The launch of a program aimed at supporting Ukrainian technical entrepreneurs in the defense industry has marked the official launch of MITS Accelerator, a joint venture between American and Ukrainian companies focused on cutting-edge defense technologies.
There is a stereotype that defense institutions can only work with large defense companies and organizations and are biased against startups. However, the defense sector is currently undergoing significant transformations and requires bold decisions. The impetus for these changes was strong Ukrainian resistance and Ukraine’s creative approach to warfare. The solution is to cooperate with startups – small technology companies – whose fast and innovative proposals influence the course and outcome of combat operations here and now. All this allows us to significantly contribute to the development of the Ukrainian and global defense ecosystem and accelerate the development of technologies.
To this end, leading Ukrainian and American companies and experts in the field of defense, technology solutions, and education announced the launch of the MITS (inspired by Ukrainian word for “Might”), an international defense accelerator on February 23, 2024, in Kyiv.
It aims to become a driver of Ukraine’s defense tech, to help young technology companies find the best partners and scale up, and to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine get the best defense technology products into use as soon as possible. MITS offers startups an investment of $200,000: $100,000 in direct investment in the company and $100,000 in unique expertise provided by the accelerator in cooperation with the private American university in Ukraine, American University Kyiv, as well as a post-acceleration program aimed at further assisting startups in attracting investment and scaling.
MITS and American University Kyiv, powered by Arizona State University (No. 1 in innovation among American universities in the newly released annual “Best Colleges” 2024 rankings by U.S. News & World Report), have developed a unique business program to help startups reach the world level of defense tech products, gain new competencies and become market leaders.
Diving into the Program
The acceleration program has two stages, each lasting three months: business acceleration and post-acceleration support. The program also consists of 2 training blocks:
- development of business thinking – raising the level of business education, fundraising, management, and financial management with the involvement of industry experts from different countries according to the highest standards of Arizona State University;
- practical component, which takes into account the specifics of defense production and is aimed at the successful execution of a defense order. The practical part will involve the heads of Ukrainian and international defense companies, representatives of customers, military and defense tech experts. The accelerator’s unique value lies in access to a global network of highly qualified mentors and specialists who will provide unique knowledge and skills.
The post-acceleration program aims to prepare companies for future exports and attract foreign investment. Close collaboration with the BRAVE1 Defence Technology Cluster and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine will provide teams with direct support at every stage of contracting and execution, including testing, certification, and codification.
MITS is looking for teams with a working MVP (Minimum Viable Product, TRL 4-6 Levels) or who are as close to a functional product as possible.
The following startup categories will be targeted for acceleration in this phase:
- Ground robotic systems
- Unmanned aerial vehicles
- Unmanned surface vehicles
- Unmanned underwater vehicles
- Electronic warfare (EW)
- Communications, optical, and acoustic reconnaissance equipment
- Military transport
- Mining/demining equipment
- Software, AI, and cybersecurity solutions
- Ammunition
- Equipment for the “soldier of the future”
The organizers state that they aim not only to form a technological defense ecosystem in Ukraine, but also to develop the MITS Venture Fund, which will help startups after acceleration. The fund will focus on startups that have successfully completed the MITS accelerator program and other defense, dual-use and deeptech companies.
