The UCL School of Management hosted its second  Pitch  Day Competition on Wednesday 04 December, marking the conclusion of the  Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine Lecture Series  for 2024. The event brought current and previous participants and mentors, as well as members of the UCL community together with business professionals that  included angel and venture capital investors.  On the night, ten participants presented their innovative start-ups, competing for cash prizes of £1,000 to invest in their businesses. The event also celebrated the achievements of all 2024 participants, who were awarded with certificates, recognising their successful completion of the Lecture Series. 

Delivering an inspiring keynote address, Andriy Kolodyuk, Chairman of the Ukrainian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association and Founder of AVentures Capital, emphasised the unique opportunities that exist for Ukrainian entrepreneurs. He stated, “This is the best time to be an entrepreneur out of Ukraine - not just to rebuild Ukraine but to innovate on a global scale. Entrepreneurs in Ukraine are solving problems, delivering results, and creating impact, all while innovating under enormous pressure - under fire - with no red tape to hold them back. What is being built today will serve as an MVP for solutions worldwide, proving that resilience and ingenuity can reshape the future of global business and society.” 

With just five minutes to pitch, the entrepreneurs faced a tough challenge but delivered compelling presentations. Their start-up ideas included solutions such as agricultural spraying drones, energy capture systems for rail freight, and an online platform showcasing Ukrainian products and brands. 

Reflecting on the event, Nataliia Hrytsiuk, Lecture Series Lead, said: “This event underscores the incredible talent and determination of Ukrainian entrepreneurs. It has been inspiring to witness how the participants have embraced the skills and knowledge shared throughout the Lecture Series and translated them into actionable, impactful ideas. By empowering these entrepreneurs, we are not only fostering business growth but also contributing to the rebuilding of Ukraine’s future, one innovation at a time.” 

Celebrating Innovation and Building a Community 

The Pitch Day Competition celebrated the creativity of participants by awarding the top three pitches with one of three prizes: Best Pitch, Best Idea, and the Audience Choice Award. The awards recognised outstanding contributions to innovation, business growth, and the rebuilding of Ukraine. The current cohort will now join a growing community of Ukrainian alumni who continue to drive impact and exchange insights. 

The judging panel - Noa Hazavelet (Head of Google Accelerator, EMEA), Lyubov Guk (Founding Partner of Blue Lake VC), Marc Ortmans (Chair Co-founder GEN UK, Director Restart Ukraine), and Jerry Allen (Director of Entrepreneurship at UCL Innovation and Enterprise) - faced the challenging task of selecting just one winner for each category.