Deadline: 03-Mar-2026

IdeasLab is a free 13-week accelerator program at the Ukrainian Catholic University that helps Ukrainian students transform ideas into entrepreneurial projects.

The program provides mentorship, practical guidance, market validation, funding of up to UAH 200,000, and participation in hackathons and pitch events. Students gain hands-on experience, develop business strategies, and have opportunities for further acceleration, including with the University of Notre Dame.

IdeasLab is open to students from any Ukrainian or international university, supporting teams of up to five individuals eager to innovate and launch impactful projects.

About IdeasLab

IdeasLab is designed to turn student ideas into real-world entrepreneurial projects through mentorship, funding, and structured guidance.

The program emphasizes:

• Hands-on practice and experimentation

• Mentorship from global and local experts

• Project funding and grant opportunities

• Community building for innovation and collaboration

• Practical development of entrepreneurship skills

Program Focus Areas

IdeasLab supports projects across multiple entrepreneurial domains, including:

• Market Validation: Testing assumptions and assessing market demand

• Customer Development: Understanding target audiences and user needs

• Marketing and Sales Strategies: Developing effective go-to-market approaches

• Entrepreneurship Skills: Practical skills for business creation and management

• Mentorship: Guidance from experienced local and international mentors

• Funding Access: Grants of up to UAH 200,000 for project development

• Hackathons and Pitching Events: Structured opportunities to showcase and validate ideas

• Community Building: Networking with peers and experts to foster collaboration

Program Structure

The 13-week program is divided into structured stages, combining mentoring, practical exercises, and pitch events.

Stage 1: Ideation & Validation

• Identify and validate business hypotheses

• Assess market scale and potential

• Define solutions

• Individual mentoring sessions

• Pitch Day 1: Up to 10 teams selected to continue

Stage 2: Customer Discovery & Development

• In-depth customer discovery

• Refine value propositions

• Support from Lead Mentors

• Week-long offline hackathon at UCU campus

• Pitch Day 2: Up to 5 teams receive a 50,000 UAH grant; remaining teams continue development

Stage 3: Marketing & Go-to-Market

• Test value propositions in real-world scenarios

• Develop marketing and sales strategies

• Final Pitch Day: One team awarded 150,000 UAH grant and potential acceleration at the University of Notre Dame

Post-Program Opportunities

After completing IdeasLab, participants may:

• Join the University of Notre Dame acceleration program

• Attend individual workshops with program lecturers

• Become IdeasLab ambassadors, mentoring future participants

Who Is Eligible?

• Ukrainian students from any field of study

• Students enrolled in any Ukrainian or international university

• Individual participants or teams of up to five people

• Motivated individuals eager to test ideas, take risks, and build innovative projects

How to Apply / How It Works

1. Form a Team (optional) – Up to five participants

2. Submit Application – Share project idea, team background, and goals

3. Participate in Mentorship & Workshops – Receive guidance from expert mentors

4. Pitch and Progress Evaluation – Advance through Pitch Days 1 and 2 based on performance

5. Receive Funding – Grants awarded at Pitch Day 2 and Final Pitch Day

6. Post-Program Support – Access acceleration programs and workshops

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting incomplete project proposals

• Ignoring mentorship opportunities

• Failing to validate market or customer assumptions

• Not participating actively in hackathons or pitch events

• Working in isolation instead of leveraging community and networking

Why It Matters

IdeasLab invests in youth entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth and innovation in Ukraine.

The program:

• Helps students transform ideas into tangible projects

• Provides mentorship and funding for early-stage ventures

• Builds practical business and entrepreneurial skills

• Supports creation of impactful startups contributing to Ukraine’s future

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can participate in IdeasLab?

Ukrainian students from any field of study and any Ukrainian or international university, individually or in teams of up to five.

2. Is IdeasLab free?

Yes. The program is completely free for selected participants.

3. How long does the program last?

The accelerator runs for 13 weeks, including mentoring, workshops, hackathons, and pitch events.

4. What is the maximum grant amount?

Participants can access grants totaling up to 200,000 UAH, with additional funding of 150,000 UAH awarded at the final pitch for one team.

5. Are international students eligible?

Yes, students from any international university are welcome to apply.

6. What kind of support is provided?

Mentorship, project guidance, practical workshops, hackathons, pitch events, and access to funding and networks.

7. Are there opportunities after the program?

Yes, participants may join the University of Notre Dame acceleration program, attend workshops, and become IdeasLab ambassadors.

Conclusion

IdeasLab empowers Ukrainian students to turn ideas into real entrepreneurial projects through mentorship, practical guidance, funding, and a collaborative community.

With structured stages, hands-on support, and access to grants and acceleration programs, IdeasLab ensures that promising student ideas develop into innovative, impactful startups shaping the future of Ukraine.

For more information, visit Ideas Center UCU.