FUEL: Connecting Finnish and Ukrainian EdTech for Education Recovery

Education and skills are essential to Ukraine’s recovery. At the same time, Finnish EdTech companies have valuable expertise to share, but entering a new market and finding the right partners requires local knowledge and trusted connections.

The challenge

Ukraine needs flexible learning solutions that can help people affected by displacement, trauma and economic disruption acquire new skills and build new careers.

Finnish and Ukrainian EdTech companies have complementary strengths, but limited access to each other’s markets, networks and decision-makers made collaboration difficult.

The solution

FUEL, the Finnish-Ukrainian EdTech Launchpad, was created to turn shared interest into practical cooperation.

Implemented by Crazy Town in collaboration with Advicera, Urban Mill and Innovestor, the program was supported by Education Finland and made possible by the Finnish National Agency for Education.

Between October and December 2024, FUEL brought together 10 EdTech startups, five from Finland and five from Ukraine, in a focused hybrid program. Participants received market-entry workshops, individual coaching, matchmaking, funding guidance and access to potential partners.

Advicera’s role

Advicera led all Ukraine-related work within the program. Our responsibilities included building awareness of FUEL in Ukraine, managing Ukrainian media and PR activities, and supporting communication between the program and the Ukrainian ecosystem.

This local presence helped FUEL reach relevant Ukrainian EdTech companies and communicate the opportunity through trusted networks and media channels.

Advicera’s founders, Yuri Kozik and Daria Sazonova, also worked with the participating companies as a program coaches, helping them understand cross-border opportunities and take practical steps towards entering new markets.

Advicera also organised Ukraine Friends Night, an official Slush 2024 side event. The event connected Ukrainian founders, including selected FUEL participants, with Finnish partners, international investors and the wider startup community.

The results

FUEL produced tangible outcomes:

• 10 EdTech startups accelerated across Finland and Ukraine

• Approximately 100 new connections with companies, investors and ecosystem organisations

• Clearer market-entry plans for Ukrainian startups exploring Finland and the EU

• Better understanding among Finnish companies of Ukraine’s needs and opportunities

• New foundations for partnerships and joint projects

  
  

One participant summarised the progress:

“We started with no knowledge of Finland. Now we have a plan and clear next steps for 2025.”

What we learned

FUEL demonstrated that international programs need more than workshops and introductions. Effective cross-border collaboration depends on local representation, targeted communication and partners who understand both markets.

By combining Finnish educational expertise with Ukrainian technological capabilities and supporting the relationship with practical coaching, visibility, and matchmaking, the program turned mutual interest into concrete opportunities.

Interested in developing an international innovation, education or startup program? Advicera designs and manages initiatives that connect ecosystems, accelerate companies and turn cross-border cooperation into practical results.