The Russian invasion of Ukraine was extraordinarily troublesome for all Ukrainian startups, together with VanOnGo, an AI-powered logistics platform that connects manufacturers and supply companions. The staff rapidly pivoted to assist ship humanitarian support, however felt bodily and emotionally exhausted from the struggle, volunteering and shifting the enterprise outdoors of Ukraine. With hands-on technical help and equity-free funding from the Google for Startups Ukraine Assist Fund, VanOnGo was capable of give attention to enterprise growth within the EU, virtually doubling their yearly income and making greater than 500,000 profitable deliveries. “The Ukraine Assist Fund was like a lifebelt that impressed the staff to maneuver ahead, “ mentioned cofounder Viacheslav Levchenko.
Functions at the moment are open for Google for Startups Ukraine Assist Fund
To broaden our help of Ukrainian corporations like VanOnGo, with assist from the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, we’re opening up a further $10 million Google for Startups Ukraine Assist Fund. Beginning in the present day, Ukraine-based startups can apply to obtain as much as $100,000 in non-dilutive funding, in addition to ongoing Google mentorship and product help. Startups are additionally eligible to obtain a further $350,000 in Cloud credit to assist their groups construct responsibly and do extra with much less. To this point, the initiative has supplied 58 startups with a complete of $5 million in equity-free money awards and hands-on technical help since 2022 to develop their companies and assist lay the groundwork for Ukrainian financial restoration.
With a view to apply, startups should have not less than one in every of their entities registered in Ukraine and have a minimal viable product (MVP) with demonstrated enterprise traction. Whereas not a requirement, corporations utilizing AI to handle a social problem might be prioritized. Founders will be capable of use the non-dilutive money award to proceed development, resume enterprise operations impacted because of struggle or pivot product to handle new challenges.
New recipients of the Google for Startups Ukraine Assist Fund might be introduced on a rolling foundation, with upcoming bulletins in June and September 2024 and in early 2025. Be taught extra and apply right here by June fifth 2024.
