GREEN CHEMISTRY ACCELERATOR KICKS OFF IN KYIV: 8 STARTUP TEAMS PRESENTED THEIR INNOVATIONS
The three-day kick-off session of the Green Chemistry Accelerator has successfully concluded in Kyiv, bringing together eight startup teams from across Ukraine who showcased their innovative projects in sustainable chemistry. Held in a hybrid format, the event marked the beginning of a three-month journey toward transforming early-stage ideas into scalable, impactful solutions.
The program gathered 18 expert mentors from the businesses, science, ecology, and sustainable development. They attentively listened to each team’s presentation and began considering potential collaborations. According to the program’s concept, however, it is the teams who will choose their mentors — those they believe will best support their growth and development.
During the official opening session, a welcome address was delivered by Onieka OBIOCHA, Director of the GreenChem Accelerator Program at the Yale University Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering. His speech emphasized the global importance of green chemistry and the crucial role of local innovation in building a sustainable future.
The participants were introduced to the Accelerator’s structure, stages, and opportunities during a detailed presentation by Olena Tabachuk, Program Manager of the Green Chemistry Business Accelerator, and Serhii Serhiienko, Operations Manager of the Green Chemistry Business Accelerator. Both are representatives of the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre, the leading organization for the implementation of the program in Ukraine.
The event also featured professional video and photo documentation, capturing key moments, dynamic exchanges, and the energy of the participating teams.
The Green Chemistry Accelerator is an intensive program designed to support startups at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1–3 that are working on:
- Developing safer chemical materials and substances,
- Optimizing chemical processes,
- Increasing the efficiency and environmental safety of production,
- Creating technologies for carbon emissions reduction and environmental protection.
Participants will benefit from:
- Training modules focused on business development and product competitiveness;
- Personalized mentoring from seasoned professionals;
- Оpportunities for funding through investor and partner engagement;
- International networking with organizations and companies working in green chemistry and sustainability.
The program is tailored for those who apply the principles of green chemistry in creating safer materials, processes, and products. Startups from related fields are also welcome to join, provided their projects align with these principles.
The Accelerator is organized by the Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production Centre in partnership with Sikorsky Challenge Ukraine, as part of the UNIDO Global GreenChem Innovation and Network Program, with financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
