The winners of the EIT Jumpstarter program were announced at the EIT Innovation Awards 2025 ceremony in Budapest — and three Ukrainian startups made the list, according to an EIT press release.

• The EIT Innovation Awards is one of the flagship events of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), celebrating Europe’s most promising innovators. The ceremony also marked the finale of the EIT Jumpstarter program, which helps transform scientific projects into viable businesses while strengthening the innovation ecosystem across Central, Eastern, and Southern Europe.
• This year’s awards came with a total prize fund of €132,500. From 908 applications spanning 22 countries, 42 teams made it to the competition, and 21 participants walked away with awards across seven key categories. Ukrainian startups were among them:
  • Mindship – €10,000, winner in the Rebuild Ukraine category
  • VR Revive – €5,000, runner-up in the Rebuild Ukraine category
  • OMG Tetra – €2,500, runner-up in the Rebuild Ukraine category
• These Ukrainian teams are developing solutions in mental health, medical rehabilitation, and grant support for businesses and NGOs.
• Since its launch in 2017, the EIT Jumpstarter program has helped establish 140 startups, trained over 1,200 participants, created more than 2,000 new jobs, and attracted roughly €150 million in external investments.

• A separate part of the ceremony honored the third annual EIT Red Kalyna Award, which recognizes Ukrainian women who are shaping the future of their country and Europe amid the ongoing full-scale war.
• This year, 10 Ukrainian women received the award.

About EIT

• The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is the EU body dedicated to fostering innovation across Europe. It develops solutions to pressing global challenges and supports entrepreneurial talent to drive sustainable development and create high-skilled jobs.
• The EIT is part of Horizon Europe, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and works with partners to offer a broad range of opportunities: entrepreneurship education programs, business creation and acceleration services, and innovative research projects.
• As a reminder, Ukraine ranks second among countries whose startups received support under EIT programs in 2024, with 163 startups backed. Spain leads the list, followed by Ukraine and then Italy.