Entrepreneurial Networks as a Driver of Ukraine's Recovery: International Experts Gather at UCL to Strengthen UK–Ukraine Collaboration
By Dr Nataliia Hrytsiuk
How can universities contribute to rebuilding a country affected by war? Can entrepreneurial networks become as important as financial investment? What role should the Ukrainian diaspora play in Ukraine's long-term economic recovery?
These questions were at the heart of the international panel discussion "Entrepreneurial Networks as a Driver of Ukraine's Recovery", hosted by UCL School of Management last month as part of the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine project.
Bringing together academics, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and representatives of innovation organisations from the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and Germany, the event explored how higher education, entrepreneurship, and international collaboration can contribute to Ukraine's sustainable recovery and strengthen long-term UK–Ukraine partnerships.
The discussion also reflected on the ways universities can move beyond their traditional roles to become catalysts for innovation, knowledge exchange and societal transformation.
The event took place against the backdrop of the recently signed UK–Ukraine 100-Year Partnership Agreement, highlighting the importance of transforming political commitments into meaningful collaboration between universities, businesses, governments and civil society.
In this piece, I reflect on the key discussions and insights that emerged from the event.
Entrepreneurship, Research and Recovery
In the first session, I presented the development of the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine programme, and I shared findings from my ongoing research on refugee entrepreneurship.
Evidence from my research shows that entrepreneurial engagement with Ukraine is shaped not only by economic conditions but, more importantly, by trusted professional networks, international collaboration and access to entrepreneurial ecosystems. These findings challenge traditional assumptions about post-war recovery and suggest that the Ukrainian diaspora represents one of Ukraine's most valuable long-term strategic assets.
I also highlighted the evolution of the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine programme—from an entrepreneurship education initiative supporting displaced Ukrainians to an internationally recognised research platform examining how entrepreneurial ecosystems contribute to rebuilding economies affected by conflict.
Ukraine's Economic Transformation
Professor Olena Ivashko of Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University gave the keynote address. She examined Ukraine's macroeconomic adaptation during wartime and outlined emerging opportunities for investment and international cooperation.
While recognising the significant challenges facing the country, she highlighted encouraging developments across digital technologies, artificial intelligence, agritech, renewable energy and defence innovation. Professor Ivashko argued that Ukraine's future competitiveness will depend not only on reconstruction funding but also on strong institutional partnerships capable of supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer.
Professor Olena Ivashko giving the keynote address
Innovation as the Foundation for Recovery
Dr Tetiana Sak, Head of the Department of Marketing at Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, focused on innovation-driven economic recovery and presented opportunities across smart reconstruction, green technologies, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, agritech and social entrepreneurship.
Drawing on recent research involving Ukrainian migrant entrepreneurs in the United Kingdom, Dr Sak shared that many entrepreneurs intend to expand their businesses while maintaining long-term economic engagement with Ukraine. These findings reinforce the importance of international entrepreneurial networks in supporting recovery through investment, knowledge exchange and access to global markets.
Dr Tetiana Sak on stage
Entrepreneurship in Times of War
Dr Valentyna Oberemchuk, representing Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg and Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman, presented research examining entrepreneurial decision-making during wartime.
Dr Valentyna Oberemchuk sharing insights from her research
Her work illustrated how Ukrainian entrepreneurs have adapted their strategies in response to unprecedented challenges, creating new business models, preserving employment and supporting local communities. Entrepreneurship, she argued, has become not only an economic activity but also an important source of resilience and social cohesion.
Universities as Conveners of Innovation Ecosystems
Providing an international perspective, Dr Onyaglanu Idoko represented Fast Forward 2030, a global network of impact entrepreneurs hosted by the UCL Institute for Global Prosperity. She reflected on the evolving role of universities in addressing complex global challenges.
She emphasised that universities increasingly act as conveners of diverse stakeholders, connecting research, education, entrepreneurship, public policy and innovation to generate lasting societal impact.
Dr Idoko highlighting the important role universities play in the reconstruction process
A Dialogue Beyond Academia
The panel discussion addressed several strategic questions shaping the future of UK–Ukraine cooperation, including the implementation of the UK–Ukraine 100-Year Partnership, the role of entrepreneurship in post-war reconstruction, financing recovery, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship education, the strategic importance of the Ukrainian diaspora and the contribution universities can make to building resilient innovation ecosystems.
Throughout the discussion, one message emerged consistently– Ukraine's recovery is not only about rebuilding infrastructure. It is equally about rebuilding relationships, strengthening institutions and creating international networks capable of generating knowledge, innovation and long-term economic cooperation.
The event concluded with an extended networking reception, enabling participants to establish new partnerships and explore opportunities for joint research, entrepreneurship education, academic mobility and future international funding applications.
The expert panel
Looking Ahead
The panel discussion represented another important milestone in the growing partnership between University College London and Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University. More importantly, it demonstrated how international university collaboration can contribute to entrepreneurship, innovation and sustainable recovery by connecting people, ideas and institutions across borders.
As Ukraine continues its path towards recovery, initiatives such as this demonstrate that universities can play a unique role—not only as centres of education and research, but as platforms for international cooperation, entrepreneurial development and long-term societal transformation.
Acknowledgements
This event formed part of the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine project, supported by UCL Grand Challenges through the UK–Ukraine ResearchBridge Amplification Grant.
I would like to acknowledge the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA4Ukraine) programme, funded by the European Union, whose support for research has provided the foundation for many of the ideas presented during the event.
Many thanks to the UCL School of Management for hosting the event and providing an inspiring environment for international dialogue and collaboration. My special appreciation goes to Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University for its strategic partnership and continued commitment to strengthening UK–Ukraine cooperation in research, entrepreneurship and higher education.
Finally, on behalf of the organising team, I would like to thank all speakers, participants and representatives of academia, business, innovation organisations and the Ukrainian diaspora whose expertise, insights and enthusiasm made this event a meaningful platform for dialogue and the beginning of new collaborations.
Together, we are building partnerships that will help shape Ukraine's future
About the Author
Dr Nataliia Hrytsiuk
MSCA4Ukraine Postdoctoral Fellow at UCL School of Management
Co-lead, IGP Ukraine Entrepreneurial Innovation Group