On 30 September 2025, Professor Anna Grosman and Viktoriia Startseva of Loughborough University London hosted a dynamic, full-day workshop: “Fostering Entrepreneurship Among Ukrainian Citizens in the UK: Diaspora Contributions to Ukraine’s Reconstruction and UK–Ukraine Bilateral Engagement.”   
 
Bringing together policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, academics, and mentors, the workshop created a collaborative platform for dialogue and innovation to discuss the challenges and opportunities of entrepreneurship in times of crisis. The event was jointly organised by the Institute for International Management and Entrepreneurship and the Institute for Diplomacy and International Affairs at LUL, in partnership with the UCL School of Management and the University of Cambridge (Centre of Geopolitics).   
 
The purpose was clear: to co-design practical solutions for Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction and to strengthen long-term UK–Ukraine ties under the framework of the “100-Year Partnership Agreement.”   

The workshop welcomed 146 participants in total — both in person and online — working together in a hybrid format that connected London with Ukraine and beyond. 

A Purpose-Driven Agenda

The workshop offered a carefully designed programme that blended policy discussion with entrepreneurial brainstorming and it was opened with presentations from key stakeholders, who shared their success stories and statements of contribution to the ongoing Nuffield Foundation Grant proposal project. Their experiences provided valuable insights into the resilience of institutions and individuals working under extraordinary pressure, and underscored the importance of transnational partnerships. 

Stakeholders included: 

• Dr. Yuliia Lysanets, Fund of the President of Ukraine — online from Ukraine 
• Marianna Yeleyko, Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation — online from Ukraine 
• Dr. Nataliia Hrytsuk , University College London, UK — in person 
• Viktoriia Startseva, Loughborough University London; Founder & CEO of Ukraine Eurointegration Platform UAEP UK — online from Italy 
• Maryna Saprykina, Founder & CEO of Women Rebuilding Hub Ukraine — online from Ukraine 
• Dr. Victoria Vdovychenko , Centre for Geopolitics, University of Cambridge, UK — online from Ukraine 
• Tony Richards, CEO of The Millennium Centre — in person 

Their contributions laid the groundwork for the subsequent panels and discussions, providing a rich foundation of experience and collaborative vision. 

This was followed by a rich Morning Consulting Group and  Discussion Panel moderated by Dr. Nataliia Hrytsiuk (UCL), which delved into the multifaceted roles of entrepreneurs and innovators during wartime. Early sessions featured input from communications, entrepreneurship, and public speaking experts. The session also included a panel of Ukrainian entrepreneurs in the UK — “Bridge for Ukraine’s Reconstruction” — which explored different ways of building partnership through entrepreneurship.   

Speakers included:     

• Serhii Savytskyi, Founder & CEO of SC Consulting Group   
• Oksana Chaiun, Co-founder of LightCraft family   
• Halyna Skvortsova, Founder and host of the Make Sense podcast   
• Maryna Leonchuk, Trainer in public speaking and intercultural communication   
• Anna Azarova, Communications Lead at The British International School, Ukraine 

Together, they shared perspectives on innovation, resilience, and community-building, demonstrating how diaspora-led business initiatives can support Ukraine’s recovery while strengthening UK–Ukraine ties.   
 
Later in the programme, Professor Anna Grosman directed an Interactive Breakout Sessions, simultaneously with Viktoriia Startseva led an interactive brainstorming session with online participants, where Participants rotated through two focused groups: 

  1. What can governments do to support entrepreneurs without direct funding?   
  2. How can entrepreneurs contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and UK–Ukraine bridge-building under the “100-Year Partnership”?   

These discussions produced actionable recommendations, from non-financial government support policies to entrepreneur-driven initiatives for rebuilding communities and economies.   

• Networking Lunch provided a bridge between brainstorming and strategy-building, encouraging new partnerships across policy, business, and academia.   
• Keynote Panel: “The Future of UK–Ukraine Policymaking & Enterprise”: Moderated by Professor Anna Grosman, the panel brought together:   
• Tony Richards (The Millennium Centre, St Helens) – on inclusive communities and civic-driven impact.   
• Tanya Laidlaw (W Legal Limited) – on legal and business frameworks for migration and entrepreneurship.   
• Marc Ortmans Global Entrepreneurship Network UK– on the GEN UK “Restart Ukraine” initiative supporting displaced Ukrainian founders.   

The panel emphasised how civic institutions, legal infrastructure, and entrepreneurial networks can empower both the Ukrainian diaspora in the UK and Ukraine’s recovery.   

Closure & Workshop Outcomes: The day concluded with a collective reflection on next steps, followed by informal networking at Crate Brewery, Hackney Wick — a fitting finale that carried the energy of collaboration into new personal and professional connections.   

Expected Outcomes 

The workshop was not just about discussion — it was about creating momentum for real-world impact. Key outcomes included:    

• Shared vision for UK–Ukraine entrepreneurial cooperation.   
• Policy recommendations on how governments can empower entrepreneurs through non-financial support mechanisms (mentorship, networking, regulatory facilitation).   
• Entrepreneur-led ideas for reconstruction, particularly around innovative city partnerships, inclusive educational programmes, and acceleration hubs for start-ups.   

These outputs will help shape future collaboration across institutions and communities, reinforcing the bridge-building role of entrepreneurship in both reconstruction and bilateral engagement.   

Special Thanks 

We are grateful for the endorsement, partnership, and support from the Fund of the President of Ukraine , the Bohdan Hawrylyshyn Family Foundation , Ukraine Eurointegration Platform UAEP , and Global Entrepreneurship Network UK , whose engagement and trust in this initiative helped strengthen its reach and impact. 
We would also like to express our gratitude for the supportive assistance provided during the event:   

• Andrew Galaiko, Founder of Cortiva, for supporting the project as the event photographer, capturing the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defined the day.   
• Olena Skachko, Project Manager, Ukraine Eurointegration Platform (UAEP), for her invaluable organisational support.   
• Nataliia Horbenko, Director of Ukrainian Art House in London, for her organisational support and commitment to building cultural bridges between the UK and Ukraine. 

This gathering not only fostered connections but also highlighted the resilience and creativity of entrepreneurs working under the pressures of war. Together, participants built bridges of cooperation and exchanged ideas on how responsible social entrepreneurship can shape Ukraine’s recovery and reinforce its ties with the UK and the wider world.

Looking Ahead

By uniting voices across academia, policy, industry, and diaspora communities, this workshop has set the stage for a stronger, more innovative partnership between the UK and Ukraine. The launch of initiatives such as the Educational Programme for entrepreneurs, the Autonomy Lab workshop series, and the Accelerator Hub platform demonstrates that these conversations are already translating into long-term, sustainable action. 

At its core, this gathering underscored a simple truth: entrepreneurship is not only about business growth — it is about resilience, recovery, and building bridges between nations.