12 startups participated in the Challenger AI 3.0 program: who took home the grand prize of $25,000? We attended the Demo Day.
How does Challenger AI help startups to scale?
Artificial intelligence is increasingly integrating into the modern startup ecosystem, becoming an essential part of it. AI continues to expand its influence by offering more cost-effective and efficient solutions, and often serves as a source of unique innovations.
One program actively fostering the development of AI solutions in Ukraine and Eastern Europe is the four-month international accelerator Challenger AI. Launched in 2021, it helps startups refine their products through the support of dozens of business and technical mentors from Ukraine and Europe, 1:1 mentorship, workshops, networking events, and access to investors.
During the latest Demo Day, held on May 15 in Kyiv and marking the program’s culmination, 12 finalists showcased their technological achievements. The winner of the pitch competition received a $25,000 grant to further develop their solution and expand into new markets. Three other finalists were awarded $25,000 in AWS credits each, helping reduce costs and scale their products. Additionally, six startups won tickets to the TNW Conference in Amsterdam, providing opportunities to meet new clients and connect with investors.
The program is organized by Civitta and Radar Tech, with support from ESTDEV and partnerships with UMA Executive Foundation (UMAEF), USF, Helsing, Triniti, Generect, Grammarly, Harmix, GitHub, and HubSpot.
Program Manager Olena Shershun commented on the third cohort of Challenger AI: In our program, we invite startups that have at least an MVP. Most of the startups in our current cohort are already generating sales. Our main goal is to help them improve their products, increase those sales, and attract more funding from investors.
The AIN team attended the event and shares which startup pitches stood out the most, what was discussed during the panel discussion, and how Challenger AI continues to shape the future of AI startups.
Here’s how the pitch competition unfolded and who took home the $25,000 grand prize at Challenger AI
The event kicked off with an opening speech, during which the organizers welcomed all participants and guests and briefly outlined the goals of the Challenger AI program, specifically accelerating startup growth, product development, and investment attraction.
The accelerator is designed to help participating teams reach a new level, including full immersion in the international startup ecosystem. Its main strength is mentorship. Throughout the acceleration, each team is supported by an individual lead mentor, who provides guidance, identifies challenges, and helps rethink solutions. At the same time, participants have access to technical mentors for advice on product development, as well as on-demand sessions with experts in marketing, specialized sales, UX/UI design, and more. Additionally, mentors prepare startups for pitching, including the Demo Day.
During Demo Day, 12 finalists pitched their projects, each given seven minutes for their presentation and to answer questions from the jury.
The jury consisted of active players from the venture capital market and the European startup ecosystem
- Artem Vokhlonsky — Partner at ZAS Ventures
- Ondrej Gomola — Partner at N1 Ventures
- Markiyan Moroz — Venture Analyst at u.ventures and UMAEF
- Peter Motskula — Partner at TRINITI
- Serhiy Kravets — Partner at GR Capital VC
- Yuriy-Volodymyr Blavt — Partner at Civitta, Co-founder of Challenger Accelerator
After the pitch session, participants attended a panel discussion moderated by Challenger AI lead mentor and founder of the digital agency Yedynka, Olesya Yedynak-Khoma. During the panel, startup founders who had already faced challenges and achieved significant progress shared their experiences.
Among the participants were Alex Sharko from Clearly, Oleh Kurtyanyk from North AI, and Antonina Yermeichuk from Deus Robotics. The conversation was enriched by alumni of Challenger AI 2.0, including Maxym Honcharuk from Aspichi, and a current cohort participant, Viktoria Abed from Pitch Avatar.
The event concluded with the announcement of the audience voting results and the declaration of the winners.
Who competed for the $25,000 grand prize: meet the finalist startups
theCoRD
theCoRD develops artificial intelligence that helps teams analyze the effectiveness of online meetings, boosting productivity and fostering team cohesion and operational efficiency. The solution essentially functions as a corporate coach: it observes team communication, provides optimization recommendations, assists in conflict resolution, and supports decision-making.
InTempo
InTempo is an app designed to reduce stress through music. The product also includes a tactile phone case that uses the rhythm and tempo of music to help prevent panic attacks and anxiety by combining auditory, tactile, and visual sensations.
How it works: users listen to their favorite music and try to replicate its rhythm on the tactile case or phone screen. In this gamified format, the user’s attention shifts from anxiety to a state of calm.
WHAT IF Spaces
WHAT IF develops an AI platform for automating building design. Their AI Legos are modular tools that automate key stages, from floor planning and design to code compliance checks. The solution enables small teams to design complex projects 4–6 times faster and reduce costs by 50%, positively impacting the accessibility of housing and infrastructure.
Startups headed to the TNW Conference in Amsterdam
Pitch Avatar
This startup develops an AI platform to enhance the effectiveness of business presentations and content distribution. The platform allows users to upload their presentations, create scripts in over 70 languages, and voice and illustrate them with video avatars. Additionally, Pitch Avatar provides detailed analytics on audience engagement.
Content Loop
Content Loop helps tech B2B companies build their reputation through expert content that resonates with their audience and achieves marketing goals. Their platform combines AI with content optimization services, delivering unique content — from articles to social media posts.
Salesdep.ai
Salesdep.ai is a B2B SaaS platform that uses AI to increase incoming lead conversion for small and medium-sized businesses. Initially, the AI agent learns to effectively sell a client’s specific products and services using customer data. After training, the integrated AI interacts with messengers and CRM systems, schedules follow-up meetings or calls, and records all interactions for continuous improvement.
Cenzor
Cenzor offers a tech solution for industrial door and gate maintenance. The solution includes data collection hardware and a software platform that uses AI to analyze this data in real time. Companies can save on mandatory maintenance costs in EU countries, while door manufacturers can optimize inspection time and reduce material overuse.
