Revamped 'Own Business' Grant Program Unveiled
Ukraine's 'Own Business' grant initiative will adopt updated rules from September 1, 2026, offering higher funding amounts and simplified requirements for entrepreneurs. As announced in a press release from the Ministry of Economy, the revised program introduces two support tiers: up to 500,000 hryvnias for launching a venture and up to 2.5 million hryvnias for scaling an existing one. This update is part of broader efforts to bolster entrepreneurship amid ongoing economic challenges.
Key Changes in Program Conditions
The updated program eliminates the mandatory job creation condition for receiving a startup grant. For scaling up, applicants now need to create just one new position. Additional incentives include:
- Young people aged 18-25 can receive an extra 5% on top of the base grant amount;
- A 20% bonus applies to veteran-owned businesses, VAT payers, holders of patents or utility models, internally displaced persons (IDPs) with over six months of entrepreneurial experience, relocated enterprises, and those creating two new jobs;
- Entrepreneurs operating in frontline regions or restoring destroyed or damaged production facilities will get a 30% bonus;
- Projects in priority economic sectors may qualify for an additional 50%.
Grant funds can be used for purchasing equipment, renting or renovating premises, digitalization, and marketing. The current version of the program remains active until August 1, 2026, with applications submitted through the 'Diia' portal. Since its launch, over 32,000 Ukrainians have started businesses under this initiative, resulting in the creation of 46,000 new jobs. In October 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers announced the expansion of the 'Own Business' program, signaling a continued commitment to fostering entrepreneurship in Ukraine.
The overhaul of the 'Own Business' program reflects the state's drive to support entrepreneurship, particularly amid economic hardships.
By easing access to financing, these updated conditions empower Ukrainian entrepreneurs not only to launch new ventures but also to grow existing ones, potentially boosting the labor market and economic stability. Targeting support for youth, veterans, and businesses in frontline areas represents crucial steps toward strengthening the country's social and economic fabric.