Ukraine’s Brave1 invites industry to annual startup competition

Ukraine’s Brave1 defence-tech accelerator has invited startups to apply for participation in its ‘Battle Proven’ competition, with a view to identifying and spotlighting current and near-frontline defence solutions. 

Battle Proven 2026 will take place during Ukraine’s annual Defense Tech Valley summit in Lviv, on 16-17 September. 

 It will see 30 selected finalists pitch their capabilities in front of investors and Ukrainian defence officials. 

The startups will compete for “high-level visibility, further integration into [Ukraine’s] rapidly evolving ecosystem, and the opportunity to facilitate new international partnerships”, Brave1 CEO Andrii Hrytseniuk told DSEI Gateway.  

The 30 selected startups will be a mixture of: 

• Companies developing solutions at the conceptual stage 
• Companies with solutions that have already undergone field testing 
• Companies that have already been supplying solutions for use in combat, and are “ready to scale” 

According to an announcement on 26 May, the selection process for finalists will be undertaken by frontline units, to ensure battlefield relevance. For 2026, these include Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, the Third Army Corps, and the Second Corps “Khartiia” of the National Guard of Ukraine. 

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine says that “leading international investors and defence industry representatives” are expected to be in attendance at the wider Defense Tech Valley event, implying further opportunities for selected companies to connect with stakeholders. 

Applications are being accepted until 15 June.