On March 27, the long-anticipated Born Global Ukraine program officially kicked off, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for Ukrainian entrepreneurs. This unique initiative is designed to help aspiring business owners develop their ideas into internationally competitive startups from the very start.
A Program with No Analogues in Ukraine
Born Global Ukraine is the first program of its kind in the country. It brings together the expertise of 21 Ukrainian trainers and international experts from the UK, Italy, Estonia, Germany, and Finland. Their collective knowledge forms a comprehensive learning experience that equips participants with the skills and strategies needed to enter global markets.
Over the past months, seven open online hackathons served as a selection platform, allowing participants to showcase their ideas, form teams, and gain valuable feedback. Now, with the launch of the program, the real work begins!
Grand Opening: A Day of Inspiration
The launch event gathered nearly 90 participants, who had the opportunity to hear from key figures driving the program:
🔹 Marika Kundla, Project Manager, ESTDEV – Estonian Center for International Development Cooperation
🔹 Oleksii Grushestskyi, Deputy Director, Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office
🔹 Anu-Mall Naarits, CEO, Visionest Institute, lead trainer & program developer
The event also featured international mentors and Ukrainian trainers, who shared valuable insights:
🌍 Jean Sutton – international program developer & business expert
🇺🇦 Marianna Kravchenko, Olha Hurtova, Nadiia Karpliuk – Ukrainian export consultants & program trainers
What Awaits the Participants?
The selected entrepreneurs will embark on a dynamic, gamified learning experience designed to enhance their global business acumen. The program includes:
📚 8 educational modules covering market entry strategies, financial planning, marketing, and risk management
🎯 Practical online workshops & expert feedback sessions
👥 Collaborative teamwork & mentorship
🎓 Internationally recognized certification
With structured training, expert guidance, and continuous mentorship, participants will develop real-world skills to establish successful businesses on the global stage.
The Road Ahead
The energy and enthusiasm at the launch event were truly inspiring. As the program progresses, participants will gain not only knowledge but also the network and confidence to take their businesses international. This is just the beginning of an exciting journey!
🎉 Congratulations to all selected participants! Your commitment and passion have already set you apart. We look forward to seeing your growth and success in the global marketplace. Stay tuned for more updates!
The Born Global Ukraine project is developed by Visionest Institute (Estonia) and implemented in cooperation with Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office (Ukraine) and the national project Diia.Business. The project is implemented with financial support by ESTDEV – Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV).