The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine Lecture Series

The free lecture series empowers Ukrainian refugees through entrepreneurship education, serving as a scalable model for creating societal impact by aiding displaced communities.

Call to Action

The war in Ukraine has created a pressing humanitarian need that extends beyond immediate relief to include long-term strategies for redevelopment and economic stability. In response, University College London (UCL) School of Management partnered with fellow institutions as part of an academic sanctuary scheme to host visiting scholars from Ukrainian universities. One scholar, Nataliia Hrytsiuk, an associate professor at Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, with the support of professor Davide Ravasi, director of the UCL School of Management, identified that the displaced Ukrainian population required not just aid but also the knowledge and skills to be agents of economic change and development.

Driven by its academic and social responsibilities, the School of Management launched a seven-week, specialized lecture series on entrepreneurship for Ukrainian refugees based in London. The curriculum is tailored to empower participants with the necessary tools, skills, and knowledge to transform their business ideas into viable ventures so they can help rebuild their country once the war is over.

The lectures were delivered in person and in the Ukrainian language to remove barriers of communication and culture and to maximize networking opportunities. They were also held in the evenings, with free childcare available, to accommodate participants’ typical work-life situations as much as possible.

The initiative has not only gained attention in academic and refugee circles but also received the endorsement and active support of the ambassador of Ukraine to the United Kingdom, who spoke at the launch event.

Innovation Description

The lecture series covers all aspects of business creation, including best practices for building a venture, and gives participants insight into Ukrainian and U.K. entrepreneurial approaches. Seven Ukrainian academics and entrepreneur guest speakers enrich the program with educational and practical insights.

Between lectures, participants benefit from group and individual mentoring, facilitated by Ukrainian entrepreneurs and a team of 12 members of the UCL teaching staff. These mentors provide personalized guidance and actionable feedback on participants’ startup ideas. The participants also have access to UCL’s Innovation and Enterprise office space, workshops (e.g., Wellbeing for Founders), and a “matchmaking” system designed to encourage business partnerships between participants and UCL entrepreneurs.

To enhance their networking capabilities, the lecture events are run with the help of Level 39, a European technology accelerator, and with Gen U.K.’s Restart Ukraine program, which supports the business rebuilding efforts of established Ukrainian women entrepreneurs. In addition, participants gain automatic enrollment in activities hosted by the UCL Entrepreneurs Society and the UCL Ukrainian Society. Complimentary English-language lessons are provided by a nongovernmental organization, RefuAid, as well. The series includes specialized pitch training to prepare participants for the program’s conclusion, a Pitch Day, during which finalists pitch their businesses to investors and an engaged audience from the wider community as they compete for three monetary prizes.

Upon completion of the program, participants receive a certificate of attendance and gain access to Gen U.K.’s Restart Ukraine program, through which they can pursue additional training and opportunities for business partnerships and investments. Participants can also apply to UCL’s Hatchery, a startup incubator program that will support the launch of their businesses for up to 24 months.

The keynote speech of this first edition was delivered live from Kyiv by Kostiantyn Koshelenko, deputy minister of social policy in Ukraine. In his address, he emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship education, as exemplified by this lecture series, in rebuilding Ukraine and strengthening its economy after the war.

Innovation Impact

The lecture series includes multiple layers of impact, most significantly empowering Ukrainian refugees to innovate and transform their businesses, particularly in a war context. It also offers practical tools and actionable insights that can be directly applied to venture creation. Moreover, by facilitating networking and funding opportunities, the program provides a concrete pathway for actualizing business ideas.

To sustain its impact, the School of Management plans to offer the lecture series twice annually and is considering an online format to include Ukrainian refugees living outside of London. To enrich the content, the school will invite former participants to return as guest speakers and will organize networking events for current and former participants. Given the program’s potential for societal impact, the school is actively considering replicating the series for other displaced communities.

Through its comprehensive curriculum and extensive resources, the initiative serves as a pioneering model for using educational resources for societal impact. This aligns seamlessly with the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, which advocate for inclusive, quality education and sustained economic growth through entrepreneurship. Looking ahead, the school anticipates that the innovation will not only support the rebuilding of Ukraine but also inspire other educational institutions to take an active role in bettering society by empowering displaced communities through entrepreneurship education.

Reference Links

• The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs for Ukraine, UCL School of Management
• “Ukrainian Ambassador Launches New UCL School of Management Lecture Series,” UCL School of Management