empowering ukrainian entrepreneurs to rebuild through entrepreneurship

The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine Lecture Series is a flagship initiative by UCL School of Management that supports aspiring and early-stage Ukrainian entrepreneurs—especially those affected by the war—to develop ventures that drive impact, resilience, and recovery in Ukraine and beyond.

The programme combines world-class entrepreneurship education, tailored mentorship, and access to UCL’s global network. Since its launch in 2023, it has empowered over 80 changemakers to turn ideas into ventures and visions into action.

overview

Start date: 02 September - 02 December (with a one week break). 
Location: UCL School of Management, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf
Time: Wednesdays from 18:30 - 21:00
Fees: £0 - places are limited and awarded through a competitive application process
Language: Ukrainian, English
Format: In-person (with optional hybrid elements)
Duration: 12 weeks (part-time commitment)
Session Length: Each weekly session runs for 2.5 hours, including a 30-minute networking break
Support: Expert mentoring, workshops, community events

Download a brochure

The lecture series

Transform your idea into a reality and help rebuild Ukraine as an entrepreneur.

Launch event (02/09/26): A welcoming and celebratory gathering where participants meet alumni, share experiences, and build new connections, while getting to know the course leaders, teachers, and mentors, discovering the programme, and setting the tone for the journey ahead.

Lecture 1 (09/09/26): Start-ups as a New Form of Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century
What is a start-up and why do they matter? In this session, we’ll explore how start-ups differ from traditional businesses and why they are key drivers of innovation and economic recovery in the 21st century. You’ll learn:

• The history and evolution of start-ups
• What defines a start-up in today’s global economy
• How small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have become powerful vehicles for impact
• What we can learn from the UK’s most successful start-up stories

We’ll also host a panel discussion with Ukrainian entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom on the same date as Lecture 1. This focused conversation will bring together Ukrainian business owners who have started or developed their ventures in the UK, sharing their experiences of adapting to a new market, overcoming challenges, building networks, and exploring opportunities for future cooperation between Ukraine and the UK.

Lecture 2 (18/09/26): How to present yourself and your idea in 1 minute
Why is it important to speak clearly and convincingly? This session focuses on the art of delivering a concise and compelling personal and business pitch — a key skill for attracting investors, partners, or clients. We’ll explore the structure of a strong elevator pitch and how to tailor your message to different audiences. You’ll learn:

• How to craft an effective 60-second pitch
• How to communicate your idea clearly and emotionally
• Common mistakes that ruin first impressions
• Examples of successful short pitches

Workshop: Finding the Solution
In this practical session, participants will explore potential solutions to the problems identified in Lecture 1. The focus will shift from problem thinking to value creation.

Lecture 3 (23/09/26): The Art of Team Formation: Approaches, Models and Technology
A good idea is not enough — you need a strong team. Behind every successful venture is a well-formed team. In this session, we’ll explore proven strategies for building teams that are not only skilled but aligned around a shared mission. You’ll learn:

• Different approaches to forming a start-up team
• Popular models of team roles and dynamics
• How to use technology to enhance collaboration
• What makes a founding team resilient and scalable

Workshop: Idea Presentation and Idea Formation
In this practical session, participants will present their ideas in 60 seconds.

Lecture 4 (07/10/26): Design Thinking, Market Segmentation and Customer Personas
Learn how to understand people’s needs, generate ideas, and test solutions. We’ll also cover steps like empathising with users, defining problems, creating ideas, and building and testing simple prototypes. 

In this lecture, we will explore the tools required for conducting a competitive market analysis so that you can assess your competitors and enhance your overall business strategy. We’ll dive into market segmentation and the creation of customer personas, enabling you to refine your marketing efforts and focus on the most promising segments. You’ll learn:

• Tools for competitive analysis: learn how to analyse your competitors and use that information to improve your business strategy
• Market segmentation: how to divide the market into segments for targeted marketing
• How to create a customer persona. Master the methods for identifying the needs and desires of your target audience
• Competitor analysis and positioning. Learn how to evaluate your competitors and find your unique market niche

Lecture 5 (14/10/26): Developing a Start-up Business Model
In this lecture, we will explore the key components of a start-up business model and how to differentiate them depending on the type of enterprise. Using case studies from the UK, you will learn how to build a business model canvas, including the Value Proposition Canvas. Understanding your market, target audience and market segmentation is essential for aligning your product to the market. Learn how to create a unique value proposition canvas for your start-up. You’ll learn:

