Sigma Software Labs has been named the Top European CVC Fund at the European Startup Ecosystem Awards 2026 by Wolves Summit. The award was presented in Warsaw on April 22 during the inaugural edition of the awards, where an independent jury selected winners from 52 nominations across funds, accelerators, angel networks, incubators, technology parks, and city ecosystems.
This is our first win after three consecutive years on the shortlist – a milestone for the venture model we’ve been building, combining early-stage investment with engineering expertise, mentorship, and access to Sigma Software Group’s global client network.
Sigma Software Labs’ approach and achievements
Sigma Software Labs operates as a venture lab rather than a traditional CVC fund – working side by side with founders on product development, market validation, enterprise sales, partnerships, and scaling.
Our approach is built on close collaboration and access to Sigma Software Group’s 2,000+ engineering experts and global client base.
Today, our portfolio includes:
– 25+ startups across AI/ML, DefenseTech, FinTech, Automotive, Aviation, and Cybersecurity domains
– 2 successful exits
– 70%+ of portfolio companies working directly with Sigma Software Group
– 35+ products serving 250+ enterprise clients worldwide
Beyond investment, we are also building ecosystem initiatives connecting startups with capital, expertise, and global markets:
– UNICORN startup competition – 1,000+ projects supported since 2014; the 2023 winner represented Ukraine at the Startup World Cup in San Francisco
– Defence Builder accelerator – 16 startups, including 5 battlefield-tested solutions; recognized among the Top 10 Most Impactful Initiatives at DOU Awards 2025
– Labs Galaxy – an internal innovation community of 120+ specialists across Ukraine, the US, Brazil, and Poland
– Synergetic Spaces – co-working hubs in 8+ cities in Ukraine and beyond
About the awards
The European Startup Ecosystem Awards by Wolves Summit recognize the organizations shaping Europe’s startup ecosystem. The inaugural edition took place during Wolves Summit in Warsaw, bringing together 300+ founders, investors, and ecosystem players from 37+ countries.
Other winners of the 2026 awards include:
– Top Accelerator: NATO DIANA Estonian Accelerator
– Top European Angel Network: Business Angels Deutschland (BAND)
– Top European City Ecosystem for Startups: City of Krakow
– Top Incubator: JIC
– Top Technology Park for Startups: Tehnopol Science and Business Park
“Being part of the jury at the European Startup Ecosystem Awards let me look at European startups through the same lens we use at Sigma Software Labs every day – how clearly the team understands the problem, the market, and the real value they can create. The strongest startups I saw had a clear pain point, early traction, and the ambition to build beyond one local market. This is also how we think in Ukraine: under pressure, with limited resources, but with a strong focus on speed, practicality, and global relevance. For us, this recognition is also a signal of a bigger shift – Ukrainian funds are active players shaping the European venture scene alongside their peers.”
– Yaroslava Gritsaienko, Operations Manager at Sigma Software Labs.
We appreciate Anna Rabiej, Thom Barnhardt, and the entire Wolves Summit team for the recognition, as well as the founders who chose to build with Labs from the early stages of their journey.
