Matchmaking event “Іnnovation-2019”

On August 27, 2019 EEN-Ukraine, namely the Institute of Physics of NAS of Ukraine and IT-company SoftServe organized the 2nd International matchmaking event “Innovation-2019”. The event was held in Lviv at the National University of Lviv Polytechnic. It has become the venue for B2B, B2S meetings of representatives from 20 countries, experts from Europe, and the culmination of the event was the finale of the national startup competition.

The event was opened by Natalia Chukhray – Vice-Rector of the National University, Yaroslav Lubinets – founder of SoftServe company, and Olena Fesenko – Coordinator of the EEN-Ukraine Consortium.

The event consisted of three parts. The first part was aimed at analyzing the current situation regarding the possibilities of supporting the development of science and innovation through European integration, EU programs, newly created funds (National Research Fund and Ukrainian Startup Fund), discussing the implementation of the strategy of innovative development of Ukraine.

The second session was devoted to exploring the experience of creating innovative infrastructure in Ukraine and in the world. Speakers from Europe spoke and shared innovative approaches in the joint development of business and science. In particular, Philippe Mariani – CEO of the Sofia Antipolis Foundation; Yaroslav Lubinec – Head of SoftServe company; Neno Rakic ​​- Head of Research, Development and Innovation of the Croatian Agency for SMEs; Daniel Jach – a member of the Berlin-based startup and entrepreneurs community; Oleksandr Bakovsky – consultant on hi-tech technologies; Justin Taruska is CEO of Nando Europe and Unbored startups.

The final part of the event consisted of a national startup competition, which included the following Ukrainian projects:

1. Electric bicycle from Delfast.
2. “Space Cossaks drone” is a long-term and high-atmospheric drone.
3. Solar Gaps, an innovative solar panel company.
4. Disposable dishes project on replacement of disposable plastic tableware with environmentally friendly material made from feed crop waste.
5. Recycling technologies project on waste recycling.
6. Mobile application “Lingart. Future book ”for quick language learning and general language enhancement.
7. Skyworker HR project for quick and effective employee search.
8. The Tone Project, designed to help visually impaired people receive information about specific events through a special clock.

While the contest participants and guests were able to enjoy the performance of the Symphony Orchestra of Students at Lviv Polytechnic National University, the winners of the competition were selected by the jury in the face of European experts:

1st place – Solar Gaps project.

2nd place – Lingart. Future book.

3rd place – Skyworker project.

4th place – Delfast Project.

The main prize for the 1st place, was a trip and presentation of its development at an international startup competition in Portugal. It was given by SoftServe company.

The end of the day was attended by all participants of the event House of Scientists with the evening program.