• Understand the essential elements that make up a business model
• Learn how to construct a canvas business model, which is a visual representation of the key components of your business
• Discover how to align your product or service with your customers’ needs and create a compelling value proposition

Lecture 6 (21/10/26): Pitching: Structure of Your Presentation
A strong pitch doesn’t start with delivery - it starts with structure. Before you can persuade investors or stakeholders, you need a clear, logical narrative that communicates your idea effectively. In this session, we will break down how to build a pitch from the ground up and organise your message for maximum impact. You’ll learn:

• The essential structure of a successful pitch, including how to address a problem, solution, market, business model and traction
• How to organise your ideas into a clear and compelling narrative flow
• To identify the information investors expect to see and how to prioritise it
• How to develop a structured pitch deck that supports your story and strengthens your message

Lecture 7 (28/10/26): Selection of Pitchers for the 2025 Pitch Day Edition (Semi-Final)
In this workshop, participants will focus on refining their pitches and preparing for the Pitch Day event. The semi-final stage will involve selecting the best start-up ideas based on the strength of their pitches. We will discuss the key factors that make a pitch stand out, including clarity, market potential, and the ability to persuade and inspire. You’ll learn:

• Get insights on how to perfect your pitch for the final presentation, focusing on timing, structure and delivery
• Gain an understanding of what makes a pitch successful from an investor’s perspective and how to align your message accordingly

Lecture 8 (04/11/26): Finding Funding and Working with Venture Capital Firms
In this lecture, participants will learn about various sources of funding for start-ups, particularly venture capital firms, and how to successfully engage with venture capitalists to secure investment for business growth. We will discuss strategies for seeking funding, preparing for negotiations, and working with venture capital firms at different stages of your start-up’s development. You’ll learn:

• Key sources of funding for start-ups: Explore different funding options such as angel investors, venture capital firms, crowdfunding, and government grants.
• How to work with venture capital firms: Learn the process of securing investment from venture capitalists, including the negotiation stages, business evaluation, and requirements for start-ups.
• Preparing for negotiations with investors: Get tips on preparing for negotiations with potential investors, including creating a clear business model, calculating financial needs, and assessing risks.
• What venture capitalists look for in start-ups: Understand the factors that influence venture capital decisions and how to tailor your business pitch accordingly.
• Common mistakes when working with venture capital firms: Learn about typical mistakes to avoid when engaging with investors and how to effectively communicate with potential financial partners.

Lecture 9 (11/11/26) Marketing and Communications in Start-Up Development
How can you use marketing and communication strategies to grow your start-up? In this lecture, we will focus on the crucial role of marketing and communications in the development of a start-up. You will learn how to develop effective marketing strategies, communicate your brand message clearly, and build strong relationships with customers, investors, and stakeholders. You’ll learn:

• Why marketing is essential for start-up success and how it helps establish your brand in a competitive market.
• How to communicate your start-up’s story, mission, and values in a compelling way that resonates with your target audience.
• How to utilise digital marketing tools such as social media, content marketing, and email campaigns to reach a wider audience.
• How to create long-lasting relationships with your customers through personalised communication and excellent customer service.
• How to use PR strategies to build credibility and increase visibility for your start-up.

Lecture 10 (18/11/26): Business Registration and the Basics of Tax Reporting
Unsure of how you can register your business and navigate the basics of tax reporting? In this lecture, we will guide participants through the essential steps of registering a business and understanding tax reporting requirements for start-ups. You will learn about the different business structures available, how to choose the right one for your start-up, and how to ensure compliance with local tax laws. You’ll learn:

• The different types of business structures (sole proprietorship, partnership, limited company, etc.) and how to select the best one for your start-up.
• The step-by-step process of registering your business, including necessary documents and legal requirements.
• An overview of the taxes that apply to start-ups, including income tax, VAT, and payroll taxes.

Lecture 11 (25/11/26): Using AI and Digital Tools for Business Automation and Remote Management
Modern business is no longer tied to a physical office or manual processes. The use of AI and digital tools enables companies to automate operations, optimise costs, and manage teams effectively from anywhere in the world. In this session, we will explore how to integrate technology into business processes and build a system for efficient remote management. You’ll learn:

• How AI tools can automate key business processes such as marketing, sales, and customer support
• To select the right digital tools for managing teams, tasks and communication
• To build an effective remote work system without losing control or productivity
• How to optimise operational processes through automation and reduction of manual work

Final (02/12/26): Pitch Day

The programme concludes with a Pitch Day, a live event where the top 10 teams will present their startups to a panel of judges. Selected to pitch based on the strength of their ideas and pitches, these teams will compete for the top prizes.

