Ukraine seeks innovators for GovTech Lab

Ukraine has launched its first GovTech Lab open call, inviting start-ups and innovators worldwide to co-develop digital solutions with government institutions.

The initiative, led by the Global Government Technology Centre (GGTC) in Kyiv together with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the World Economic Forum, and Switzerland’s EGAP programme, is designed to strengthen the country’s resilience since Russia’s invasion in 2022, and accelerate its recovery post-war.

The call runs until 28 October 2025, with proposals sought in three areas: urban planning, legal advice for citizens, and tourism management. Nine teams will be selected and announced in November, with each receiving up to €150,000 in funding and direct access to decision-makers.

“We wanted challenges that align with national priorities and respond to pressing needs,” Kateryna Frolova, Head of Innovation Gateway at GGTC Kyiv, told Cities Today. She explained that feasibility, innovation potential, and scalability guided the selection, which was validated by an advisory board of government and community representatives.

Building solutions that scale

The first challenge asks how technology can make architectural and construction decisions faster and more transparent. The second focuses on digital assistants capable of providing routine legal advice, while ensuring more complex cases can still be escalated to lawyers. The third seeks a tourism management system that uses data to improve revenues, guarantee fair competition, and widen access to services.

Beyond funding, the Lab offers structural support. Start-ups will take part in an Innovation Bootcamp led by domain experts and policymakers, gain mentorship from experienced GovTech practitioners, and receive guidance on procurement, standards, and data governance.

Frolova stressed that the programme is designed to help innovators overcome barriers to adoption. “Start-ups will receive more than just pilot funding,” she said. “On top of that, they will benefit from international visibility through the GGTC Kyiv and World Economic Forum networks, opening doors for cross-border replication. Finally, there will be structured opportunities to connect with donors, investors, and European institutions that can finance scaling beyond the pilot stage.”

Impact will be measured not simply by pilots delivered, but by whether solutions are taken up by government agencies and embedded into practice.

Frolova underlined this focus: “The true value lies not just in testing ideas, but in institutionalising successful pilots so that they lead to lasting improvements for citizens and governance.”

She added that the initiative also seeks to instil a culture of open innovation in the public sector, a cultural shift that may take years to fully observe but is seen as vital to long-term transformation.

A testbed for global innovators

The Lab is open to international start-ups, which will be supported in navigating Ukraine’s regulatory environment, connecting with government agencies, and receiving feedback from real users. Ukraine’s rapid digital reforms and strong political will create fewer barriers and faster feedback loops than many European markets.

“Ukraine offers something unique compared to other European contexts,” said Frolova. “This creates an unparalleled opportunity to prove impact in a complex, real-world environment–and to scale those solutions both within Ukrainian institutions and across Europe.”

Russia’s invasion has left Ukraine facing immense challenges in governance, infrastructure, and public services. By positioning government institutions as active partners in innovation, the GovTech Lab aims to turn these pressures into an opportunity to rebuild smarter and more transparently. The programme is framed not just as a response to wartime needs, but as a foundation for long-term resilience.

Main image: Dudlajzov | Dreamstime.com