Veterans with IT experience eligible for up to $20,000 in funding: SKELAR opens applications for accelerator

Ukrainian venture builder SKELAR has opened applications for the second cohort of its Veteran Venture Program accelerator. The initiative is designed for veterans transitioning to civilian life who intend to launch or scale their own IT ventures, the company announced.

The programme is free of charge and offers a comprehensive curriculum, mentorship support, and the opportunity to secure up to $20,000 in investment. It is implemented via the SKELAR Foundation with the backing of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Ukrainian Veterans Fund, the Ukrainian Startup Fund, and several veteran-led and civil society organisations.

The programme commences on 21 May, with the application window closing on 14 May. It is tailored for candidates with prior experience in IT or entrepreneurship.

This year’s cohort prioritises the application of AI tools to develop products without expanding teams, automate customer support, and generate marketing content.

Participants will receive:

• Intensive hands-on training: encompassing everything from business model construction to product launch;
• Expert mentorship: guidance from SKELAR specialists and professionals with experience at Meta, Google, and Microsoft;
• Pitching opportunities: the chance to present projects to investors and secure up to $20,000 in funding.

Key modules of the practical component include business model selection, pricing strategies, financial planning, fundraising, grant applications, process automation, and marketing.

The programme spans six months and follows a multi-stage structure, from participant selection and training to project pitching and final demonstrations. Following the inaugural 2025 cohort, several participants successfully launched their own ventures, with the total grant pool reaching $44,000.

Organisers state that upon completion, participants will have functional product prototypes and the opportunity to further scale their businesses within an incubation framework.