Three winning teams will be awarded £1,000 each to support the development of their start-ups. This is an opportunity to showcase your progress, gain valuable feedback, and take your business to the next level.

A unique learning environment

You will learn this lecture series in-person on Level 50 of One Canada Square, the highest floor of Canary Wharf, taught by Ukrainian academics both in-person and online. All academics teaching on the programme have successful academics careers in Ukraine and, since the war, some professors on the programme have joined partner universities for the year. 

UCL School of Management is the business school of University College London, one of the world’s leading universities. Your fellow programme attendees will be aspiring entrepreneurs from a range of industries, bringing a wealth of different experiences. 
 
UCL’s strong emphasis on research and progressive approach to teaching means your course will be a dynamic exploration of how to build a business that will not only survive in a post-war climate, but will thrive to support the redevelopment of Ukraine. By the end of the lecture series, you will feel empowered to develop your business idea and have the ability to apply your new knowledge and skills to launch your own venture.

the inaugural cohort

In 2023, the UCL School of Management launched the course “Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine” — an educational initiative aimed at supporting young Ukrainian entrepreneurs. The project quickly gained momentum and proved its effectiveness. Over the course of two years, more than 80 participants have completed the programme, and 20 teams have presented their own start-ups, competing for investment prizes of £1,000 each. These funds served as seed capital to help scale their ideas and grow their businesses.

To launch the inaugural Lecture Series, UCL School of Management hosted a Launch Event in Canary Wharf, which was attended by His Excellency, Vadym Prystaiko, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the UK, who engaged in a conversation with Geraint Rees, UCL Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation and Global Engagement) to discuss the changing entrepreneurial landscape in Ukraine following the outbreak of war.

Much like the 2024 edition, the inaugural Lecture Series finished with a Pitch Day to showcase the incredible Ukrainian entrepreneurs who took part. Attending the Pitch Day were distinguished guests from across the UCL community, as well as our keynote speaker Kostiantyn Koshelenko, the Deputy Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine for Digital Development, Digital Transformation and Digitalisation, who joined with a live link directly from Ukraine.

Discussing the project, Deputy Minister Kostiantyn stated:

“This lecture series … is an important step towards recovery of the prosperity of Ukraine … your ideas and projects have the potential not only to strengthen the economy, but also to improve the well-being of every Ukrainians. And I want to assure you that the Ukrainian government fully supports your efforts.”

Find out more about the Inaugural Next Generation Pitch Day 2023

2024 iteration of next generation of entrepreneurs for ukraine

In 2024, a highlight of the Pitch Day was the keynote address delivered by Andriy Kolodyuk, Chairman of the Ukrainian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and Founder of AVentures Capital. His inspiring message spotlighted the remarkable potential of Ukrainian entrepreneurs:

“There has never been a better time to be an entrepreneur from Ukraine — not only to rebuild the country but to drive innovation on a global scale. Ukrainian founders are solving real problems and delivering results under immense pressure. What they’re building today is a minimum viable product for global solutions — a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power to redefine the future of business and society.”

Read more about the 2024 Pitch Day

Our Faculty

In the latest Research Excellence Framework, 95% of the UCL School of Management’s research was considered world-leading and internationally excellent. All attendees will benefit from access to UCL School of Management’s resources and facilities.

Dr. Nataliia Hrytsiuk: Research Fellow at UCL School of Management 

Dr. Hrytsiuk has extensive research experience in business studies and strategic management as well as personal self-development. She has experience in teaching, research, undertaking internships and exchange placements in Ukrainian, Estonian (University of Tartu) and Polish (Higher School of Economics) universities.

Dr. Hrytsiuk is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA4Ukraine) Fellow at UCL School of Management, funded by the European Commission. She was selected as 1 of 49 fellows from more than 550 applications submitted across Europe and is the only awardee in the field of economics within her funded cohort. and has over five years of hands-on experience in building and developing businesses.

Her current research project, REFRAME, examines the motivational drivers, ecosystem conditions, and structural factors shaping refugee entrepreneurship and influencing return migration decisions. The project develops evidence-based policy recommendations to support small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) development among displaced entrepreneurs and contributes to strategic frameworks for Ukraine’s post-war economic reconstruction.