The UCL School of Management hosted its third Pitch Day Competition on Wednesday 03 December, marking the conclusion of the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine Lecture Series 2025. The event brought together current and former participants, mentors, members of the UCL community, and business professionals, as well asangel and venture capital investors. Over the course of the evening, 10 entrepreneurs presented their ventures, competing for three £1,000 awards to support the development of their start-ups. The ceremony also celebrated the achievements of all 2025 cohort participants, who received certificates recognising their successful completion of the Lecture Series.
A highlight of the evening was a keynote address delivered live from Kyiv, Valeriya Ionan, Advisor to the First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and former Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation, who reflected on the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in shaping Ukraine’s future: "Ukraine has proven that digital transformation can change a country for the better. From Diia to BRAVE1, we build solutions that work in the toughest conditions. Our partnership with UCL is a strategic step in Ukraine’s innovation journey. By working with one of the world’s leading academic institutions, we combine global expertise with Ukraine’s experience. Tonight, I see the next generation of Ukrainian entrepreneurs. They are ambitious, bold, and ready to lead. I am confident they will help shape Ukraine’s future and influence the future of global innovation”
10 startups competed for the Best Pitch, Best Idea, and the Audience Choice Award. These awards highlight significant contributions to innovation, venture development and Ukraine’s rebuilding efforts. With ten minutes to pitch, the entrepreneurs presented compelling ideas across defence technology, cyber security, wellbeing, financial technology, and creative industries. The finalists were Strix, Green Vision, Cybrina, FeelReel, TREMBITA, Finbox AI, SETMINDSET, String World, BUMA, and Huless.
Further details and contact information for all 2025 finalists are available in the event brochure.
The judging panel, which included Viktor Gursky, Partner at 1991 Ventures, Magaryta Sivakova, Co-Founder of Legal Nodes and UA Tech London, and Marc Ortmans, Chair and Co-Founder of Gen UK and Director at Restart Ukraine, faced a challenging task in selecting this year’s winners.
- Best Pitch was awarded to Trembita
- Trembita is the next generation of humanitarian demining technology (MULTI-RTK) is built for tough, real-world conditions, remaining stable and functional even under jamming or offline. It acts as a quality control system by recording every action for complete transparency.
- Best idea was awarded to Cybrina
- Cybrina is a real-time cyber crisis co-pilot for AI-enabled businesses, providing instant, team-wide guidance during incidents. Built on legal, compliance, and crisis-communications expertise and reinforced by Ukraine’s cyber-resilience capabilities, it protects stakeholders and safeguards reputation.
- Audience Choice was awarded to FeelReel
- FeelReel is a mood-based movie recommendation platform that supports emotional wellbeing. Its AI- and EQ-driven system guides users toward content that comforts, uplifts, or helps them reset, while fostering a supportive community that reduces loneliness.
Reflecting on the event, Nataliia Hrytsiuk, Lecture Series Lead, said, “The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine Lecture Series plays a special role: it not only provides education but also shapes a new generation of entrepreneurs who think strategically, act responsibly, and are able to respond to complex challenges. It is an investment in future leaders who will support the rebuilding of Ukraine and contribute to its growth.”
Pierre-Jean (PJ) Hanard, Entrepreneurship Education Lead at the UCL School of Management, commented, “Entrepreneurship education at UCL School of Management is about more than launching businesses: it is about empowering individuals to create meaningful, lasting impact. The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine Lecture Series exemplifies how entrepreneurship can be a force for good, supporting the rebuilding of the country, strengthening communities, and empowering individuals.”
Applications for the 2026 Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine Lecture Series will open in Spring 2026. Prospective participants are encouraged to look out for further announcements and updates.
