From November, 3 to November, 13, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” held the IX Festival of Innovation Projects Sikorsky Challenge 2020.
The festival was held online and was divided into two main events, the Competition of Startups and the Forum “The development of innovative economics in the regional, national and international aspects”. Rector of National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” Mykhailo Zghurovskyi traditionally opened the festival with a greeting speech.
“The festival was held fir the first time in 2012 and became popular among students and entrepreneurs at once. This festival is not only about the competition of innovative projects, but also interesting exhibitions, workshops, lectures and networking. This year, due to the pandemic, the IX Festival of Innovation Projects Sikorsky Challenge 2020 has changed its format. We hold the festival and the competition online. The new format of holding the Festival gives an opportunity to join it to many participants who could always join us from other regions. This also includes international investors and the members of the International Jury, who wouldn’t have the time and the possibility to take part in the Festival,” the organizers commented.
The Forum on the development of innovative economics in the regional, national and international aspects included several panel discussions. One of them was dedicated to the development model for high-tech economics of Ukraine and the state support of innovation development in our country. Another panel discussion held on November, 5, was dedicated to the innovation development in the medical engineering field.
On November 9, during the third panel discussion, the representatives of the Startup Schools Network and innovation clusters of Ukrainian cities met. Interim Minster of Education and Science of Ukraine Serhii Shkarlet also participated in the discussion. He emphasized that Kyiv Polytechnic Institute has not only implemented startup projects, but also spread Sikorsky Challenge in the regions. The existing startup schools network is powerful and includes 14 higher education institutions all over Ukraine, among which is National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”.
The fourth panel discussion dedicated to the development of Ukrainian innovations in international aspects was held on November 11.
Simultaneously with the Forum, the Competition of Startup Projects was held among the finalists as one of the main annual events in the field of innovations in Ukraine. It also took place online. For the first time the International Jury evaluated video presentations of finalists instead of real-life presentations. The winners were chosen in the following nominations:
- The best idea of the project;
- The best technological solution;
- The best solution of prospective clients’ problem;
- The best business model.
According to the results of the jury’s evaluation, the most prospective startups will be chosen for investments, the best ones will be given help in commercialization, creation of successful startup companies and bringing their products to the national and international markets.
The traditional investors and sponsors of Sikorsky Challenge are Golden Egg Technology, Boeing, V. C. Mykhalevych Foundation for Scientific and Technical Development of Ukraine, USP Capital, UkrEximBank, ProgressTechUkraine, Easy Start Business Incubator and others.
The representatives of investing companies will choose projects interesting for them and sign contracts with them about investments.
Media Center of
National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”
