The “CREATE!” grants for business development in manufacturing and processing have been awarded to 65 Ukrainian women — founders, managers, and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises. The recipients have used the funds to scale their businesses: entering new markets, expanding product lines, automating production, and improving quality.

The “CREATE!” grant program was initiated by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine with financial support from UMAEF. It is implemented by the KSE Foundation, with compliance support from Oschadbank and expert evaluation by the KSE Graduate Business School. The initiative, with a budget of $1,000,000, is aimed at scaling and developing women-led manufacturing businesses and will continue with a second phase in 2025.

Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, stated:
“Today, the role of women in the Ukrainian economy is changing. More and more women entrepreneurs are taking on leadership roles and starting their own businesses. For example, last year, women founded 56% of businesses in Ukraine, and this year the number has grown to 59%. They are mastering new professions that were previously statistically male-dominated. The results of the ‘CREATE!’ program have demonstrated the readiness, capability, and business ambitions of women entrepreneurs to participate in shaping Ukraine’s economy.”

The program, which began in April 2024, received over 1,000 applications from women entrepreneurs across Ukraine. The selection prioritized businesses with significant growth potential, export opportunities, and import substitution capabilities.

Tetiana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, added:
“Each application was a great source of inspiration for us. Reading them, we became even more convinced of the talent, strength, and resilience of Ukrainian women entrepreneurs who continue to work, create, and scale their businesses during the war.”

The “CREATE!” program supported businesses across a wide range of manufacturing sectors: 26% in the food industry, 15% in light industry (including clothing production), 11% in furniture manufacturing, 8% in décor production, 5% in jewelry manufacturing, 3% in cosmetics production, 3% in building materials manufacturing, and 29% in other industries.

Yaroslava Z. Johnson, President and CEO of UMAEF:
“The winners of this program are a testament to the strength, creativity, and determination of Ukrainian women who continue to create, grow, and inspire despite all challenges. The ‘CREATE!’ program was established to support them on this journey, and we are proud to be part of such an initiative.”

Grants of up to $15,000 enabled entrepreneurs to purchase essential equipment for business development. These included laser and milling machines, equipment for production, refrigeration and freezing units, sewing and embroidery machines, and other specialized tools. Each piece of acquired equipment had a clearly defined impact plan to increase efficiency, scale production, and expand into foreign markets.

Svitlana Denysenko, Director of KSE Foundation:
“This initiative allowed us to create a community of like-minded women, where each participant feels supported on her journey to scaling her life’s work. After reviewing the development plans of each winner’s business, we understand that a new generation of entrepreneurs is emerging, ready to make their mark not only in Ukraine but also globally.”

A significant portion of the supported businesses were established during the war. The grant funding enabled the winners to advance their businesses to a new level, overcome wartime challenges, and relocate production facilities situated near the frontline.

The second phase of the “CREATE!” grant initiative has been announced and is set to begin in 2025.

The “CREATE!” grant program was initiated by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine with financial support from UMAEF and implemented by the KSE Foundation in partnership with Oschadbank. The program is funded by the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF), formerly known as the Western NIS Enterprise Fund, which supports reform initiatives and transformational projects in Ukraine.

Introducing the Winners of the “CREATE!” 2024 Grant Program:

