labour shortage by developing robots that can replace pickers. These robots not only increase efficiency by detecting diseases early on but also ensure a better yield and greater economic savings. Explicitly designed for mushrooms with soft skins, the robots are programmed to monitor the yield status and avoid damaging the delicate produce. With a solution like this, the labour shortage in the agriculture sector will be tackled head-on, and the efficiency of the food supply chain will be greatly improved.
A glimpse into the organising team
Reflecting on the competition’s intent, Dr Georgoulias expressed EIT Manufacturing’s commitment to launching more such opportunities in the future for aspiring innovators in Ukraine.
The initiative has been a great success engaging and attracting a very high number of applicants, demonstrating the innovation potential of Ukraine and the desire of Ukrainian innovators to go forward with their innovations even at a time of war. Allow me to express my thanks to my colleague Dr Rodriguez who has been the main initiator of this action, and above all to the innovators who believed in this programme and worked closely with us.
Dr Konstantinos Georgoulias, Director of Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) and EU Affairs
The jury comprised a panel of remarkable professionals, including Dr Olga Trofymova, Director of Export Internationalisation, Ukrainian Cluster Alliance, Anna Mihok Peli, Project Lead, EIT Health Innostars, and Fesenko Olena, Head of the Department of International Cooperation and Support Innovation and Technology Transfer of IP Nasu, General Manager of EEN-Ukraine Consortium.
The pitch day was an absolute thrill ride! The atmosphere was electric as we witnessed some of the most ingenious and groundbreaking ideas from Ukrainian entrepreneurs. It was inspiring to see their passion and determination to make a difference in the world.
We’re proud to announce that the EIT Manufacturing programme will continue to provide unwavering support to these brilliant minds. We believe in their potential and are committed to giving them every opportunity to transform their ideas and discoveries into prosperous businesses. Together, we’ll create a brighter future for everyone.
Dr Veronica Rodriguez, RIS Operations Manager
More Information about the “Pre-accelerator in Ukraine”
EIT Jumpstarter is back for 2023!
Applications are open by 16 April 2023
Head over to the RIS sphere on AGORA
For more information about the RIS (Regional Innovation Scheme) news & opportunities
Meet the 16 finalists of the “Pre-accelerator in Ukraine” programme :
androy is engaged in the creation of an underwater air multidron, a fundamentally new mode of transport. The novelty of the idea lies in the method of immersion under water, ascent to the surface of water, and aerospace. Multidron is a spiral that changes its curvature, that is, folds and unfolds. A patent for the invention was opened in the United Kingdom.
AM Bones aims to replace broken or diseased bone with an artificial implant that fully integrates with the existing bone and its tissues. The mission is to create a lifelong solution that excludes reoperations and/or implant revisions. The technology uses a biocompatible polymer that can be made from renewable resources (such as agricultural waste). It allows you to preserve the natural aesthetics of the human body and this approach is available to absolutely any person.
Learn more: www.am-bones.com
Anna Maly is an anomaly detection solution for production enterprises from different industries. It helps to increase equipment reliability and production quality by analyzing data from equipment sensors and SCADAs using a variety of ML and AI methods. The idea will have a direct significant positive result for manufacturing enterprises and an indirect positive opinion from the public and socio-economic side by reducing equipment failure/accidents, and as a result, reducing the impact on the environment, ecology, directly on people’s lives and health.
Learn more: https://smart-eam.com/modules/detektirovanie-anomalij/
CareTech Human’s goal is to deliver an in-home uroflowmetry solution that will operate in a fully automated regime (i), integrate into users’ everyday routine activities without additional actions/utilization habits/activation (ii), be affordable (iii), and enable continuous health measurements and vivid urology health analytics both for user and doctor(iv).
Learn more: https://caretechhuman.com/
EcoTyre is a startup company that designed a concept of a modular tire recycling line in standard 20’-40’ containers, “plant on the wheels.” The company enables the production of valuable raw materials: crumb rubber, steel wire, textiles, and gas from end-of-life tires for re-use in the production of new tires, road surfacing, technical rubber products, plastics, covers, various building construction applications, etc. The company invented the novel patented approach to upcycle tires in an electromagnetic field with significant efficiency improvement, lower electricity consumption, and final product quality enhancement.
Learn more: http://ecotyrelab.com/
FoldyGO develops the first inflatable, foldable, and fully functional bicycle helmet on the market. The product potentially provides the best solution for a bike rental and sharing services as it folds up to 85% of its original size and it is predicted to have the lowest price in its segment.
Geodesic.Life tackles the problem that wood timber and hemp are sequestering CO2 while growing and lime absorbing CO2 during the whole building’s lifetime. Also, timber, hemp and lime are easier for recycling or natural decomposition after building’s demolition. Therefore, team aims to combine three modern technologies as CLT, hempcrete insulation and dome shape using a prefabrication approach in order to deliver a more sustainable yet affordable from of constructing homes, making families happier and healthier.
