BOOST: Green Futures Challenge

The BOOST: Green Futures Challenge is a fast-paced acceleration programme supporting bold, green innovations from startups and ventures in Ukraine and Moldova. Backed by UNDP, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland and local partners, this initiative aims to support businesses that are reshaping the future through green tech, circular economy models, and digital solutions – building resilience and driving sustainable recovery. This is your opportunity to turn bold ideas into impactful solutions – through expert-led training, mentorship, and financial support! 

Green recovery isn’t just about rebuilding. It’s about transforming and empowering businesses to lead the way. In the face of war, climate crisis, and economic disruption, we must design solutions that are cleaner, smarter, and more resilient. 

• In Ukraine, green recovery means shifting from outdated, carbon-heavy systems to renewable and eco-innovative models. 

• In Moldova, it means tackling energy and food insecurity while laying the groundwork for economic independence and environmental resilience. 

Watch this step-by-step video on how to apply on UNDP’s platform. Candidates are invited to submit their full application by June 1, 2025 (see section below to learn more about the process). If you missed it, take a look at our LIVE Q&A session to learn more about the programme.

Project co-financed within the framework of the Polish development cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland

BOOST: Green Futures Challenge – Quick Overview (English)

BOOST: Green Futures Challenge – Quick Overview (Romanian)

BOOST: Green Futures Challenge – Quick Overview (Ukrainian)

We are looking for startups and ventures that: 

• are legally registered in Moldova and Ukraine and have up to 50 employees; 

• have a proven track record in developing and/or scaling products; 

• offer solutions responding to challenges related to war (displacement, infrastructure collapse, wellbeing) as well as economic disruption. 

Joint applications (e.g., partnerships between Ukrainian & Moldovan businesses) are also encouraged. 

We seek scalable, innovative solutions that address one or more of the below key innovation areas:  

1. Energy security & sustainable power 
2. Circular economy & sustainable business models 
3. Climate-resilient infrastructure & urban development 
4. Green finance & impact investment 
5. Services related to recovery and resilience (E.g. health and care)  

Applicants must:

• be a registered company/enterprise in Ukraine or Moldova;
• have an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or working prototype;
• be committed to actively participate in the acceleration programme.

Based on these criteria, interested applicants will be invited to proceed to the second stage of the application process. 

• Innovation: Unique and impactful solutions 
• Scalability: Growth potential and market fit 
• Feasibility: Realistic implementation and clear objectives 
• Impact: Economic, social, and environmental benefits 
• Team strength: Experienced, committed, and capable leadership 

Applying for the BOOST: Green Futures Challenge is a simple two-step process. Follow the timeline below to submit your application and take the first step toward scaling your green innovation. The application process includes two stages: an expression of interest (phase 1), followed by a full application for interested candidates (phase 2).  

Step 1: Submit your expression of interest by May 8 by filling out this form. If you were not able to submit your expression of interest, you can still submit a full application (see Step 2).

Step 2: Interested candidates can submit a full application by June 1 on UNDP’s platform. It includes:  

• A detailed proposal explaining your innovative solutions and business model. 
• A video pitch (2-3 minutes) introducing your team and showcasing your innovation and its potential for green recovery and resilience.  

Watch this step-by-step video on how to apply on UNDP’s platform. A total of 40 participants will be selected and announced in early June and invited to join the acceleration programme!

• Teodor Petričević | Accelerator Lead, UNDP Europe and Central Asia: Teodor, with over two decades of experience, excels in impact business development and social entrepreneurship across Europe and the MENA region. At UNDP, he leads various acceleration programs and development initiatives, incorporating emerging tech solutions, including blockchain, to drive social impact and enhance operational and financial sustainability. He has established strategic partnerships with blockchain actors to develop initiatives like the Blockchain Academy and the SDG Blockchain Accelerator. Main focus areas/expertise: Impact ventures, innovation ecosystems, blockchain for development, social entrepreneurship, impact measurement.

