UKRAINE, Apr 9 — Defence Builder Accelerator, an acceleration program for creating defense startups, has been launched in Ukraine, according to a press release from the initiative.

The initiative’s press release states that the program was developed by the leaders of the Ukrainian tech ecosystem, including Genesis, Sigma Software Labs, and the Kyiv School of Economics. Business representatives, engineers, and military personnel with combat experience are among the members.

The organizers note that the program will last for four months. During this time, Ukrainian defense technology manufacturers will receive mentoring support, assistance in creating military products, and access to investors. The accelerator will help startup teams with management systems, legal structure, production scaling, and investment attraction. Their products will be tested at training grounds, and teams will receive feedback from the frontline.

The program’s founders will select 15 startups that create technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ground robots, drones, countering electronic systems, software, demining, cybersecurity, avionics, and sensors. Teams with at least two members, a product prototype, and military feedback for the prototype can apply. The program’s first enrollment runs from April 4 to April 30.

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