GovTech Lab Ukraine Opens Call for Startups to Co-Create Innovative Digital Solutions for Ukraine’s Resilience

GovTech Lab Ukraine programme opens its first call for startups and innovators to co-create and pilot digital solutions with Ukrainian government institutions. Selected participants can receive up to €150,000 in pilot funding, gain direct access to decision-makers, and contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s recovery and resilience while delivering social impact at scale.

GovTech Lab UA is Ukraine’s first open innovation programme that helps Ukrainian government institutions solve real-world challenges with digital solutions that work for the public good. It brings together ministries and state agencies, to identify pressing public sector problems — and invites startups (series A+), tech companies, and innovators to co-develop and pilot practical digital solutions that deliver measurable impact.

The programme is implemented by the Global Government Technology Centre Kyiv, in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the World Economic Forum, and with the support of Switzerland within EGAP Program, which is carried out by East Europe Foundation.

Innovating for Recovery and Resilience

Ukraine is rapidly transforming its public services through digital innovation, but government institutions still face complex challenges in efficiency, service delivery and innovation implementation. Traditional procurement and reform processes are often too slow to address urgent needs in the face of multiple crises and the demands of post-war recovery.

At the same time, Ukraine has a thriving tech ecosystem and strong political will for innovation. International and local Ukrainian startups and innovators can play a key role in co-developing solutions that not only improve public services, but also contribute to Ukraine’s resilience and rebuilding.

Through GovTech Lab Ukraine, ministries and state agencies open their most pressing challenges to innovators. Selected participants will co-create and pilot practical digital solutions with Ukrainian government partners, with pilots sponsored up to €150,000. Beyond funding, innovators gain a unique opportunity to enter the Ukrainian market, test solutions in real-world conditions, and deliver measurable social impact.

Solving Ukraine’s Public Sector Challenges: 2025 Focus Areas

GovTech Lab Ukraine is looking for solutions that drive innovation and impact in three priority public sector areas:

• Tech for transparent, efficient decisions in urban development.

How can technology help Ukraine ensure transparent, fast and effective decision-making in the field of architecture and construction?

• Automatic provision of legal advice for the most common citizen requests.

How can a reliable digital assistant be implemented that automatically provides legal advice for the most common citizen requests, without compromising the quality of legal assistance and ensuring the possibility of transferring complex requests to legal experts?

• Building a transparent, data-driven tourism management system to boost community revenues and ensure fair competition.

How can digital technologies help Ukraine create a transparent, analytical and integrated tourism management system that will increase community revenues, ensure fair competition and guarantee access to quality services?

Application Criteria and Benefits for Selected Startups

GovTech Lab UA is looking for startups and innovators from Ukraine and beyond with solutions that have the potential to scale in Ukraine. Applications are welcome from for-profit or social enterprises with a proven track record, capable teams, and a commitment to creating tangible social impact. Not-for-profit organizations with a clearly defined, revenue-generating project may also apply. Solutions should offer innovation, be viable in government or public-sector environments, and support national development priorities and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Nine submissions will be chosen (three per challenge area). Selected winners will pilot their solutions with Ukrainian government partners and receive:

• Funding: Up to €150,000 to implement their pilot projects.
• Access: Direct connections with relevant government officials.
• Visibility: Citizen-focused recognition as innovators driving digital public services.
• Support & Guidance: Testing in live environments, user engagement insights, and advice on scaling, procurement, and legal frameworks.
• Networking: Access to the Global GovTech Network.

The open call for submissions is open from 17 September to 28 October 2025. Selected winners will be announced on 19 November 2025. Interested startups and innovators can find full details on the application process, selection criteria, and how to apply on the UpLink platform: https://uplink.weforum.org/uplink/s/uplink-issue/a00TE00000KR0Zx/govtech-lab-ukraine. 

GovTech Lab Ukraine is an open innovation program in government technology implemented by the Global Government Technology Centre Kyiv (GGTC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the World Economic Forum, and with the support of Switzerland within EGAP Program, which is carried out by East Europe Foundation. More information about the GovTech Lab programme can be found at https://www.kyivgovtechcentre.org/govtech-lab.

The Global Government Technology Centre (GGTC) in Kyiv became the second GovTech centre in the world after Berlin and the 21st Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) in the World Economic Forum network. GGTC Kyiv is supported by Switzerland within EGAP Program, which is carried out by East Europe Foundation, and initiated by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine and the World Economic Forum.