Google for Startups, a fund run by tech giant Google, announced on Sunday, December 1, the latest group of 25 startups that will receive grants from the Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund. The Fund was launched in March 2022 and accepted applications until September 20, 2022.
The Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund offers cash prizes without asking for equity in return – and provides hands-on assistance to Ukrainian founders as they establish and expand their businesses. This means Google will help the startups expand but won’t be a formal partner or receive any compensation for its investment.
Even though this is the last group of companies to receive non-dilutive funding from the Ukraine Support Fund, Google for Startups says it will continue to offer all 58 startups product support, mentoring sessions, and a gathering in the spring where they can showcase their accomplishments in front of investors, partners, and the local startup scene.
Additionally, candidates from Ukraine will also get access to courses like Growth Academy: Cybersecurity and Founders Academy to support them in overcoming obstacles and expanding their companies.
“Ukraine Support Fund”
The startup scene in Ukraine is robust and alive, however, as the war drags on, it poses a serious threat to Ukraine’s economy and its businesses. Many entrepreneurs in Ukraine are still struggling to keep their companies operating normally and encourage new investment.
In light of this, in March 2022, Google announced a $5M Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund to distribute equity-free cash grants to support Ukraine-based startups in order to strengthen their local economy. Additionally, Google also provided Ukrainian startups with mentoring, networking and technical support, and a workspace within the Google for Startups Campus in Warsaw.
According to a report by Dealroom, in 2022, the overall enterprise value of Ukrainian startups tripled, going from €3B to €23.3B in just three years. Despite the ongoing war, these founders have demonstrated their resilience by continuing to run their businesses, provide customer service, and add value for their consumers.
Google reports that the 33 startups from the first and second cohorts of the Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund used the funds and support to expand their companies and make a tangible impact.
For instance, startups like Releaf Paper and VanOnGo expanded internationally; the mental health app Mindly had a 300 per cent increase in monthly income; and Esper Bionics was named one of TIME’s top 200 innovations of 2022 (with Esper Hand on the cover).
Here are the 25 selected startups from the latest cohort
Adwisely: A digital advertising campaign tool for the internet that helps increase clients’ revenue
Birb: An apartment renting app that looks for the best deals in the user’s preferred areas
Book Box: A corporate library service that gives staff members access to books and reading material
DjookyX: A website where musicians may sell the rights to their songs to finance their careers
Drug Cards: A cost-effective software for monitoring medical literature automatically
Folderly: A platform powered by AI that enhances users’ email performance
Fuel Finance: A cloud-based finance department for startups
Gradual: An online platform where sales professionals can develop their expertise
Happy Monday: Matches employees with purpose-driven organisations
Jiffsy: A mobile commerce platform for “slow” fashion brands to help them boost sales
Kycaid: An online identity verification and compliance management system
Mama Plant a Tree: A digital service that allows users to plant a tree in one click
Mate Academy: Courses in computer science designed specifically for those looking to enter the IT industry
Mathema: An online math school for students from kindergarten to high school
NetHunt: A customer relations management system designed for sales teams and integrated with Gmail and LinkedIn
Numo: An app to support the well-being and productivity of adults with ADHD
Orderry: Taking local businesses from offline to online to improve their competitiveness
PeopleForce: An HR software for companies to manage employee performance
Pricer24: A platform providing brands, distributors and online stores with market analytics
RECEPTOR.AI: An AI-based platform enabling pharma and biotech companies to design new drugs more easily
Sorbsys: A carbon battery manufacturer that is environment-friendly, economical, and sustainable
Stape: A tool that helps website owners and marketers to track customer behaviour
Wantent: An AI-powered platform to measure audience engagement and test video content at all stages of production and distribution
Workee: A personal website builder designed for private tutors and freelancers
YouControl: An online service for compliance, market analysis, business intelligence and investigation of legal entities
