Launch of K4 Program for Military Startups
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine introduces the new initiative K4 Startup Studio, aimed at supporting startups in the field of artificial intelligence for military needs. The primary goal of the program is to create innovative solutions that will provide a technological advantage on the battlefield. This initiative is being implemented with the support of the German Federal Ministry of Defense and the Office of Efficient Regulation.
K4 is a new format of cooperation between the state and entrepreneurs: the program connects developers, military experts, and world-class mentors.
The Ministry of Defense has outlined 4 key challenges that address military needs. Teams can submit their solutions according to these directions, as well as propose their own AI ideas for the defense sector. Detailed information about the challenges can be found at k4.mod.gov.ua.
Selection of participants will take place in several stages. Up to 10 teams will be selected for the program, of which 4 will receive grants of $250,000 for each technological solution. Teams will undergo evaluation twice – by a specially formed Grant Committee that includes military experts and direct users of new technologies.
Each team will first go through a 4-month intensive development program: mentorship from leading Ukrainian and international experts, battlefield testing of their solutions, and feedback directly from military personnel. After that, there will be 6 months of individual support, which is expected to end with attracting investments or signing a government procurement contract.
The K4 Startup Studio model is based on the best practices of accelerators. The main advantage for startups is direct contact with the end user and the ability to scale their solutions into a real defense system. For investors, it provides quick access to technologies tested in combat conditions.
“In Ukraine, artificial intelligence is already undergoing combat testing. We are not just adapting – we are setting trends. We have real examples of effective use of AI in combat conditions, which is why we believe in this direction and attract partners to invest in Ukrainian developments. K4 is a program for those who are ready to turn their code into weapons in the hands of our defenders,” said Kateryna Chernogorenko, Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Development.
Applications can be submitted until August 15, 2025, at k4.mod.gov.ua.
We invite developers and investors to collaborate with us to ensure that their innovations make a real impact on the battlefield. K4 is your entry point into technologies that are changing the rules of war.