  1. Oksana Bortnyk: Manufacturing paving stones and concrete products (Comfortbruk), Liuboml, Volyn Region.
  2. Yulia Kliuchkovska: Producing maternity and nursing clothing (Holy Mamas Underwear), Zymna Voda, Lviv Region.
  3. Daria Tolstykh: Cosmetic production (Moon&Rune), Dnipro.
  4. Iryna Kotapska: Wedding dress manufacturing (KOTAPSKA), Chernivtsi.
  5. Halyna Lukashuk: Cheese production (Molochna Ferma Dairy), Hilcha Druha, Rivne Region.
  6. Oleksandra Osipova: Chocolate production (Sisters A. Chocolate), Lutsk.
  7. Iryna Kirpichova: Children’s clothing production (Tatoshka), Kyiv.
  8. Valeria Kovalska: Women’s clothing production (Valery Kovalska), Kryvyi Rih.
  9. Nataliia Kushnir: Farming (Papiky), Derno, Volyn Region.
  10. Nataliia Zavhorodnia: Manufacturing pumps, compressors (Krasnoarmiisk Foundry-Mechanical Plant), Pokrovsk, Donetsk Region.
  11. Anzhelika Korol-Sekera: Confectionery production (Delicia), Bucha, Kyiv Region.
  12. Yelyzaveta Dyachenko: Medical supplies manufacturing (Tvel LLC), Poltava.
  13. Veronika Tolkachova: Bakery production (Family Bakery), Ternopil.
  14. Nataliia Krevelia: Furniture production (Manka Studio), Kyiv.
  15. Maria Yakush: Glasswork production (YAKUSH), Kyiv.
  16. Tetiana Kanska: Manufacturing plastic parts (Thermoplast-T), Vinnytsia.
  17. Anna Kazanska: Publishing books (FastAR Kids), Kyiv.
  18. Valentyna Aibin: Production of semi-finished products (To dobre), Netishyn, Khmelnytskyi Region.
  19. Stanislava Babych: Vegetarian product manufacturing, bakery (Khors), Kremenchuk, Poltava Region.
  20. Olha Lialina: Door manufacturing (Modern Door Factory), Pokotylivka, Kharkiv Region.
  21. Svitlana Chub: Herbal tea production (Richka), Shcherbani, Poltava Region.
  22. Olena Zvarych: Outdoor furniture and lighting manufacturing (Fix Union), Lviv.
  23. Kateryna Havrylenko: Wooden furniture production (GRAND WOOD), Sheptytskyi, Lviv Region.
  24. Iryna Maiorova: Production of speech therapy aids (Vymova), Ovruch, Zhytomyr Region.
  25. Kseniia Fursova: Designer gift production (1DEA.me), Kyiv.
  26. Liubov Debera: Pet food production (Leopold), Lviv.
  27. Tetiana Boiko: Production of fruit pastilles and chips (Tasty Jar), Vinnytsia.
  28. Tamara Yablonska: Mattress manufacturing (KIMA), Kivertsi, Volyn Region.
  29. Yulia Shapovalova: Camper manufacturing (Life Style Camper), Kyiv.
  30. Yana Ibadullaeva: Craft kombucha production (BEE&TEA), Kyiv.
  31. Daniella Kenez: Confectionery production, bakery (Folks), Uzhhorod.
  32. Lesia Palamar: Artistic furniture manufacturing (Yves Fouquet), Chernivtsi.
  33. Olena Foia: Autonomous sewage system manufacturing (Stroyseptik), Dmytrivka, Kyiv Region.
  34. Roksolana Khudoba: Recycled glassware and décor production (ReRe:Sklo), Lviv.
  35. Anna Shevtsiv: Machine-building plant (Stryi Auto), Lviv.
  36. Inna Medvedchuk: Furniture production (Odisy), Kyiv.
  37. Antonina Izhytska: Medieval clothing production (Steel-mastery), Kyiv.
  38. Kristina Bobkova: Women’s clothing manufacturing (BOBKOVA), Kyiv.
  39. Olha Sirman: Cocktail candy production (Jelly Bar), Lviv.
  40. Viktoriia Knysh: Cheese and dairy product manufacturing (Jersey), Selysko, Lviv Region.
  41. Olena Khatmullina: Freeze-dried food production (Pojyva), Shumsk, Ternopil Region.
  42. Nataliia Chovhan: Elevator production and installation (Tekhmontazh), Ivano-Frankivsk.
  43. Liudmyla Maksymets: Healthy sweets production (SUNFILL), Chernihiv.
  44. Alina Kundenko: Bandura manufacturing (Chernihiv Bandura Center Pleiada), Chernihiv.
  45. Olena Yatsenko: Honey production (Yourbee_honey), Kryvyi Rih.
  46. Alla Bunechko: Decorative wreath production (Wreath Manufactory), Shepetivka, Khmelnytskyi Region.
  47. Oleksandra Shymborska: Polymer packaging production (Tekhnopak), Lviv.
  48. Kateryna Zakharchuk: Military clothing and gear manufacturing (BrotherHood), Kyiv.
  49. Anastasiia Burzi: Wooden candle production (WOOD MOOD), Hostomel, Kyiv Region.
  50. Olha Dragel: Designer radiator manufacturing (EliTerm), Kharkiv.
  51. Maryna Shevchenko: Cat litter production (E-KO-T), Kyiv.
  52. Iryna Chornobai: Grain cleaning machine manufacturing (AEROMEKH), Bagacheve, Cherkasy Region.
  53. Kateryna Senchyna: Craft cheese and dairy product production (Honest Cheese), Lviv.
  54. Mariia Havryliuk: Décor and accessory manufacturing (Gunia Project), Kyiv.
  55. Olena Kashubina: Wall panel production (ECLAT), Kharkiv.
  56. Olha Lekova: Furniture made from recycled plastic (Recast Plastic), Kyiv.
  57. Dariia Korniichuk: Essential oil production (Aroma Fields), Kyiv.
  58. Sonia Soltes: Jewelry production (LUTIKI), Kyiv.
  59. Liliia Litkovska-Danyliuk: Women’s clothing manufacturing (LITKOVSKA), Kyiv.
  60. Yelyzaveta Knyzhenko: Jewelry production (Dukachi), Kyiv.
  61. Oleksandra Vakarova: Dog clothing production (Bark&Go), Lviv.
  62. Oksana Moroz: Pet furniture manufacturing (Petso), Chernihiv.
  63. Kateryna Motrych: Jewelry and accessory manufacturing (MOTRYCH STUDIO), Kyiv.
  64. Alina Serdiuk: Women’s clothing production (byMe), Vyshhorod, Kyiv Region.
  65. Nataliia Herheliuk: Clothing with Ukrainian embroidery production (Gaptuvalnya), Ivano-Frankivsk.

 

KSE Foundation works daily to support people and the development of an innovative Ukraine through education, thanks to contributors and partners.
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