Entrepreneurship Support

Problem Situation
After the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian entrepreneurs faced a new reality – markets shrank, costs increased, and sources of funding became limited or inaccessible. Grant programs that used to be the main support for small businesses gradually began to decrease.
Banks, which usually focus on large clients, often overlook micro and small businesses. To get a loan, one needs a credit history, collateral, and stable income – things many entrepreneurs, especially women starting from scratch or after displacement, often lack. Bureaucracy, complex documents, and long application reviews become even bigger barriers for entrepreneurs in small towns and rural communities.
Moreover, Ukraine had not yet conducted a large-scale study to reveal the real attitudes of entrepreneurs – their struggles, needs, strengths, goals, and difficulties in accessing finance.
Another issue is the lack of a mixed-finance culture. Each institution talked only about its own product – banks about loans, donors about grants, insurers about guarantees. There was no joint discussion about how businesses can grow by combining tools such as loans, grants, guarantees, and insurance.
As a result, many entrepreneurs with ideas and potential could not move forward because they lacked knowledge and access to financial opportunities.

Solution
VisionFund Ukraine saw this as an opportunity – not just to provide loans but to become a true partner for small businesses.
We understood that for the Ukrainian economy to grow, it’s important to help those who are often unheard – entrepreneurs, self-employed people, and microbusiness owners, especially in small communities and villages.
That’s why we focused on three key areas:

• Simplified lending conditions – fast, online, without complicated procedures.

• Fintech solutions – a fully digital system allowing clients to apply for a loan without visiting an office.

• Educational mission – helping entrepreneurs understand how the financial ecosystem works, where grants, loans, and insurance don’t compete but complement each other.

We were the first in Ukraine to launch the educational program “Simple Talk About Finance”, designed to increase entrepreneurs’ knowledge about mixed financing – how to get not only bank or non-bank loans but also grants, guarantees, or insurance.
The program focuses on real stories, simple language, and practical advice. We engaged experts and partners who not only share theory but also help entrepreneurs understand complex financial processes.

“We wanted the voices of small businesses to be heard louder. Ukrainians need not only access to finance but also the understanding of how to use it responsibly. We aim for the well-being of communities, families, and children, so we create solutions that work in real life/” (Wesley Jordan, CEO, VisionFund Ukraine).

We also conducted the first national survey among participants of our educational webinars to better understand small businesses – their motivation, fears, and barriers.
VisionFund Ukraine became the first non-bank financial institution to join the national Finance Her Alliance – an initiative uniting banks, non-bank institutions, the government, and international partners to promote fair access for women to finance, public procurement, and financial, digital, and entrepreneurial literacy.

“We strive to build a financial culture among entrepreneurs – their mindset, responsibility, and self-reliance in financial planning. We want businesses to learn not just to survive but to grow,” (Alina Sevastyuk).

Results
Between April and August 2025, VisionFund Ukraine conducted a survey among 239 participants of the “Simple Talk About Finance for SMEs” program. This became the first analytical overview in Ukraine of entrepreneurs’ educational and financial needs.
Most participants had higher education (81.7%) and belonged to the active age group (30–49 years). The geography covered all of Ukraine – from Kyiv (17.4%) to Lviv (13.5%) and Mykolaiv (10.4%) regions.
One-third of the participants were self-employed or business owners, while 33% admitted they were just starting their entrepreneurial journey. This proves that education motivates people to start their own businesses.

Main barriers found by the study:

• 56.6% consider access to bank loans low.

• 54.9% face difficulties with state programs.

• 36.8% of those who applied for a loan were denied.

At the same time, 40.2% said that consulting support works best – access to advice and knowledge, not just money, is the most valuable help. This confirmed the importance of educational and awareness programs.

We also focused on inclusion: 3.3% of participants with disabilities faced barriers when applying for loans, and only 13.1% said their workplaces are fully adapted. This showed that financial inclusion is not only about money but also about creating accessible business environments.

Key educational needs:

• Difficulty obtaining grants (50.4%)

• Lack of working capital (47.5%)

• Finding new clients (29.2%)

• Managing financial documentation (24.6%)

Thus, the main need of Ukrainian small businesses is not only access to finance but also knowledge of how to manage it.

Story of Change: Bakery
Оur client is one of those who proved that knowledge and support can change lives.

The war reached her back in 2014. She lost her home and job and moved with her family to a small village near Kyiv. It was there, thanks to humanitarian aid, that she opened a small bakery.

Every morning, the warm aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air, and gradually people began to gather around. Over time, the bakery became more than just a business – it became a community hub. Our client started supplying bread to schools and kindergartens, created new jobs, and helped families stay afloat during difficult times.

Later, she took a loan from VisionFund Ukraine to buy new equipment and optimize production. This allowed her to increase output, reach new customers, and make her business more profitable, improving the well-being of her family and the community.

“We see stories like this as proof that access to finance and financial literacy are not just theory but a path to developing communities,” – says VisionFund Ukraine.

Partners on Cooperation
Oleh Prykhodko, Chairman of the Board of the Partial Credit Guarantee Fund in Agriculture:

“Cooperation with organizations like VisionFund Ukraine allows us to support agricultural producers who are often overlooked by traditional lenders. We are confident our partnership will promote sustainable development of small agricultural businesses in Ukraine.”

Volodymyr Heraimovych, Lead Expert at Agroanalytics LLC:

“If you want to grow, don’t rely only on grants. You need good credit, a business reputation, reporting, and a clear vision. VisionFund Ukraine is the partner that helps you build this systematically.”

Conclusion
The “Simple Talk About Finance” case became an example of how a non-bank financial institution can transform the culture of financial access.
VisionFund Ukraine doesn’t just issue loans – we help form a new financial mindset, teaching entrepreneurs to think strategically, plan ahead, combine resources, and use different tools for growth.
Without this initiative, many entrepreneurs would have remained outside economic life. Today, their businesses not only operate but also support communities, create jobs, and give hope that financial literacy is not about formulas – it’s about life that you can build with your own hands in Ukraine now.