The international delegation, headed by Ana Lucía Bueno, ICRC Public Health Coordinator, and Sujit Panda, Head of the Physical Rehabilitation…
The Brave1 grant program has proven its effectiveness in accelerating the creation of technological solutions for Ukraine’s security and defense sector. This is stated in a report by the Accounting Chamber following an audit of the cluster’s activities.
This was reported by First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the Ministry of Digital Transformation has taken on coordination of defense innovation development. Key initiatives include providing Ukraine with Starlink satellite communications, launching the “Army of Drones” project — which evolved into a comprehensive unmanned systems development program — as well as implementing the ePoints system and the “Drone Line” project.
In 2023, the Brave1 cluster was established on the basis of the Innovation Development Fund, bringing together defense technology developers, the military, and government institutions to rapidly create solutions capable of influencing the course of hostilities.
As of today, more than UAH 2.6 billion in grants have been issued through Brave1, over 2,350 developers have been engaged in the cluster, and nearly 4,900 developments have been registered. An innovation support infrastructure has also been formed at all stages — from idea to implementation.
The Accounting Chamber’s report notes that Brave1’s grant support contributes to the formation of new defense technology markets and has a practical effect on the battlefield.
This includes developments in the fields of unmanned aerial vehicles, ground robotic systems, electronic warfare equipment, communications systems, and other technologies.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation noted that the innovation support model through Brave1 is planned to be scaled up, and the Accounting Chamber’s recommendations will be used to further improve the cluster’s work to ensure Ukraine’s technological advantage.
