On Sunday, November 23, Greencubator hosted the inaugural Cleantech Sunday — a gathering of the green innovation ecosystem bringing together startups, investors, experts, and industry partners. This event marked the conclusion of the first stage of the Global Cleantech Innovation Program 2.0 (GCIP 2.0) accelerator in Ukraine, which is implemented by UNIDO in 17 countries worldwide with the support of the GEF (Global Environment Facility). Greencubator serves as the implementation partner for GCIP 2.0 in Ukraine.
Cleantech Sunday brought together Ukrainian innovators developing solutions for energy independence, decarbonisation, and sustainable development. The event also attracted venture and energy investors, as well as leaders of green businesses previously supported by Greencubator.
GCIP Ukraine 2.0 Finalist Startups
Fifteen startups presented their graduation pitches on the Cleantech Sunday stage at UNIT.City. These companies operate in solar energy, eco-housing, eco-furniture, biotechnology and new materials, clean water, electromobility, eco-cosmetics, and logistics.
Six of these startups, including SPOGAD, Re[Sens], and Mycelia Tech, are led by female founders, demonstrating the growing role of women in the development of cleantech in Ukraine.
Cleantech Sunday Jury
The finalists were evaluated by:
- Mariia Alipatova, Head of KSE Startup Ecosystem;
- Roman Puchko, Co-founder and Director of ReThink, Board Member of the RISE Ukraine and Build Ukraine Back Better (BUBB) coalitions;
- Nataliia Veremieieva, Director of TechUkraine.
Winners
Based on the jury’s decision, the winners of the GCIP Ukraine 2.0 advanced accelerator are:
- 1st Place: Sirocco Energy, developers of patented linear wind generators with low noise and vibration levels designed for suburban and industrial areas.
- 2nd Place: MELT WATER Inc., developers of smart water purification devices using freezing technology for homes and businesses.
- 3rd Place: Briller.House, creators of quick-assembly carbon-negative houses, offices, and hotel pods using digital technology and CNC part processing.
Investors and InvestorConnect
Following the pitches, the startups met with investors:
- Vlad Tislenko, Partner at SMRK VC Fund;
- Olena Obukhova, Mentor and Startup Evaluation Specialist at FundingBox;
- Dmytro Kuzmenko, CEO of UVCA;
- Dmytro Lukomskyi, Head of the Solar Energy Investment Attraction Committee and Founder of Avenston.
These speed-dating format meetings provided startups with the opportunity to receive recommendations and discuss potential collaboration, grants, and investments.
About the GCIP Ukraine 2.0 Advanced Accelerator
The GCIP Ukraine 2.0 program lasted 4 months and included 16 training modules covering the entire startup development journey: from goal setting, organisational development, and customer discovery to finance, marketing, sales, pilots, climate impact, manufacturing, partnerships, and scaling strategies.
The program involved 25 experts and mentors from leading companies and organisations, including Esper Bionics, Yamaha Motors, Amazon, Ajax Systems, Citadel, PROS, Streamline, Eleks, Green Transition Office, as well as founders of rekava, S.lab, Carbominer, Deus Robotics, and representatives from LCF Law Group, Delamark, Manageable Agency, Enablers School, Arriba! Creative Agency, and lecturers from KSE and UCU.
The program winners will represent Ukraine on the main stage of Cleantech Days in Vienna — an international event by UNIDO that brings together innovators, entrepreneurs, investors, and scientists from 20 countries to exchange experiences and find solutions in the cleantech sector.
Partners:
- Media Partners: Mind.ua, SPEKA, and ShoTam?
- Legal Partner: LCF Group
- Innovation Partner: UNIT.City
