The Visionest Institute officially launched the pilot program “Born Global Ukraine” on October 17, 2024, in Kyiv. This innovative educational initiative aims to develop new businesses and help them quickly and effectively enter international markets. The program is implemented in partnership with the Ukrainian Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office (EEPO) and as part of the national Diia.Business project. It is supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Development Cooperation Partnership (DCP) and Estonia’s ESTDEV.
Recruitment of Export Consultants
To ensure the program’s success, Visionest Institute is recruiting 20 export consultants from alumni of the Export Consultant Mastery Program. These consultants will undergo a specialized “train-the-trainer” program led by international mentors from the UK, Italy, Estonia, and Germany. This training equips them to teach and guide aspiring entrepreneurs effectively.
Preparations for this began with a meeting in Kyiv, where alumni were engaged in planning the program’s framework. These export consultants will play a pivotal role in delivering the educational initiative to participants across Ukraine.
Recruitment of Participants
Born Global Ukraine invites aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners to join this cutting-edge free educational program. It is designed to:
- Provide 8 practical training modules in a gamified format.
- Offer mentorship support from Ukrainian and international experts.
- Help participants create businesses focused on global markets.
The program is structured into three key stages:
✅ Stage 1 (Dec 2024 – Mar 2025): Participants begin their journey with a competitive selection process and online regional hackathons. This phase is designed to help applicants form teams, refine their business ideas, and establish a foundation for their global aspirations. After this stage, 100 teams with at least 2 members per team will be created and will have a unique chance to turn ideas into thriving global businesses.
✅ Stage 2 (Apr 2025 – Aug 2025): The core of the program features gamified practical training across eight thematic modules. Participants will gain hands-on experience in areas such as market entry, innovation, and business strategy, with expert trainers guiding them throughout the process.
✅Stage 3 (Sept 2025 – Dec 2025): In this final phase, participants will receive one-on-one mentorship from both Ukrainian and international experts. This personalized guidance will help them fine-tune their business models and prepare for global market expansion.
What Participants Will Gain:
– Eight educational modules covering critical aspects of building an international business
– Practical workshops and hands-on assignments, with feedback from industry experts
– Access to a virtual training center with valuable resources and lectures
– An international certificate upon successful completion of the program
– Opportunities to network with other participants, graduates, and mentors from around the world
Who Is It For?
This program is open to:
- Aspiring entrepreneurs with innovative ideas.
- Existing business owners with new projects.
- Special focus on women, veterans, and people with disabilities.
The Program Has Already Started
In December 2024, Born Global kicked off with the first two hackathons:
- December 12, 2024: The first online hackathon for participants from Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, and Khmelnytskyi regions.
- December 17, 2024: The second hackathon for participants from Cherkasy, Poltava, and Kirovohrad regions.
These events featured:
- Team-building opportunities to create the “dream team.”
- Testing the viability of business ideas.
- Collaboration with international mentors from the UK, Italy, Estonia, and Germany.
What’s Next?
In January and February, hackathons will continue for other regions, and participants can join multiple events regardless of their location.
Ambitious Goals and Long-Term Vision
Born Global Ukraine aims to:
- Conduct 10 hackathons across Ukraine to form 100 teams, ensuring representation from all regions of Ukraine, including the East and South.
- Prioritize inclusivity, emphasizing the participation of women, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Born Global Ukraine promises a rapid and effective pathway to entrepreneurial and global market success, empowering participants to turn their dreams into thriving businesses.
Born Global Ukraine is implemented in partnership with the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office (Ukraine), Diia.Business, and is funded by the U.S. Department of State under the Development Cooperation Partnership Program (DCP) and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).