A pilot project called Sandbox has been launched in Ukraine, allowing innovative startups to receive free expertise in developing products based on artificial intelligence and blockchain. The initiative is intended to contribute to the creation of modern regulation and transform Ukraine into a testing ground for advanced technologies.
A pilot project called Sandbox has been launched in Ukraine, allowing innovative startups to receive free expertise in developing products based on artificial intelligence and blockchain. The initiative is intended to contribute to the creation of modern regulation and transform Ukraine into a testing ground for advanced technologies.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the project is being implemented by the Ministry of Digital Transformation together with the Ukrainian Startup Fund. Its participants will receive a free product audit, consultations and step-by-step recommendations from experts in the legal, business and technical fields. The assessment covers compliance with legislation, financial model and technology operation.
Participants can be Ukrainian startups that create AI or blockchain solutions for key areas — public administration, education, medicine, defense, digital economy, energy, transport, etc. Companies will receive:
Consultations are provided by specialized specialists — lawyers, technologists, business analysts, and, if necessary, experts from agriculture, medicine, education, or public administration are involved. All inspection results and confidential information remain available only to the participating company.
To participate in Sandbox, you need to submit an application on the website of the Ukrainian Startup Fund.
As of 2024, there are over 2,600 startups in Ukraine, and about 18% of them have emerged since the start of the full-scale war. The Sandbox project aims to strengthen their competitiveness, in particular through compliance with European standards, which opens up access to foreign markets and investors. The program will operate at least until October 2026, and if positive results are achieved, it may become a permanent initiative to support high-tech businesses. You can apply through the website of the Ukrainian Startup Fund.
Previously, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, together with experts, developed recommendations for the «responsible development of technological systems with artificial intelligence.» This is a collection of tips that will help startups implement AI in their products and services, as well as tools for developing such solutions.
