On September 30, the final of the international competition for innovative startup projects and technological solutions in the field of humanitarian demining, TechBridge x Sikorsky Innovation Challenge, took place in Kyiv. Rovertech secured first place in the competition, receiving a grant award to support further development of its project.
Rovertech presented its key innovation at the competition — GRCS “Zmiy”.
“Our team has a clear understanding that the future restoration of Ukraine directly depends on the effectiveness of innovations in the field of humanitarian demining. It is crucial that these innovations receive stable support for further development. Direct funding is, of course, one of the key components in this context. However, the opportunity to communicate with partners and potential buyers is extremely important for Ukrainian developers — including Rovertech.
‘Zmiy’ is already delivering strong results, operating in some of the most heavily mined areas. Such a significant recognition of it by the Sikorsky Innovation Challenge is very important to us. It proves once again that we are moving in the right direction. We’re thankful for that,” said Borys Drozhak, co-founder of Rovertech.
The competition included participation from startups, engineering teams, university groups, research institutions, and companies working in fields related to demining.
- Innovative technologies for remote detection of explosive objects – solutions based on drones, ground vehicles, multi-sensor systems (GPR, LiDAR, infrared cameras), and AI.
- Digital maps and data analytics – systems for real-time demining management, creation of interactive maps.
- Robotic systems – ground and air autonomous platforms for safe detection and clearance of territories.
- Other solutions – projects that have the potential to help in the field of humanitarian demining.
In addition to the awards ceremony, the event hosted a series of panel discussions aimed at addressing the main challenges in implementing innovative technologies in humanitarian demining, as well as potential solutions to these challenges.
Throughout the event, clients, investors, and manufacturers had the opportunity to connect with startups, engage in dialogue, and explore possibilities for future funding and collaboration.
The competition was organized by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Government of the United Kingdom, Sikorsky Challenge Innovation Holding, the UK-Ukraine TechBridge platform, and the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”.
