Business models that combine profitability with addressing social challenges are becoming the new standard in Ukraine. Participants of Impact Business Accelerator 2025 presented solutions with tangible social impact — from inclusive services to environmental innovations.
Today, impact-driven business in Ukraine is no longer merely a “good cause”; it is a strategic necessity. According to the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, in 2025 — amid constant attacks on energy infrastructure, complex logistics, and high security risks — Ukraine’s real GDP grew by only 2.2%. Full-scale recovery requires non-standard solutions and the development of social entrepreneurship, which can become a key growth driver.
It is precisely to support such entrepreneurs that the NGO Impact Force, together with USVF and SILab Ukraine, created the Impact Business Accelerator as a response to businesses seeking to integrate a social mission into their growth strategies. The Accelerator serves as a growth tool, helping companies build scalable, investment-ready business models that generate profit while delivering meaningful social impact and strengthening community resilience.
On 3 February 2026, the Demo Day of the third season of Impact Business Accelerator took place in Kyiv at the OSHCHADBIZNES innovation hub of Oschadbank. Twenty-five programme finalists — small and medium-sized enterprises — presented solutions to investors that combine profitability with a social mission and contribute to the country’s recovery and reconstruction.
A distinctive feature of Impact Business Accelerator 2025 was its focus on the Tech for Impact concept, enabling businesses to scale solutions for the public good through cutting-edge technologies. Last year, more than 300 companies from 14 regions applied to participate in the programme, confirming the growing interest in the impact economy in Ukraine.
Among the solutions presented were rehabilitation centres for veterans and women; a SaaS platform for queue management and booking; an inclusive child development centre; and an educational initiative that enables people to “try out” technical and manufacturing professions through virtual internships before starting formal education or employment. The showcased projects also included AI-based solutions, such as an application offering prompts and collaborative workspaces for people with speech impairments, their families, and professionals, as well as artificial intelligence functioning as a medical assistant — automating routine documentation, reducing doctors’ workload, and improving the efficiency of patient care.
These solutions are already being implemented in Ukraine, strengthening healthcare, education, and digital transformation.
“This year we have seen Ukrainian impact businesses reach a new level — these are already mature technology companies working with AI and innovations, capable of scaling even in wartime conditions. Through Impact Business Accelerator, we are systematically building an impact economy in Ukraine, creating an environment where such businesses can grow, attract investment, and become part of the country’s recovery,” emphasised Nina Levchuk, Co-founder of Impact Force.
Following the final pitching session, two companies with the highest scaling potential were selected as potential recipients of blended financial support of USD 15,000 each from the Ukrainian Social Venture Fund (USVF):
- VR Mentality, which offers medical VR content for PTSD psychotherapy. Its unique scenarios, developed in collaboration with scientists, help veterans and civilians affected by war overcome the consequences of traumatic experiences. The project also trains medical VR specialists through educational programmes, workshops, and supervision.
- OHRA HOME, a social enterprise producing bedding and home textiles from natural materials. With its own production facilities, online sales, and a sewing education programme, OHRA HOME addresses employment and economic independence for women from vulnerable groups — mothers of children with disabilities, internally displaced women, and women with disabilities — while combating social isolation and gender inequality and facilitating access to education, work, and family support.
“Today, business is a full-fledged actor that assumes responsibility for addressing humanitarian, environmental, and economic challenges. Financial support from USVF sends a clear signal to the market that Ukrainian social entrepreneurship is becoming mature and investment-attractive. We are witnessing the transformation of impact businesses — from local initiatives to resilient models capable of scaling in crisis conditions. The Accelerator’s winners have proven that combining social mission with profitability creates a solid foundation for economic recovery,” said Olena Kalibaba, CEO of USVF and Co-founder of SILab Ukraine.
All programme participants also received a special opportunity — access to business development financing from JSC Oschadbank. Oschadbank is a reliable programme partner that understands the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises, offers financial solutions for sustainable growth, and supports social enterprises at every stage of development.
“At Oschadbank, we systematically support Ukrainian businesses by offering financial programmes and products aligned with real entrepreneurial needs. We are ready to finance and foster the development of MSMEs, especially those that combine profitability with social mission and innovation. It is truly inspiring to see so many creative entrepreneurs scaling their businesses while becoming drivers of Ukraine’s recovery and economic growth,” noted Natalia Butkova-Vitvitska, Member of the Management Board of JSC Oschadbank responsible for micro, small, and medium business.
“Impact-oriented businesses differ from traditional SMEs in their decision-making logic. While classical models primarily optimise financial results, impact companies integrate two equally important objectives into their strategies — economic viability and systemic impact on people and communities. Programmes like Impact Business Accelerator create the conditions for Ukrainian companies to scale, compete in international markets, and become drivers of national recovery,” said Volodymyr Perun, Head of the Innovation Development and Access to Finance Department at the Entrepreneurship and Export Development Office.
Demo Day was preceded by an intensive programme that included lectures and workshops on social impact measurement, marketing, sustainable development, artificial intelligence, financial management, and planning. Participants worked with mentors and international experts to prepare their strategies for the next level of growth.
Over three years, Impact Business Accelerator has evolved into a support ecosystem for more than 100 companies that successfully balance profit with social value, attract investment, create jobs, and help shape a transparent, future-oriented Ukrainian economy. Successful alumni from previous years include “Ukraine Without Waste”, the inclusive café “Sunny Coffee”, the “Faina Polyana” cooperative, and others.
Impact Business Accelerator 2025 is implemented by a partnership alliance of Impact Force, USVF, and SILab Ukraine, with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, the Entrepreneurship and Export Development Office, and the national project Diia.Business.
Next year, the organisers plan to continue developing the impact ecosystem and scale the programme by expanding the international mentorship network and engaging more technology partners to support Ukrainian impact entrepreneurs.
Impact Business Accelerator is an advanced business programme designed for proactive Ukrainian entrepreneurs who seek to accelerate business growth, contribute to Ukraine’s post-war recovery, and create long-term social impact.
Impact Force is a Ukrainian women-founded and women-led NGO established in 2021, focused on driving social behaviour change and creating long-term social impact, economic opportunities, and initiatives to ensure inclusive and sustainable recovery in Ukraine. We envision Ukraine as a successful global leader, strengthened by its people and committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our mission is to create economic opportunities and transformative social change for a sustainable and just recovery of Ukraine.
Ukrainian Social Venture Fund (USVF) is Ukraine’s first venture philanthropy organisation investing in social enterprises whose business models are built around achieving systemic social and environmental change. Our strategy focuses on long-term support for sustainable business solutions capable of operating in crisis conditions and scaling social impact. USVF strengthens the social entrepreneurship ecosystem, builds a community of impact investors, and integrates Ukrainian social innovators into global institutional networks.
SILab Ukraine is a platform for developing the social entrepreneurship and social innovation ecosystem in Ukraine. Working at the intersection of civil society and business, we transform social challenges into sustainable business opportunities. The organisation is a co-founder of the Ukrainian Social Venture Fund and a member of the European Impact Europe network, enabling the transfer of global best practices into the Ukrainian context. Our activities aim to create a supportive environment for “impact players” — from advocating legislative change and promoting a culture of social investment to incubating new social businesses.