Free audit and consultations for innovative startups - we launch Sandbox for testing AI and blockchain technologies

The Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ukrainian Startup Fund have launched the Sandbox project for AI and blockchain startups. Participants will be able to receive a free audit of their product, advice and recommendations on legal, business and technical components. 

The goal is to strengthen the startup ecosystem and create favourable legislation for the development of AI and blockchain in Ukraine, using the experience of the companies participating in the project.

"Sandbox is a win-win project for the state and the startup ecosystem. Startups can test and improve their innovative products for free with the support of top industry experts, and the state can keep up with innovative solutions, including those for the public sector. The project's goal is to create simple, clear, and effective legislation based on the experience and needs of tech startups in the AI and blockchain space. Thanks to favourable conditions, Ukraine will be able to turn into a global hub for testing technologies," said Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development and Minister of Digital Transformation.

Ukrainian companies that create AI and blockchain products for public administration, healthcare, agriculture, education and defence, digital economy, and general infrastructure, such as transport, energy, etc. can become Sandbox participants.

"There are currently more than 2,600 startups in Ukraine - even during the war, the ecosystem is developing. 18% of them were created after the full-scale invasion. With Sandbox, we will develop AI and blockchain as strategic technologies for the state. In the Sandbox, startups will be able to scale, increase their investment attractiveness for foreign investors and enter international markets thanks to compliance with EU legislation," said Oleksandr Borniakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for IT Development.

What kind of assistance does Sandbox provide:

• Legal - experts will assess the product's compliance with the requirements of national and international legislation in the field of innovation. The focus is on copyright protection, compliance with the European AI Act, protection and processing of personal data, intellectual property rights, etc.

• Business - startups will receive consultations on their business model, as well as financial planning, income and expense analysis, etc.

• Technical analysis of the technology - experts will test the correctness of AI and blockchain technologies in products and give recommendations for technical enhancements.

Audit and consultations at Sandbox will be provided by specialised AI and blockchain experts, including business analysts, lawyers, and technology experts. These are specialists with specialised education and extensive experience in their field. If necessary, the team will involve narrow-profile experts, such as specialists from the medical, educational, and agricultural sectors, as well as representatives of public authorities.

It is important that all data on the testing of a high-tech product, including identified risks and details about the technology, remain confidential and are available only to the participating company.

The programme is being launched as a pilot project and will run until October 2026. If the results of the project are positive and there is still demand from companies, the Sandbox will become a permanent tool to support innovation in Ukraine.

To participate in the project, you need to apply on the website of the Ukrainian Startup Fund.

The Sandbox project is being implemented by the Ministry of Digital Transformation and the Ukrainian Startup Fund with the support of the UK Digitalisation for Growth, Integrity and Transparency (UK DIGIT) project, implemented by the Eurasia Foundation and funded by UK Dev.