Josti
Josti develops an online platform for long-term housing rentals, simplifying communication between landlords and tenants without intermediaries or high commissions. The company uses AI to optimize and personalize housing searches. The platform is already live in Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Ivano-Frankivsk, with 35,000 downloads and 1,000 deals completed within four months.
Extra Vision — winner of the audience choice award
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Extra Vision is an AR/AI solution for surgery that creates 3D visualizations of anatomy based on CT/MRI scans, enhancing the accuracy and safety of operations. The platform is compatible with Hololens and is preparing for integration with Meta Quest and Vision Pro. According to the company, the solution already has over 50 users in Ukraine, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, and Japan. The Extra Vision technology has been used in more than 250 surgeries.
Teams that received $25,000 in AWS credits
If.Team
If.Team develops an ERP solution for creative agencies that integrates project, team, finance, and sales management. The platform includes CRM and AI features for planning and forecasting, tailored to outsourcing business models. It saves up to 35% of costs, eliminates data duplication, and synchronizes operational and financial processes.
ConnectiveOne
ConnectiveOne is an omnichannel conversational AI platform that helps companies establish flexible communication with operators by using an automated AI agent where it can replace a human.
Clients can use any communication channel, such as Web, WhatsApp, Email, etc., while the company responds from a single platform, saving time and money. According to the startup, the solution allows teams to free up to 50% of their time and focus on customer service quality, innovation, and product development.
Object Control — main prize $25,000 and $25,000 in AWS credits.
The winner of the Challenger AI 3.0 Demo Day was a startup that uses AI to monitor the real technical condition of vehicles and real estate. Object Control’s main clients are banks, insurance companies, and leasing companies, for whom the startup simplifies the process of monitoring collateral and insured property.
Object Control enables the clients of these companies to easily and conveniently perform complex inspections, improving efficiency and reducing operational workload. This approach also enhances customer satisfaction and allows insurers, banks, and leasing companies to focus on their core business while ensuring effective monitoring of vehicles and real estate.
According to the organizers, the team followed a consistent path of growth and transformation alongside Challenger AI. They first encountered Object Control during a hackathon in September 2024. Afterward, the startup joined a pre-acceleration program and then earned a spot in the accelerator. During this time, the team increased its monthly recurring revenue nearly tenfold: in November 2024, Object Control earned $3,500; at the time of selection for Challenger AI — $5,000; and during the acceleration, this figure rose to $50,000.
Object Control co-founder Andriy Huliy shared his impressions of Challenger AI: We effectively worked on the technical side, taking into account the latest technological trends. The organization is great, with many excellent mentors and experts — a solid 10 out of 10. The Civitta program was the most relevant acceleration program for our business and technical needs. We fully focused on the program and are very satisfied with the results.
Based on the jury’s evaluation, which especially highlighted Object Control’s evolution over the four-month program, the team received the grand prize of $25,000 and $25,000 in AWS credits.
Object Control’s business mentor, Reimo Gamerberg from Baltic Horizon, said: My area of expertise regarding Object Control involves market entry, B2B sales, value validation, and finding solutions for B2B clients. The Object Control team was resilient, results-oriented, and bold in setting goals.
What impressions have formed, and how do the participants comment on the program?
We have been collaborating with Civitta for a long time and were very determined to join Challenger AI. At times, the program was quite intense, but the well-selected lectures and mentors helped us scale our solution and make it more cost-effective for users, says Vladyslav Kalyuzhka, co-founder of Extra Vision.
The co-founder of the startup, Viktoriia Abed, shares: We are very glad that we made the right decision to join this accelerator, as it helped us shape our goals with the support of mentors and the accelerator team. If you are still wondering whether your startup needs an accelerator—don’t hesitate, it does. You will gain additional experience and get answers to all your questions. Mentorship is what will help you structure your business.
Honestly I was skeptical about the program because I’ve already been through many accelerators. But, fortunately, it was valuable. The thing is, we joined the program with a ready product but without understanding how AI could enhance it. In this, the program truly helped us, shared Oleg Frolov, co-founder of if.team.
Why did the startups choose this program over others? Andriy Hulyi from Object Control says: It’s very simple: you look at the alumni, their traction, and then make a strategically sound decision.
Among the graduates of previous Challenger AI cohorts are CheckEye, Getpin, GIOS, Beholder, Rythmex, Apixmed, Scally, Inspira, and others.
Challenger Accelerator is looking forward to its fourth cohort in October 2025
At the event, details about the next Challenger Accelerator cohort were also revealed. Challenger 4.0 will start in October 2025 and will focus on three main tracks:
- Health Tech Track
- Education Tech Track
- A third track, which the team will define closer to September.
Yurii-Volodymyr Blavt commented on the program: First of all, Challenger is a non-equity program, which can be interesting for teams that already have a product. The main motivation behind creating the program was to establish a European-level accelerator. At that time, the market mostly offered student programs for very early-stage startups or overly generalized programs for everyone. We realized back in 2020 that artificial intelligence is where it’s worth investing. Ultimately, we launched the accelerator at the end of 2021 with a large number of international experts, a special focus on mentorship and high-quality workshops — all thanks to Civitta’s extensive network.
Any startup can apply for Challenger 4.0 if they:
- Have an MVP/demo version of their product or are close to reaching that stage;
- Have a team of 3 or more members;
- Are eager to scale their business and attract funding.
Program Manager Olena Shershun advises startups as follows: It’s important to have a clear goal for the acceleration program; understand where you want to grow and what you want to improve. Our program is flexible: we have a base, workshops, and training sessions, but we can always connect you with a mentor or expert—the key is to have a specific request.
