Tokarev Foundation Founder Serhiy Tokarev Announces the Start of the Second Cohort of the Free SheLeads Programme for Girls
SheLeads is a free accelerator for girls who are interested in STEM. It was created in partnership between uBoost and the Tokarev Foundation. Serhiy Tokarev, an impact investor and IT entrepreneur, has announced registration for the second cohort.
“I am confident that there is still a shortage of women in STEM, business, and leadership. This programme was developed to support girls who are interested in mathematics, engineering, and technology. SheLeads not only develops skills, but also creates an environment for genuine growth,” says the founder of the Tokarev Foundation.
What SheLeads 2.0 Offers
Anyone aged 16–22 will be able to register for the second wave of the free accelerator. The programme will run for three months and will begin on 16 February 2026. Seventy per cent of the learning will take place online, while 30 per cent will be held offline. The three-day finale will take place in Kyiv.
The new SheLeads cohort has expanded significantly compared to the first edition of the initiative. This time, the programme offers participants mentorship from women leaders in technology, practical AI workshops, training in leadership and managing uncertainty, mental health sessions, as well as a real opportunity to work on their own idea.
Twenty of the most motivated participants will reach the finale. They will be able to:
- Complete internships at partner companies
- Receive mentorship from experienced STEM professionals
- Meet potential employers
- Receive grants to launch their projects
Results of the First SheLeads Cohort
Participants from the first wave of the programme have already demonstrated impressive results. For example, Valeriia Pyliuk from Kharkiv developed Teploria, a service that helps conduct a home energy audit. During SheLeads, she created a brand identity, applied for international grants, and won a competition organised by Huawei.
Rita, 19, gained experience as a graphic designer at the tech company OBRIO, working on real projects with deadlines. Anastasiia Kurmanova from Volodarka created the mobile app Spotoria, which can find and book parking spaces. In addition, she won UAH 1,000,000 at a startup-pitching event.
About the Accelerator
SheLeads is a joint initiative of the Tokarev Foundation—a tech philanthropy fund that supports Ukraine’s development through innovation—and the public organisation uBoost, which works in youth education and employment.
Serhiy Tokarev emphasises that the programme was developed in response to systemic challenges in education and the labour market, which are felt especially acutely in the context of the war in Ukraine. The core mission of SheLeads is to create favourable conditions for girls who strive to gain knowledge and experience in STEM.
