Denys Shmyhal: The state will support startups and training of specialists in IT sector

Within the scope of the eRobota project the Cabinet of Ministers has adopted a grant program to promote the development of IT sector and startups in high technologies area, told the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Head of Government, the state will allocate UAH 750,000 to UAH 3,500,000 for relevant startups. The Ukrainian Startup Fund will administer this program.

“The main funding criteria: the creation of 5 jobs, as well as the emphasis on the development of new technologies and solutions. Ukraine is a country with a living innovation environment. Ukraine is a country with huge potential for innovative business. It is crucial for us to maintain such economic capacity of our state,” emphasized Denys Shmyhal.

Moreover, the Cabinet of Ministers has launched a Start in IT program – providing scholarships in the amount of UAH 30,000 for training and obtaining skills of a junior developer, data analyst or graphic designer.

“This program is not for students, and not for IT professionals. This program is for people who have previous work experience, but now, for example, have lost this job or are idle and want to learn new skills for a new career. The state provides such an opportunity. In recent years, IT professionals have become a real middle class in Ukraine, so we are interested in their number only increasing,” stressed the Prime Minister.

Funds within the framework of the Start in IT program can only be spent on school or courses to be determined by the Ministry of Digital Transformation. In total, the state will provide an opportunity to start a career in IT for 60,000 Ukrainians. The total budget of the program is UAH 1.8 billion.

In total, the Government has showcased six grant programs this week. They are the basis of a major eRobota project, which will allow anyone who has the desire, skills and plan to start their own business, expand their small or medium-sized business, and start a new career. Gradually, in the Diia there will appear an opportunity and details on how to apply for each of these grant projects.