1991 Ventures

Early-stage capital for tech startups from Ukraine & CEE reshaping Europe's strategic industries

PITCH TO US

Europe's next tech cycle starts in Ukraine and CEE

Founders from Ukraine and CEE build revenue-generating, globally oriented companies — yet remain systematically undervalued at the seed stage. No dedicated Ukraine-focused Series A fund exists, creating a clear re-pricing window for early investors.

1991 Ventures has been in this ecosystem since 2016

With $6.45bn in IT exports (2024), ~303,000 tech professionals, and Ukrainian-origin unicorns continuing to emerge, the ecosystem is accelerating. Investment volume in Ukraine grew 285% year-on-year in 2025, with defence tech and AI infrastructure leading.

About Us

FUND
£15M
UK-based, FCA-regulated £15M seed venture capital fund
CHECK SIZE
£400,000
Providing seed funding of up to £400,000
Stage & GEO
Backing seed/seed+ startups originating from Ukraine and CEE , rebuilding Europe's tech sector across its most strategic industries

WHAT WE BACK

Applied AI & AI Infrastructure

Mission-critical automation across defence, cybersecurity, and enterprise operations

Cybersecurity & Defence Tech

Structurally growing spend driven by geopolitics and national security

Autonomous Systems & Robotics

Dual-use technologies for defence, logistics, and industrial efficiency

Fintech Infrastructure

Compliance, payments, and risk rails for cross-border regulated markets

PortFolio

2.6x Capital Mobilization Multiple

Company

About

Stage

A2i

UK MOD Prime Contractor and defence tech systemsintegrator. Successful live missile tests.

Pre-Seed

Stage:

Pre-Seed

UK MOD Prime Contractor and defence tech systemsintegrator. Successful live missile tests.

Ability AI

Ability AI is an AI-first martech company specializing in developing autonomous AI agents and agentic systems.

Pre-Seed

Stage:

Pre-Seed

Ability AI is an AI-first martech company specializing in developing autonomous AI agents and agentic systems.

Deus Robotics

Autonomous warehouse robotics deployed with DPDUK, Nova Post, and major European logistics operators.

Seed

Stage:

Seed

Autonomous warehouse robotics deployed with DPDUK, Nova Post, and major European logistics operators.

Finmap

Finmap is a cash flow management tool for business owners that helps to track cash flow, plan payments, and keep the profit on track.

Seed

Stage:

Seed

Finmap is a cash flow management tool for business owners that helps to track cash flow, plan payments, and keep the profit on track.

LetsData

LetsData is an AI-powered defence against emerging narrative threats.

Pre-Seed

Stage:

Pre-Seed

LetsData is an AI-powered defence against emerging narrative threats.

The Fourth Law (TFL)

Battlefield-tested autonomous UAV systems. Namedbest last-mile autonomy system by independent Ukrainian military evaluation.

Pre-Seed

Stage:

Pre-Seed

Battlefield-tested autonomous UAV systems. Namedbest last-mile autonomy system by independent Ukrainian military evaluation.

Zibra AI

GPU-based compression for 3D/volumetric data —‘JPEG for 3D.’ Pipeline includes major industrial and automotive OEMs.

Seed

Stage:

Seed

GPU-based compression for 3D/volumetric data —‘JPEG for 3D.’ Pipeline includes major industrial and automotive OEMs.

How we support You

Strategic Networking

We match founders with the right partners, from global companies to government agencies and international organisations, including Ukrainian and the UK government partners, corporates, and institutional investors

Follow-On Funding & Growth Capital

Gain access to 1991’s network of VC funds and investors across CEE, the EU, and the UK, ensuring you have consistent fundraising support, strategic introductions, and access to global capital to scale further.

Individual Mentorship

Leverage the legacy of the 1991 Accelerator: a network of 200+ mentors and partner VC funds across UA, EU & UK markets.

Legacy

1991 Accelerator — Ukraine's leading accelerator with a decade of experience helping high-potential early-stage founders raise capital and scale globally.

01
Pipeline of over 300 companies
Over a decade, 1991 has run more than 40 programs. Since 2022, alumni startups have collectively raised over $60M.
02
Backed by global partners
1991 has successfully led projects for the Ukrainian startup ecosystem with partners like UK Government, Google for Startups, EBRD and the European Commission.
03
Globally recognised
1991 Accelerator is the winner of “Best acceleration programme in Eastern Europe 2025” by Global Startup Awards.

Learn about our flagship programmes

Partners

Denis Gursky

Partner, 1991 Ventures;
Head of Board, 1991 Accelerator

London

A British-Ukrainian entrepreneur, investor and London Business School alumnus, Denis leads the fund’s mission to connect UK capital with CEE innovation.For over ten years, he has been responsible for the growth of SocialBoost and the 1991 Accelerator, Ukraine’s first and leading startup accelerator with 300+ alumni startups. He has also previously advised the Ukrainian government on open data and digital policy. Outside of tech, Denis is passionate about music and has performed as a DJ.

Viktor Gurskyi

Partner, 1991 Ventures;
CEO, 1991 Accelerator

London

Viktor is a tech entrepreneur, executive, and investor who drives the operational growth of 1991. As CEO of the 1991 Accelerator, he brings over a decade of leadership experience. With deep expertise in govtech, smart city, and impact tech, he has designed data management platforms adopted by hundreds of municipalities. He is a Barcelona Global Smart City Award recipient and a One Young World Peace Ambassador.

Newsroom

Limited Partners

Samos Investments is a venture capital investor with a focus on high-growth European businesses. Samos invests across a range of sectors, including deep-tech/AI, consumer internet, e-commerce, B2B Software, and financial services/technology.
Venrex is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2002, with offices in London and New York. The earliest stage backers of Charlotte Tilbury, Revolut, 365Scores, Orlebar Brown, Opus Energy and Maven Clinic, and early investors in Rippling, Just Eat, Notonthehighstreet.com, Mumsnet and ME+EM.
Allocator One is a fund-of-funds platform focused on backing first- and second-time venture capital fund managers. They provide anchor investments along with operational and fundraising support to help new GPs launch and scale their funds. Their model combines capital, infrastructure, and a curated network of LPs to accelerate emerging VC managers.

In the press

This website is produced by 1991 Ventures LLP (FRN: 1000926), an Appointed Representative of AQ1443 Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales with registration number 13994528) (trading as 'Thema'). Thema is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") (FRN: 978496).