Learn more: https://geodesic.life/
Insecterra cultivates a black soldier fly larvae and transforming them into sustainable protein and lipids as additives for animal feed (pet food, aquaculture, poultry, swing). Larvae with low-quality organic residues (biowaste) and they convert it into high-quality protein and fat for animal. This idea contributes to reducing the organic waste in Ukraine by converting the waste into final products for different agro-industry sectors. It also provides a high-quality, natural, and inexpensive protein source for feeding animals. Finally, as a byproduct, organic fertilizer is produced, crucial for Ukrainian crops sector (especially in state of war).
LEDÓMOTORS AUTOMOTIVE UKRAINE plans to establish the production of electric cars from 2025, and release an electric car on the Ukrainian market and for export to the European market. Ledomotors will design a serial version SUV 5-door shooting brake electric crossover. The Start Up envisions its research-driven design LEDÓ as new electric SUV luxury shooting break by vision concept KRAЇNA AUTO coupe.
Learn more: https://krainaauto.com/
Mycelia Technology – is a biotechnology company that grows, explores, researches mycelium and produces leather that is animal-cruelty free, durable and used for everyday life. Mycelium leather has been news for a long time. However, its application that can be worn by the public is still nowhere to be seen. Mycelia follows the mission to speed up the process and make it an every-day item for leather products. Additionally, in our approach we use materials that are compostable and from waste or natural resources. In this way, we use circular approach in our mushroom production process.
Learn more: https://myceliatech.com/
OptySun offers a fully autonomous and portable solution for a small group of people who find themselves without drinking water. All that is required for its operation is the presence of water of any quality and access to sunlight or a source of electricity. The device can purify water under almost any conditions without consumable parts and chemicals. It kills 99.9% of bacteria without chemical influence. and provides 5 daily servings of water every 30 minutes. This circumvents the problems of poor logistics and access to drinking water, especially for people with disabilities who need support on a regular basis.
Learn more: https://m.facebook.com/OptySunFilters
Reest develops mushroom harvesting robots for farms. They have developed a special mushroom gripping tool able to pick mushrooms without damaging them. The ultimate goal is to build a completely autonomous mushroom farm operated by robots. With the usage of robots, they aim to build the next generation of mushroom farms, which can produce a yield that is better in quality and quantity. Farmers will have fewer losses of harvest and the price for mushrooms can be lower.
The team of S.D is developing an innovative technology that involves a long-term deactivating thermal microwave effect on the viruses (mainly about SARS-CoV), which provides a high degree of disinfection. The development is aimed at improving the quality of life of all mankind. The proposed equipment is part of the ventilation systems of the premises and does not manifest itself from an aesthetic point of view.
Learn more: http://texpolis.com/
Sorbsys batteries are a rule-changing set of technologies in the energy storage market. Sorbsys presents the world’s first sustainable battery the most cost-effective, safe, with zero environmental impact, and made from renewable raw materials. The cost of one cycle is dramatically less than existing lithium-ion batteries. Sorbsys are truly green technologies, safe and cheap. The source are endless raw materials from seawater and from an agricultural waste.
Learn more: www.sorbsys.com
S.A offers an innovative bot that can measure the level of sustainability of companies, which will help to assess in real time, give analysis and recommendations of the extent to which the company adheres to the principles of sustainable development in its activities. It allows reducing the costs of companies to confirm their sustainability and environmental sustainability, while promoting the reduction of CO2 emissions due to the transition to environmental friendliness as the least packaging, as the most – production.
Learn more: https://sustainableagency.weblium.site/
Tehnotable intends to create an ideal workplace, where the furniture will take care of the user while he solves his tasks. The Start Up outsources most of its products, thereby not increasing the burden on the environment, opening new production and helping partners to save jobs, which is especially important during the recession. Additionally, Tehnotable developed a platform for rehabilitation for children with clubfoot, every year 1 to 3% of children are born with clubfoot and they require a long rehabilitation process to restore the work of the Achilles .Learn more: https://tehnotable.com/
Any questions? Contact our team members!
About the Pre-accelerator in Ukraine programme:
A 2020 report by the European Commission highlights the rapid development of a high technology sector in Ukraine, with pockets of scientific excellence reflecting the country’s successful contribution to scientific advancement over the past decades. The innovation potential of Ukraine and Ukrainians is immense and should be preserved and driven forward through programs supporting innovators and entrepreneurs, even though Ukrain is going through a very difficult political context.
Thereby, a pre-accelerator programme providing Ukrainian researchers, students, idea holders and early-stage startups with entrepreneurial educational programs and access to finance was launched to support the sustainable reconstruction of the country, and potentially trigger a major technology and innovation leap. This is where the idea to launch an EIT Manufacturing RIS programme the “Pre-accelerator in Ukraine – powered by EIT Jumpstarter” came from, in early September 2022.
With the contribution of INESTEC and Tartu University, EIT Manufacturing RIS HUBs partners, high-potential early-stage teams got the opportunity to develop their business idea through online training, expert mentoring and subgranting. The methodology of the programme is based on the EIT Jumpstarter, an award-winning pre-accelerator brought to life by six Knowledge and Innovation Communities of the EIT in a project led by EIT Health.