Kyiv School of Economics opens applications for Smart Force Academy 2.0 for defence manufacturers

Kyiv School of Economics has opened its second intake for the Smart Force Academy platform for Ukrainian defence and dual-use manufacturers. SFA 2.0 will include a core programme, short training courses, individual consultations, and more, all focused on business development.

The programmes’ lecturers and speakers include Himera co-founder Mykhailo Rudominski, Dragon Capital investment director Yan Tretiak, Darknode battalion commander Oleksandr Yarmak, Spetstechnoexport acting director Oleksandr Fedoryshyn and others.

The programme is built around participation in the Kolo community, where owners and managers of defence companies hold offline meetings with each other, military personnel, the state, and investors, find partners, discuss challenges, and more. Participation in the community costs UAH42,000 per year.

In addition to Kolo, SFA 2.0 offers an ecosystem of training programmes. Participants can choose the format themselves, depending on their needs:

• Vyshkil – a three-month MBA intensive focused on company development;
• Maisternia – shorter programmes across various areas, such as management, procurement and R&D;
• Sekrety Otamana – an individual programme tailored to a company’s request;
• Svitova Nauka – a programme where participants meet and engage with representatives of international companies.

The annual cycle of the first Smart Force Academy concluded in June this year. It involved 385 representatives from 199 defence companies, for whom 46 training days were held.