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  • 16 April 2026

Women in Innovation: How a Mentorship Program Transformed Women-Led Startups

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Summarizing the results of the international project «Empowering Women in Innovation and Startups» — stories of transformation, new opportunities, and projects already ready to enter the market.
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Information on  «Women Innovation and Startup Empowerment (WISE) Program»

On March 18, the international project «Women Innovation and Startup Empowerment (WISE) Program» was successfully completed. It was implemented by IP Academy with the support of the WIPO Academy and the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO).

The initiative brought together participants from across Ukraine and created an environment for developing their projects — from initial ideas and visual concepts to a fully formed brand, clear positioning, and a communication strategy for market entry.

The second stage of the project (mentorship program) lasted from November 2025 to March 2026 and provided individual mentoring support for participants whose projects demonstrated high potential for scaling and commercialization.

The program mentor was Alina Bazhenova, founder of the full-cycle branding agency «Futurist agency».

Within the mentorship program, participants received comprehensive support, including:

  • development of visual materials for social media;
  • creation of a landing page website;
  • preparation of an investor presentation (Pitch Deck);
  • creation of a one-page informational booklet;
  • production of a promotional video.

Case studies of mentorship program participants

Over several months, participants worked on positioning their products, building their brands, and developing communication strategies, creating a solid foundation for further growth.

Below are more details about the projects, their transformation, and participants’ experiences.

Case 1. RhythmoCar

RhythmoCare evaluates not only individual metrics but also their interaction within a unified biological system:

  • blood pressure (sleep phases and structure);
  • heart rate (at rest and in dynamics);
  • body temperature (day–night fluctuations);
  • sleep and recovery (circadian changes);
  • nutrition patterns (timing and regularity);
  • physical activity (intensity and timing);
  • seasonality and time zones (environmental adaptation).

The application’s functionality is designed for both users and medical professionals, enabling a personalized approach to monitoring health and planning therapy.

For medical professionals, RhythmoCare serves as a tool for therapy personalization, allowing analysis of patients’ circadian rhythms, selection of optimal treatment timing, evaluation of therapy effectiveness, and dynamic data analysis.

For users, the application helps restore balance, improve quality of life, prevent health issues, and make more informed daily decisions.

The author of the project is Olesia Kalmykova, PhD in Biology, Associate Professor at the Department of Cytology, Histology, and Reproductive Medicine of the Educational and Scientific Center «Institute of Biology and Medicine» of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, and a laureate of the President of Ukraine Award.

«Participation in the international project «Empowering Women in Innovation and Startups» helped transform my scientific idea into a clear and expressive form. Understanding the role of the circadian system allows us to rethink the interaction between time and human physiology. The key is to find your rhythm and live in sync with it.»

Olesia Kalmykova, author of RhythmoCare

Олеся Калмикова

Case 2. HYPOXYON

The system automatically controls and adjusts the training process: it analyzes the user’s physiological parameters, regulates oxygen concentration, and ensures the safety and effectiveness of each session — from prevention to athletic training.

The HYPOXYON technology automates complex physiological processes, reducing human error and increasing result stability. The solution is protected by Ukrainian patents, researched in leading scientific institutions, and validated by clinical and preclinical studies.

The project author is Liubov Poliahushko, PhD in Engineering, Associate Professor at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute.

Любов Полягушко

«Participating in the mentorship program of the international project «Empowering Women in Innovation and Startups» marked a turning point in my journey — guiding me from a simple idea to a strong, recognizable brand. Now it is not just an innovative product but a complete system with clear communication, visual identity, and a well-defined market entry strategy. Thank you for this opportunity!»

 Liubov Poliahushko, author of HYPOXYON

Case 3. U-Cloud University

The project represents a software model of a university, where curricula, document management, HR, finance, and quality control are integrated into a single system. Its concept is to transform the traditional approach — from «university as a building» to «university as a system» that can be scaled, replicated, and deployed in any environment.

U-Cloud University functions as a cloud ecosystem where all administrative and educational processes are digitized and interconnected. The system logic involves creating a unified cloud environment with standardized and integrated processes.

The author of the project is Svitlana Tarasenko, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor at the Department of International Economic Relations, Sumy State University.

«Participation in the project allowed me to systematize the idea, create a clear market message, and focus on further development. The team’s work helped me rethink the project, view it from a new perspective, and significantly strengthen its conceptual core.»

Svitlana Tarasenko, author of U-Cloud University

Світлана Тарасенко

Case 4. LihtTar

The project offers a «digital path to self», translating complex therapeutic practices into a refined, structured, and engaging experience for everyday use. It is grounded in a proprietary methodology that integrates multiple psychological approaches, thoughtfully adapted to the realities of modern life.

LihtTar operates as a digital platform for personal transformation, where all development processes are integrated into a unified system.

Key components of the solution include:

  • a personalized development path based on assessment;
  • an AI mentor guiding the transformation process;
  • a gamified interaction experience («inner game» format);
  • integration of practices for body, mind, and inner state;
  • a marketplace of tools and expert support.

The project author is Marharyta Kirianova, Master of Psychology, practicing psychologist, business analyst, and visionary.

Маргарита Кірʼянова

«Participation in the project marked a pivotal turning point, elevating our idea into a structured international startup. Through mentorship support, we developed a robust IP strategy to safeguard our algorithms and established a strong foundation for scaling LihtTar as a global product at the intersection of psychology, deep knowledge systems, and artificial intelligence. The program serves as a powerful catalyst for women innovators creating solutions that shape the future.»

Marharyta Kirianova, author of LihtTar

The mentorship program provided participants with tools for brand development, positioning, and communication strategy design. The presented case studies demonstrate the results of this work and confirm the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach to supporting innovative initiatives.

IP Academy continues to implement educational initiatives aimed at developing knowledge and practical skills in the field of intellectual property and supporting innovative projects.

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