Selection for the Stanford Ignite Ukraine Program is complete. The CfE accelerator is ready to announce 42 Ukrainian small and medium-sized business owners who will begin their studies at one of the world’s top business schools in February. The program will last 7 weeks, 3 of which the participants will spend at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Immersing themselves in the Silicon Valley community, the participants will have the opportunity to rethink and develop their businesses. Entrepreneurs will gain essential knowledge and hands-on management tools to drive transformative changes, enhancing their ability to navigate the challenges Ukrainian businesses face. Upon completion of their studies, they will be able to apply the acquired experience and bring ambitious ideas to life within their existing enterprises in Ukraine, which is the objective of Stanford Ignite Ukraine.
“In less than a month, about 1,000 candidates applied for the program, which once again confirms the positive dynamics of Ukrainian business recovery despite the full-scale invasion. This demonstrates their resilience, adaptability, and determination to thrive under any circumstance. We’re delighted that, alongside our partners, we can help Ukrainian entrepreneurs become part of the Stanford GSB community and provide an opportunity designed to be an impetus for changes in their thinking, teams, business, and country,” shared Ivan Petrenko, CEO of CfE accelerator.
Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipro, Donetsk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia — the program received applications from various regions of Ukraine. Regarding the type of business, service companies prevailed over manufacturing ones. More than a third of the candidates had entrepreneurial experience of both 6-10 years (36%) and over 10 years (38%). Such statistics indicate that Ukrainian business leaders understand the value of lifelong learning and the importance of continuous investment in their knowledge.
However, the primary selection criterion was the entrepreneurs’ motivation and intention to enhance their businesses, for example, to scale, launch new products/services, implement innovations, attract investments, or enter new markets. The decision proved to be quite challenging.
Here is the list of selected participants for the Stanford Ignite Ukraine Program:
- Svitlana Paveletska – Knigolove, publishing house and bookstore
- Sergii Shevchenko – ARAMIS, manufacturer of laser cutting machines for metal
- Vladyslav Konovets – Nanit Robot, company developing robotics, electronics, and programming, Edtech solutions for children and adults
- Andrii Yaremchuk – Leonis Marble, manufacturer of natural stone products
- Bohdana Sydorenko – Nika-Text Plus, manufacturer of uniforms and military clothing
- Mykhailo Obod – NETRONIC, manufacturer of laser tag equipment
- Kyrylo Filatov – ECONAD, company that develops and implements nature conservation technologies
- Kristina Haika – Gavra, healthy snacks manufacturer
- Artem Vyunnyk – Athlon Avia, manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Andriy Bandrivskyy – Gorgany, distributor and manufacturer of equipment for hiking and sports
- Yurii Tustanovskyi – rekava, manufacturer of coffee-based biodegradable products
- Julia Solovey – Gres Todorchuk, сommunications agency with a focus on cultural, social, and educational initiatives
- Grygorii Zeleniuk – Darlisad, frozen fruits producer
- Olesia Khoma – Yedynka DGTL, marketing & web development company
- Ruslana Rymarska – Budmo Zdorovi (Smakuli TM), healthy sweets manufacturer
- Oleksandra Antsiunas – Spell Chocolate, Belgian chocolate producer
- Roman Konovalov – Hermes, company specializing in sunflower seeds processing
- Rostyslav Kulyk – Gastroli.ua, platform for events booking
- Ievgen Podliesnykh – Underwood Brewery, beer and non-alcohol drinks manufacturer
- Anna Knyzhenko – dukachi, jewelry manufacturer
- Yuriy Tabachyn – EdPro, manufacturer of educational equipment and e-textbooks
- Olha Zharova – The EngL, online English language school
- Serhii Stetsenko – Panfruit Ukraine, manufacturer of sublimated products
- Volodymyr Filimonov – Diptar, manufacturer of miscanthus and wood pellets
- Oleksandr Karas – Shafran Spice, producer of functional and flavoring mixtures for the meat industry
- Nataliia Pavliuchok – LA BOTANICA, manufacturer of frozen starters and desserts
- Fursov Mykyta – Cartonic.store, Tatton.me, 1DEA.me, producer of 3D puzzles, temporary tattoos, and design gifts
- Stanislav Gontovyi – hotline.finance, comparison service and online registration of insurance products
- Yuliia Logvin – JUL, manufacturer of branding clothes
- Andrii Rodkin – Glamping UA, manufacturer of glamping tents
- Olena Shyrokova – Hlib Ye!, bakery
- Olena Zanichkovska – The Gradient, digital product design agency
- Hanna Mazur – Happy Monday, platform for exploring the job market
- Iuliia Lisovska – Tivoli, manufacturer of wooden furniture
- Anton Avrynskyi – Liki24.com, search and delivery service for health products
- Viktoria Voroniuk – Kapelou, robotic equipment manufacturer and supplier of integrated warehouse solutions
- Viktoriia Maslova – VESNA, manufacturer of herbal cosmetics
- Mykhailo Ganchuk – Promavtomatika Vinnytsia, developer and producer of electrical equipment
- Viacheslav Zhyla – Supertask Theatrical School, school of theater
- Roman Khomechko – Khomsteel Group, sandwich panel supply and installation company
- Andrii Vasyliev – Briolight, manufacturer of electronic equipment for interactive, sensory rooms and inclusion classes
- Andriy Chuba – Pikart, lamps manufacturer
The СfE accelerator team welcomes 42 participants and looks forward to the first results of their businesses’ transformation on the way to Ukraine’s economic recovery and rebuilding. Furthermore, the program organizers are ready to announce that Stanford Ignite Ukraine will be held for the second time, and the next participant enrollment will begin in the autumn of 2024 – an excellent opportunity for those who didn’t manage to join the program this time.
The Stanford Ignite Ukraine program was launched by the CfE аccelerator in collaboration with the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, with support from the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine (USAID CEP), and the Ukrainian Catholic University.
The USAID Competitive Economy Program in Ukraine supports Ukrainian businesses in increasing competitiveness in Ukraine’s domestic and international markets, assists in building a simplified and transparent business climate, and provides Ukrainian companies with opportunities to take advantage of international trade.