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About the Fund
When Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine disrupted every sector of the country’s economy, the startup ecosystem faced an existential threat. In response, the Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund became a critical lifeline, providing capital, mentorship, and infrastructure so Ukrainian founders could continue building, innovating and creating jobs under extraordinary conditions.
Google launched its first $5 million fund in 2022. In 2024, the second fund — Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund II, managed by 1991 Accelerator as the fund manager — expanded that commitment with another $10 million, bringing Google’s total support for Ukrainian startups to $15 million.
Announced directly by Sundar Pichai to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the second fund transitioned from emergency response to longer-term support, focusing on extending the runway, global expansion, and resilience building. It has become a landmark international initiative sustaining Ukraine’s technology ecosystem.
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Key Results From Fund II
98 selected startups received up to $100,000 in equity-free funding and high-level mentorship from Google and 1991 Accelerator experts to strengthen their products and scale effectively.
By the numbers (programme totals):
- 1,700+ applications received
- 300+ interviews conducted
- 98 startups supported across diverse sectors
Results from cohorts 1–3 of 4:
- $60M+ in follow-on funding raised — over four times Google’s initial $15M allocation
- 250 new jobs created — average team size grew by 40%
- founders doubled their MRR — a 102% increase year-on-year
Beyond Capital: Building Capabilities
The fund’s impact extends far beyond finance. Founders gained access to world-class mentorship in go-to-market strategy, technology infrastructure, fundraising and leadership from Google and 1991 Accelerator experts. Each startup also received up to $350,000 in Google Cloud credits, enabling them to develop secure, scalable products without prohibitive infrastructure costs.
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Looking Ahead
The Google for Startups Ukraine Support Fund II has already reshaped Ukraine’s startup landscape, turning urgent support into lasting capacity. Its results — stronger companies, investor interest and real job creation — show the tech sector advancing even under wartime conditions and laying the groundwork for the country’s future innovation.
The 1991 Accelerator team sincerely thanks Google for entrusting us to manage the second Ukraine Support Fund and for its unwavering commitment to Ukrainian founders. This partnership has enabled ambitious teams to keep building, access world-class expertise and remain visible on the global stage when such support matters most.
