Communitech, Ukrainian Startup Fund, and the Ontario Centre of Innovation sign MOU on World Innovation Day

April 21, 2023

Communitech, Ukrainian Startup Fund, and the Ontario Centre of Innovation signed an MOU to collaborate on a Canada-Ukraine Security Innovation Challenge. 

TORONTO, April 21, 2023 – Today, to highlight World Innovation Day and to deepen the collaboration between Canada and Ukraine, the Canada-Ukraine Security Innovation Challenge (CUSIC) has been established. This challenge will be a collaborative effort between Communitech, the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), and the Ukrainian Startup Fund, among other partners.

Tech companies in Canada and Ukraine will be invited to participate in a bilateral competition and showcase that will bring together tech entrepreneurs from both countries to work on innovative solutions that will strengthen Canada and Ukraine’s technological expertise and could shape the future of national, economic, and climate security. 

“We are thrilled to launch the Canada-Ukraine Security Innovation Challenge with our partners as a testament to the power of collaboration between our two nations.  By leveraging innovative and leading-edge solutions from Canadian and Ukrainian entrepreneurs, we can address critical national, economic, and climate security challenges.  At the Ontario Centre of Innovation, we are committed to accelerating the development and adoption of new technologies that can truly make an impact on the global stage.” – Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO of the Ontario Centre of Innovation

“Communitech is proud to participate in the Canada-Ukraine Security Innovation Challenge and work to connect founders in Canada’s innovation economy with opportunities that have the potential to strengthen technological excellence in both countries while also shaping the future of modern global security. This initiative is another example of our ecosystem’s commitment to harnessing the power of collaboration and using Tech For Good™.” – Joel Semeniuk, Chief Strategy Officer at Communitech

“We are pleased to launch together with partners the Canada-Ukraine Security Innovation Challenge. Being a country with a digitalization attitude, we deeply believe that the future of national, economic and climate security belongs to the solutions invented by creative minds, entrepreneurs and tech leaders. For the Ukrainian Startup Fund as a national tech ecosystem builder, this project helps to scale and expand the opportunities for the Ukrainian startup teams developing cutting-edge solutions which could tackle the global challenges today and tomorrow. We are also grateful to Den Herman for his assistance in making our connection happen. Together, we can empower the next generation of innovators to build a better world. ” – Pavlo Kartashov, CEO of the Ukrainian Startup Fund.

More information on the Challenge will be released in the coming weeks.

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation:
The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) brings industry, academic, and government partners together to invest in collaborative R&D, technology development, and commercialization opportunities that generate the highest return on innovation for Ontarians. As an ecosystem connector, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly skilled talent.
OCI drives economic growth and job creation through investments in the development, commercialization, and adoption of advanced technologies. For more information: https://www.oc-innovation.ca

About Communitech:
Established in 1997 in Waterloo Region, Communitech was built by tech founders who saw the need for a community of support to help ensure the future prosperity of Canada. Today, Communitech is Canada’s leading innovation hub, supporting a community of more than 1,200 founders by providing accelerated opportunities to access talent, capital and sales.
As Canada’s tech supercharger, Communitech helps founders start, grow and succeed by:
● Hiring and retaining the smartest, brightest and most experienced people
● Accessing growth financing at every stage
● Selling to the biggest customers at home and around the world
● Connecting the right people at the right time – peers who have been there before, coaches who can guide them through the difficult spots and partners from all over Canada

About Ukrainian Startup Fund:
UKRAINIAN STARTUP FUND is the one-of-a-kind state institution that helps innovative projects and technology startups raise funds at the early stages and launch their projects. The fund is the driver of the startup ecosystem development, provides conditions for the growth of the sector, creates a positive investment image of the Ukrainian tech industry abroad, and represents Ukrainian innovative solutions around the world.

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Media Inquiries
Alicia Pereira, Director of Communications, Ontario Centre of Innovation 
apereira@oc-innovation.ca