UKRAINE
MONTHLY REPORT

April, 2013
Vol. 2, Issue 3

LOOK AHEAD

Expanding Entrepreneurial Capabilities in Ukraine
CRDF Global continues to train over 50 Ukrainian scientists, engineers and inventors in entrepreneurship development under the online program “Guide to Technology Commercialization”, started last year as a part of Kharkiv Innovation Platform (KIP)’s project in Ukraine.

After the six-week online training session, covering the technology commercialization process, pitching techniques, business development strategies and how to effectively apply for funding, the top 12 students will be offered an opportunity to participate in a two-day intensive boot camp to be held in early June, 2013 in Kharkiv. Participants will be able to pitch their business ideas before a panel of representatives from the Ukraininan and foreign commercial and investment communities, as well as compete for a grant to travel to the United States for further guidance from experts in the field and to network with investors and professionals.

Kharkiv Innovation Platform (KIP) is implemented by CRDF Global, in partnership with the State Agency of Science, Innovation and Informatization in Ukraine, and "Kharkiv Technologies" Center, and funded by U.S. Department of State.

PREVIOUS EVENTS

Promoting International Research and Innovations
On March 31-April 2, 2013 CRDF Global’s John Hurley, Vice President for Programs, attended Ukraine to meet with government officials, representatives of US authorities, as well as local and foreign partner companies, and discuss opportunities for further cooperation in the field of science and technologies.
On April 2, John Hurley, accompanied by Kyiv office colleagues, met with Borys Grynyov, First Deputy Head of the State Agency on Science, Innovation and Information (SASII) of Ukraine. SASII and CRDF Global confirmed their intention to continue joint implementation of the Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) for 2013-2014, advancing innovations to the market, and providing technology entrepreneurship workshops  and annual grants for Ukrainian scientists. In addition,  the Parties discussed ways of collaboration under this year’s joint basic research competition, co-sponsored by CRDF Global and the State Agency on Science, Innovation and Information of Ukraine. The competition will fund joint teams of U.S. and Ukrainian scientists focused on research in energy efficiency and environment issues.

Encouraging Technology-based Entrepreneurship and Invention
Dr. Liudmila Mikhailova, CRDF Global's Director of Evaluation, visited Ukraine on April 10-16, 2013 to conduct long-term outcome assessment of Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) through site visits and in-person & Skype interviews with recent and past STEP grantees in Lviv, Kyiv, Donetsk and Kharkiv.
Launched by CRDF Global from 2008, the Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Program (STEP) aims to bridge the gap between the science and business worlds through sector focused match-making events, conferences, and direct introductions where both sides can discuss current issues, market needs, and potential opportunities for collaboration.
Visit CRDF Global - Ukraine on Facebook for more updates and pictures on this visit.

STORIES

Enabling Science Collaboration for Biogas Research
In March 2011, a team of Ukrainian researchers headed by Dr. Pyatnichko, the Deputy Director of the Gas Institute  at Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences, started a project with CRDF Global support to develop a high effective system to refine landfill gas for bio-methane production. In cooperation with LNK company, researchers developed technology of biogas purification from impurities and tested their system in Kyiv on the solid waste landfill #5.
The team built a station, collecting biogas from over 40 wells at the site and processing about 4 million cubic metres of gas per year.  Applying the technology for the burning biogas in an internal combustion engines, team started to provide an additional electricity for the country. The station, installed on the landfill #5 in Kyiv region, has already produced about 4 million kWh of electricity since April 2012.
Check out the video by BTB channel with Dr. Pyatnichko to know more on this research in the field of biogas production.