UCL School of Management recently participated in a high-impact seminar titled ‘Promoting Entrepreneurship among Ukrainian Citizens in the UK: Diaspora Contribution to Ukraine’s Reconstruction and UK-Ukraine Bilateral Cooperation’. The event brought together Ukrainian entrepreneurs, policymakers and academics to explore the role of the diaspora in post-war recovery and cross-border entrepreneurial collaboration.
Held in alignment with the ‘100-Year Partnership Agreement’ between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, the seminar was part of the Fostering Entrepreneurship Among Ukrainian Citizens in the UK event and provided a platform to strengthen business diplomacy, foster innovation, and open new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors.
Dr. Nataliia Hrytsiuk, Research Fellow at the UCL School of Management, spoke on the importance of diaspora engagement through entrepreneurial initiatives. She also presented the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine lecture series. Launched in 2023, the initiative equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge and networks needed to contribute to Ukraine’s economic transformation.
“Ukrainians abroad are active participants in Ukraine’s future. Through entrepreneurship and innovation, the diaspora plays a key role in the country’s reconstruction,” she noted.
The seminar featured contributions from leading academics and practitioners. Professor Anna Grosman (Loughborough University) emphasised the value of institutional collaboration across academia, business, and government, while Dr. Victoria Vdovychenko (University of Cambridge) discussed the geopolitical implications of the war and the diaspora’s influence on international policy.
The programme also included entrepreneurs who shared their experiences of establishing and growing businesses in the UK, highlighting both the professional and personal dimensions of entrepreneurship. They discussed the importance of collaboration between Ukrainian and British companies and how entrepreneurial initiatives can help maintain social and cultural connections within the Ukrainian community abroad.
Participants discussed shared priorities for action, including:
- Overcoming barriers for Ukrainian companies entering the UK market;
- Strengthening the role of the diaspora in Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction;
- Launching Autonomy Lab and the online platform Accelerator Hub to support startups through mentorship and incubation;
- Developing educational initiatives to promote entrepreneurship.
The seminar was organised with the participation of UCL School of Management, the University of Cambridge, and Loughborough University, and supported by the Association of Ukrainian Mayors, the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation, and the Milton Keynes and Irpin City Councils.
