Solutions from Ukraine: 50 entrepreneurs to receive free training to break into new foreign markets

Ukrainian businesses will have the free chance to gain practical knowledge for entering international markets. In February, the School of Exporters will launch, providing entrepreneurs with access to the expertise of top Ukrainian companies that successfully collaborate with giants like SpaceX, BMW, Samsung, and Volkswagen.

Rubryka reports this.

What is the problem?

Ukrainian entrepreneurs frequently encounter challenges when entering international markets. Despite having high-quality products, a lack of knowledge, resources to establish export processes, or early-stage mistakes often keep them from gaining recognition abroad. This presents a significant barrier to business growth and the sustainability of the Ukrainian economy.

What is the solution?

Thanks to the educational initiative "School of Brand Ambassadors. Export Entry," 50 entrepreneurs will receive free training, access to the experience of Ukraine's most successful exporters, and the opportunity to present their own strategies for entering foreign markets.

The School's program includes:

• Lectures from leading experts in international trade, PR, logistics, market research, and marketing.
• Visits to enterprises already operating in global markets, including manufacturers for SpaceX, BMW, Emirates and other companies.
• Individual support for the five best graduates, covering all stages of export launch.

How does it work?

The program consists of two parts:

1. Online lectures and homework. Participants will listen to speakers with many years of experience in the export industry, including:

• Yuliia Pavlenko, Director of the International Operations Department of Ukrposhta.
• Iryna Zelenina, President of the Ukrainian Export Alliance.
• Maryna Farafonova, International Marketing Consultant.
• Alyona Voznenko, Expert in Export to the USA, Great Britain, Germany.

During this stage, participants will learn to analyze potential markets, build an export strategy, develop international PR communication, and master marketplaces.

2. Offline visits to production facilities. During the month, entrepreneurs will see the work of companies such as:

• Centravis — produces seamless stainless steel pipes for the automotive, energy, oil and gas, and aviation industries in 70 countries worldwide. Among its clients are Samsung, BMW, Volkswagen, SpaceX;
• Interpipe — a metallurgical plant that exports pipes for Emirati oil companies and wheels for trains in the European Union and India;
• VELTA — a company that occupies 2% of the global ilmenite supply market and plans to build its own titanium plant in the USA worth $60 million;
• Poster POS — a software developer that supplies software and business processes to 18,000+ food establishments around the world;
• SheMax – the largest Ukrainian manufacturer of dust collectors for beauty salons, which has entered the markets of 10 US states and exports its products to 36 countries around the world over the past year;
• Biosphere – the largest manufacturer of household and hygiene products in Eastern Europe and Central Asia;
• Gardens of the Dnipro – the largest apple producer in Ukraine, their main supplier to the countries of the European Union, Asia and the Middle East;
• Axor Industry – the only window hardware factory in Eastern Europe.

Relocated industrial and technological giants in western Ukraine, which are currently transforming Transcarpathia into a "new Texas," will also share their experience.

This practical stage will help participants see export processes from the inside and get recommendations from top managers of successful companies.

At the end of the program, each student will defend their own export strategy. The top five will receive full support for entering the market – from logistics to finding customers.

How to join?

To become a participant, individuals need to fill out the questionnaire and complete the test task by January 27, 2025.

The PRoector team is implementing this initiative with support from the USAID project "Strengthening Public Trust" (UCBI).

For reference:
It's worth noting that the first Lutsk Veteran Business Fair, titled "I Could and You Can," took place at the Korsak Museum of Contemporary Ukrainian Art. The Lutsk City Council supported the event.