Natalia Kushnerska resigns as Director of the Innovation Development Fund – who will lead the Brave1 cluster?

Natalia Kushnerska is stepping down as Director of the Innovation Development Fund, which includes the Brave1 defence cluster and the Ukrainian Startup Fund (USF). She will continue to work within the Ministry of Digital Transformation, though her future role and project have not yet been disclosed.

Viktor Rudenko will take over as acting director of the Innovation Development Fund. He has more than 15 years of experience in public administration, including roles at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development. Since 2022, as an expert with Digital for Freedom and EGAP, he has contributed to the development of regulatory frameworks enabling state procurement of innovative weapons.

Rudenko will focus on strengthening the fund’s institutional capacity, scaling Brave1’s areas of activity, and implementing business processes to accelerate the deployment of new technologies. Additionally, the Ukrainian Startup Fund will place greater emphasis on practical solutions for agriculture, healthcare, security and other critical sectors.

Andriy Hrytsenyuk, an expert with over 20 years of experience in IT, digital transformation and crisis management, is also joining the Brave1 team. He has previously held IT director roles at leading banks and was named Chief Information Officer of the Year in 2022 by The Banker (UK). Since 2023, he has worked with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, leading the development of projects including Diia, Mriia, eOselya, military bonds, and online marriage services.

At Brave1, Hrytsenyuk will be responsible for identifying, developing and scaling technologies for frontline use, as well as coordinating with the government, the General Staff and military units.

The Innovation Development Fund was established on 1 February 2025 through the merger of the Ukrainian Startup Fund, which supported civilian projects, and Brave1, which focused on defence initiatives. The Fund was headed by Kushnerska, who had led Brave1 since 2023.

Since 2023, 1,500 defence-tech companies with over 3,500 developments have joined Brave1. The cluster has become a hub for defence technology start-ups seeking grants, partnerships, and advice on government contracts. Since its launch, Brave1 has awarded over 470 grants totalling UAH 1.3 billion. The budget for 2025 stands at UAH 3 billion.