In February 2024, the State University “Zhytomyr Polytechnic” began selecting participants for the BGV HARDWARE ACCELERATOR — an acceleration program supporting tech startups. The accelerator’s goal is to find and engage talented engineers, as well as to create modern innovative products in Ukraine and develop tech businesses in the following directions: Automated manufacturing, Robotics and Internet of Things (IoT), Automotive industry,

Medical technologies, Drones, Eco-technologies, Energy, and others.

The leading partner and sponsor of the acceleration program is the investment company BGV Group Management, led by Gennadii Butkevych, who is also the chairman of the university’s supervisory board. The company has allocated funding to support and develop the ideas of participating teams in the accelerator. Up to €3,000 per team will finance the purchase of extra materials needed to create mechanisms. The company also sponsored the equipment upgrade of the laboratory at the Zhytomyr Polytechnic Innovation Hub, purchasing modern equipment necessary for the training and development of technological projects, such as a vertical machining center, a 3D scanner, a bending segment machine, a compressor, a metal band saw. The acceleration program was also supported by the Ukrainian Startup Fund and the open association of players in the technological ecosystem, Techosystem.

Applications from tech startup teams will be accepted until February 29. To apply, you need to fill out a short registration form on the accelerator’s website, provide the name and description of your project, and attach presentation materials. Based on the submitted applications, the initiative will select ten teams to participate in the accelerator. Details and news about the program are published on the accelerator’s official website: inhub.ztu.edu.ua/accelerator.

The acceleration program consists of theoretical and practical parts. The theoretical part includes nine educational modules from international experts and founders of leading Ukrainian tech startups. The practical part will allow teams to create a minimum viable product (MVP) at the Zhytomyr Polytechnic Innovation Hub labs.

“We are concentrating all the scientific research at the university’s Innovation Huband and doing everything possible and required for these research developments to turn into entrepreneurial initiatives, uniting businesses around the university. This is one of the priority areas that will allow the university to develop,” said Viktor Yevdokimov, Rector of Zhytomyr Polytechnic. “The university has been fostering a startup and entrepreneurial culture for seven years. Currently, we are focusing on developing tech startups and businesses, which is why we came up with the idea of ​​creating BGV HARDWARE ACCELERATOR. The university has updated laboratories with modern equipment, allowing teams to create prototypes of their products (MVP) and accelerate their entry into the market.”

More details about the program are on the website: inhub.ztu.edu.ua.