Project description:

Challenge: Veterans and military families, upon returning to civilian life, face a lack of business education, startup capital, and support. This complicates their social and economic adaptation and creates a risk of unemployment and financial instability. It was necessary to create a comprehensive program that simultaneously educates, motivates, and provides resources for launching their own businesses.

Solution: To address the challenges faced by veterans and their families, the company created the “Trajectory 2” program as a path from idea to their own business. It combined online lectures with intensive training at 11 Diia.Business centers and in a virtual camp. Participants gained knowledge in finance, marketing, and management, received mentoring support during and after the program, and the best participants could apply for a share of the UAH 20 million grant fund. The program strengthened self-confidence and built a supportive community.

Result: The “Trajectory 2” program attracted over 1,000 participants, with high competition. The total grant fund of UAH 20 million was distributed among 68 participants, who also received mentoring support and exclusive offers from partners. Two finalists of the Grand Pitch Day received the main prizes, namely UAH 1 million and UAH 2 million. As a result, 66 new individual entrepreneurs were registered, 106 jobs were created, and participants gained knowledge, confidence, and a lasting support community.

Partners:

The Ministry of Digital Transformation, the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development, Mastercard, Diia.Business, UNDP in Ukraine (with support from the Government of Japan), Aurora multimarket chain

Category: Veterans Empowerment

Company: UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group

About the company: 

UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group is one of the largest universal banks in Ukraine, a stable partner offering modern and reliable banking with the support of a leading European group, caring for clients and employees, contributing to strengthening the Ukrainian economy, and positively impacting societal development. UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group has been operating in the market since 1990. 60% of the bank’s shares belong to the leading European financial group and sustainable finance leader, BNP Paribas, and 40% to the EBRD.