The BOOST accelerator will pour up to €2 million into startups across Ukraine and Moldova, targeting sectors from cyber‑defence to green energy.
Launched this week by a coalition of NGOs and NATO‑linked donors, the open call invites 30 early‑stage ventures to compete for seed grants, mentorship, and access to Western markets.
What is the BOOST accelerator?
BOOST stands for “Building Resilient, Open, Sustainable Technologies.” It is a six‑month program that pairs selected founders with senior engineers from NATO member countries, provides a €50‑000 cash award, and guarantees a pilot project with at least one European partner.
The call closed on June 20, 2026; applications received over 200 proposals, according to the project’s website.
Why does this matter?
Ukraine’s war‑zone economy has lost more than 30 % of its pre‑conflict GDP, while Moldova faces a refugee influx of over 300 000 people. By injecting capital and expertise, BOOST could preserve brain‑power that would otherwise flee, keeping a pipeline of innovation alive for Western investors.
“A resilient tech ecosystem can become a strategic asset for security and reconstruction,” reads the program brief, which cites NATO’s own analysis that cyber‑capabilities reduce the cost of post‑conflict rebuilding by up to 15 %.
Beyond geopolitical stakes, the accelerator promises tangible benefits for consumers: new low‑cost renewable‑energy solutions, safer communication tools, and agricultural tech that could boost food security for displaced families.
Who can apply?
Start‑ups must be incorporated in Ukraine or Moldova, have a team of fewer than 15 people, and be working on any of the following tracks: cyber‑security, defence tech, climate‑tech, health‑tech, or digital infrastructure.
Selected teams will join a cohort in Chișinău for a three‑week boot‑camp, followed by remote mentorship from NATO experts based in Brussels, Berlin, and Washington.
What happens next?
The final jury, composed of representatives from the European Innovation Council, NATO’s Science & Technology Organisation, and two regional NGOs, will announce winners on August 15. Grants will be disbursed in two tranches, with the second release tied to milestones such as a functional prototype or a commercial partnership.
For anyone watching the intersection of conflict and technology, BOOST offers a live case study of how war‑time urgency can accelerate civilian innovation.
Stay tuned as the first cohort begins testing prototypes—potentially shaping the next wave of European defence and climate solutions.
Read more about related initiatives in the war‑geopolitics and technology and AI sections.