Kyiv Business Intel

Brave1, Ukraine's government-run defense technology accelerator, reached 140 active portfolio companies in March 2026. The cluster was established in April 2023 as a joint initiative of the President's Office, Ministry of Digital Transformation, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Strategic Industries. Brave1 provides registered companies with three primary benefits: simplified access to Ukrainian Armed Forces procurement; eligibility for Brave1 co-investment grants of up to UAH 5 million per company; and regulatory fast-tracking for defense product certification. Companies must be Ukrainian legal entities and must submit products that pass a technical assessment by Ministry of Defense specialists. ## Product categories The 140 portfolio companies span drone systems (41 companies), electronic warfare (22 companies), AI-based intelligence and targeting (19 companies), battlefield medical technology (11 companies), and military logistics and communications (47 companies). The cluster has facilitated over 300 procurement contracts between portfolio companies and the Ukrainian Armed Forces since its establishment.