A certificate program titled “Entrepreneurship for Veterans” has concluded at Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU). This was a comprehensive educational initiative that combined online learning, mentoring support, and a hands-on intensive for veterans who are developing their own businesses. After completing the program, three participants received grants to further develop their projects.
The program ran from October 6 to November 21. It was organized by Ukrainian Catholic University, Universe Group, and the Genesis for Ukraine Charitable Foundation.
During the first stage, the training took place online. Participants studied finance, marketing, management, business strategy, and communications under the guidance of UCU lecturers and experts from Universe Group. Veterans analyzed real business cases, worked on their own ideas, received consultations from mentors and top managers, and gained access to special courses.
From November 18–21, an in-person practicum was held in Lviv at UCU. Over four days, participants presented their business projects, refined their business plans with mentors, tested their ideas, and prepared final presentations for a jury. As a result of the competition, three participants received grants to develop their businesses — one for $30,000 and two for $10,000 each.
“This is not our first program for veterans. All the participants are highly motivated and curious. They communicated a lot with each other and actively shared their experiences,” said Roksoliana Voronovska, Head of the UCU School of Integral Development. “We need more successful businesses in the country, and veterans, with their experience and motivation, will definitely create a lot of value in the market. It is also important that they often involve other veterans in their projects, thereby contributing to reintegration and mutual support.”
The organizers received more than 700 applications from veterans and veteran teams. Following the selection process, 39 participants completed the online training, and 14 of them were invited to the final stage at UCU.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the number of applications and how actively veteran businesses are developing. On the very first day, we received more registrations than expected. This clearly showed how great the demand is for support and learning opportunities for veterans. Our defenders need tools for confident reintegration, and educational programs like this help them move forward,” shared Anastasiia Kladova, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Genesis and Head of the Genesis for Ukraine Charitable Foundation.
In addition to training, participants had the opportunity to join a veteran business community, build partnerships, and connect with investors and experts.
“I am convinced that the main value of this initiative lies in the community that is being formed around it. Here, entrepreneurs can test their ideas and receive feedback. Their determination to create new jobs and develop businesses is inspiring. I believe that veteran entrepreneurship has great potential to become one of the driving forces of Ukraine’s new economy,” emphasized Yaroslav Morozov, Founder and CEO of Universe Group.