• Yevheniia Polishchuk | Innovation Expert and Ecosystem Builder, UNDP Europe and Central Asia: As part of the BOOST: Green Futures Challenge, Yevheniia connects startups with mentors, industry partners, and cross-border opportunities. She brings experience from UNDP Ukraine, where she supported SMEs during the COVID-19 crisis and war, as well as research experience at the MIT Cryptoeconomics Lab. Active in the Polish innovation ecosystem, she also supports research in green and digital finance at the Krakow University of Economics. Main focus areas/expertise: Green and digital finance, startup support, innovation ecosystems, cross-border collaboration, crisis resilience.
• Karolina Ewa Wojtas | Director of Strategic Development at Everix; Venture Partner at Eurazeo Ventures: Karolina, among the Top 100 Women in VC in Central and Eastern Europe, has previously worked as an Investment Manager at Icos Capital, focusing on deeptech and sustainability across Europe. A co-founder of a medtech startup, she is also a frequent speaker, trainer, and mentor at over 50 events. Main focus areas/expertise: Venture capital, deeptech, sustainability investing, medtech, startup scaling.
• Iara Comunello Martins | Impact Manager at Goparity: Iara oversees the impact of over 400 projects in the Goparity investment portfolio. She leads both pre-funding assessments and post-financing monitoring to ensure transparency and positive outcomes. Main focus areas/expertise: Impact investing, sustainability finance, project due diligence, portfolio monitoring.
• Domagoj Boljar | Co-founder and CEO, Earthbound: Domagoj is the co-founder and CEO of Earthbound, the first Croatian B Corp certified company revolutionizing the footwear industry with radically ecological sneakers. With over 15 years of experience and a background in Entrepreneurship Economics, he merges sustainability with innovative business strategy. His work focuses on transforming fashion into a circular and ethical industry. Main focus areas/expertise: Circular economy, sustainable fashion, business innovation, ethical entrepreneurship.
• Anna Magiera | Core Team Member, ICLUB: Anna has over 18 years of experience in corporate finance, venture capital, and startups, with a strong network across Central and Eastern Europe. She has held leadership roles at EY, PwC, and several VC and CVC funds, mentoring over 250 startups. She currently helps lead ICLUB, the largest angel investment network in Europe. Anna is also active with Techstars Berlin, Plug and Play, and Startup Hub Poland. Main focus areas/expertise: Startup funding, angel investing, financial modeling, business strategy, founder mentoring.
• Kseniia Bliumska-Danko | Assistant Professor, Sumy National Agrarian University, Ukraine: Kseniia has over 10 years of experience as Head of PR at Sumy National Agrarian University, and is also a researcher at the University Paris-Saclay, France. She is an Erasmus project grant executor, and mentors startups through the SEEDs project by the UN Global Compact. Her research focuses on consumer preferences for products aligned with sustainable development, and she has authored over 40 scientific articles, taught branding, PR, marketing, and public speaking to international students, and led personal branding workshops across Europe. Main focus areas/expertise: Branding, PR, marketing, public speaking.
• Louise Skärvall | BOOST Accelerator Lead, UNDP Europe and Central Asia: Louise works for UNDP’s regional innovation team, supporting the City Experiment Fund and BOOST, an impact acceleration program. Drawing on her experience with the Armenia SDG Innovation Lab, Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, and IMC Worldwide, she uses innovative and entrepreneurial approaches to develop and finance high-impact initiatives. Main focus areas/expertise: pitching.
• Svetla Baeva | Strategic communications lead, UNDP Europe and Central Asia: She has an academic background in political science and communications/journalism, with a Master’s degree from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Svetla has over 12 years of experience in the field of communications,  creative campaigning and impact storytelling, with a number of successful campaigns and initiatives in the region. She is also a 2018 Fulbright Scholar, and as part of the program, she joined Change.org to explore digital advocacy campaigning practices and people mobilization. Main focus areas/expertise: strategic communications, storytelling, campaigning.
• Bartek Ostrowski | President, International Partnership Foundation: Bartek is the President of the Board of the International Partnership Foundation, which focuses on international cooperation in the areas of supporting innovation, startups, local government–business cooperation, technology transfer, and the development of technology and industrial parks. The Foundation regularly collaborates with partners in Ukraine. Bartek is an advisor to the Lower Silesian Chamber of Commerce on international affairs, particularly cooperation with Ukraine. In the past, he served as the plenipotentiary for international cooperation of the Wrocław Technology Park, as well as the head of the Lower Silesia Representation to the EU in Brussels, and as the head of international cooperation for the Lower Silesia Regional Authority. Main focus areas/expertise: International cooperation, startup ecosystems, innovation support, technology transfer, regional development.
• Agnieszka Suchwałko | COO & Co-founder, QuantUp: Agnieszka is the COO and co-founder of QuantUp, a company delivering AI solutions that solve real-world problems across industries. With over 15 years of experience in data science and digital innovation, she bridges the gap between complex technology and business value. Her work spans from infrastructure safety and retail optimization to responsible AI practices and product strategy. She regularly collaborates with research teams and SMEs to help them navigate digital transformation without falling into the buzzword trap. Main focus areas/expertise: Data science, AI solutions, digital innovation, responsible AI, product strategy.
• Krzysztof Nawelski | Business Trainer, Innovation Coach & Facilitator: Krzysztof is a business trainer, innovation coach and facilitator, enthusiast of social and technological innovation, and a methodologist specializing in agile, human-centered design methods. He facilitates and moderates teamwork using approaches such as design thinking, outcome-driven innovation, lean startup, agile, scrum, and lean UX. He is a seasoned practitioner in the fields of innovation and human resources management, with over 20 years of professional experience in international corporations. Since 1998, he has worked for manufacturing companies in the automotive, pharmaceutical, and service sectors. As an Innovation Director, he was responsible for implementing a culture of innovation, collaborating with startups and fintechs, as well as overseeing scouting services and financial solution development. Main focus areas/expertise: Innovation coaching, human-centered design, design thinking, corporate innovation.
• Katarzyna Kowal | Senior Start-up Specialist, Concordia Design Accelerator: Katarzyna is an innovation and commercialization expert with over 15 years of experience bridging research, technology, and business. She currently supports early-stage ventures as a Senior Start-up Specialist at Concordia Design Accelerator, helping them anticipate market trends and build future-ready strategies. Previously, she led the Technology Transfer Division, overseeing IP, R&D collaborations, and deep-tech commercialization. With a background in biomedical engineering and international experience in both academia and industry, she brings a strategic and hands-on approach to fostering innovation in SMEs. Main focus areas/expertise: Innovation and commercialization, technology transfer, deep-tech, early-stage ventures, SME innovation.