The $1 million grant program “CREATE!” from the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund, and KSE Foundation, with the compliance support of Oschadbank JSC and expert assessment by KSE Graduate Business School, announces new winners. The project aims to help Ukrainian women in manufacturing scale their businesses.
Iryna Mayorova owns Vymova, a speech therapy game aid manufacturer based in Ovruch, Zhytomyr region. The entrepreneur’s business produces speech therapy games for correctional and developmental classes with children.
With the grant money, the winner will purchase two laser machines and a UV printer, expanding the range and improving the quality of her products.
“The world is changing too fast, so our task is to keep up,” Iryna shares her vision of the key to a successful business.
Svitlana Chub founded Richka herbal teas in Shcherbani village, Poltava region. The winner’s products are made from crops grown on her farm.
The entrepreneur will buy equipment for grinding medicinal plants with the grant money. This will help her scale up production and reduce production costs.
“My dream is to create a profitable business model for a closed production cycle – from seed to finished product,” says Svitlana.
Tetyana Boyko heads the Tasty Jar pastilles and fruit chips business in Vinnytsia. The grantee uses 100% natural raw materials with no added sugar, artificial colors, or preservatives.
With the grant, the winner will automate production processes by purchasing equipment for cutting pastille and a machine for pitting and cutting apples and pears.
“I want to popularise natural fruit and berry pastille and show people in Ukraine and abroad that it is easy to eat healthy and high-quality food,” adds Tetiana.
Olena Zvarych co-founded Fix Union, a Lviv street furniture and lighting company. The winner’s products help to make cities more functional, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable.
The grant will allow the entrepreneur to purchase a jointer and a fluting machine to localize and modernize her production processes.
“My business dream is to create a company that sets the standards for the future urban spaces,” says Olena.
Yuliia Shapovalova is a co-owner of Life Style Camper, a campervan production company based in Kyiv. The grantee’s company produces teardrop-shaped trailers for travelers on wheels.
With the funds received, the winner will automate production, purchase software, and invest in equipment for technical inspection of campers before shipment.
“We plan to develop our range of campervans and enter the US and Canadian markets,” says Yulia.
According to the program’s results, the organizing committee received over a thousand applications from Ukrainian businesswomen. The names of the following will be announced gradually.
The Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF, formerly Western NIS Enterprise Fund) invests in funds for the implementation of the grant program. The fund supports initiatives to promote reforms in Ukraine and transformative projects.