Over 7,600 Applications and Dozens of New Businesses Through REDpreneurUA

The REDpreneurUA programme officially launched in September 2024 and, through four cohorts, has become a major platform supporting social, innovative, and veteran entrepreneurship. During this time, the programme received more than 7,600 applications from all regions of Ukraine under government control. As a result, 56 participants received grant support, enabling them to start or resume their entrepreneurial activities. The total value of grants awarded last year was UAH 23.2 million.

In 2025, supporting small businesses became more than just an economic tool — it was a vital part of the country’s recovery. Entrepreneurs working in communities create jobs, introduce innovations, and take on social responsibility, forming the foundation of Ukraine’s economic resilience. The REDpreneurUA programme has demonstrated how systematic support for entrepreneurship can deliver tangible results even under the most challenging conditions.

The programme’s training and mentoring components were provided by the School of ME: School of Mindful Entrepreneurship, and the Ukrainian Future Business Incubator, which guided participants from developing their business ideas to launching and scaling their ventures.

In 2025, the business ideas supported through REDpreneurUA spanned more than 20 sectors of the economy, from manufacturing and services to energy, education, and the creative industries. Among them are the agro-drone school “Poletily”, which teaches modern agricultural technologies, and a mobile fire-extinguisher recharging service that improves community safety. Innovation is also represented by U:Motto, producing next-generation brushless motors, and WITERoK, a compact vertical wind turbine designed for efficient operation in low-wind conditions.

Alongside these technological solutions, manufacturing and service businesses addressing everyday needs have also developed. These include a car service station in Vinnytsia, the social enterprise Metal Comfort of Life, which produces handcrafted metal and wire products, and Formotvorchi Toys, a workshop creating movable 3D-printed toys. The creative sector is represented by One True Skateboards, which combines handcrafted skateboards, premium materials, and street culture.

Some businesses combined social impact with veteran experience. For example, Mandry in UA is a veteran-led social project offering mobile home rentals, creating modern camping experiences for families, and rehabilitating servicemen, while StepGreen is an initiative that recycles plastic waste into durable, eco-friendly paving slabs. In 2025, the programme’s winners employed over 60 people from vulnerable groups, marking one of REDpreneurUA’s key social achievements.

The REDpreneurUA programme is implemented by the Ukrainian Red Cross in partnership with the Austrian Red Cross, with support from the NACHBAR IN NOT Foundation (Austria) and the Spanish Red Cross.

The results from 2025 demonstrate that REDpreneurUA is not just about grants — it is about creating sustainable businesses that operate in communities, respond to contemporary challenges, and contribute to Ukraine’s long-term economic recovery.