Ukrainian Women Pitch Business Ideas at U(in)Power Final Event in Vilnius

Vilnius, June 19, 2025 — 22 Ukrainian women stood ready to pitch the businesses they’d spent months developing — not just as entrepreneurs, but as individuals rebuilding their lives in a new country.

The event marked the conclusion of the U(in)Power Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, a four-month initiative run by Ukreate Hub to support displaced Ukrainian women living in Lithuania. The program offered practical business training, mentorship, and community support. In total, 29 women joined the program, and 22 advanced to the final Pitch Day.

Opening Remarks

The event began with words from program supporters. Sandra Adomavičutė, director of the Open Lithuania Foundation, welcomed participants, followed by Kristina Bieliakova, entrepreneur and owner of the Multi Cook Visiems franchise.

Erin Gainer-Grigaliūnė, founder of The Ella Fund, the program’s main strategic partner, spoke about the importance of supporting women starting over in a new environment:

“When we started The Ella Fund, we had a clear vision: to invest in women in achieving their full potential regardless of where they come from or the circumstances they face. Starting a business is never easy. Starting a business after displacement, in a new country, in a new language — that requires extraordinary courage. Each idea shared today carries with it not just a business plan, but a story of resilience, of creativity, and of determination to rebuild and thrive. The Ella Fund is deeply proud to support the U(in)Power initiative and the Ukreate Hub.”

Mariia Petrash, co-owner of Hold On Beauty and founder of Petrash Beauty Studio, added her personal perspective:

“As an entrepreneur myself, I deeply understand how crucial support is at the very beginning. That’s the stage when confidence, resources, and the right environment are often missing. That’s why it’s important for me to stand beside those who are just starting their journey and share what I’ve learned along the way.”

Pitching the Ideas

Over the course of the program, participants developed and refined their business concepts through 14 sessions — 6 held in person in Vilnius, and 8 online. The ideas included service-based businesses, creative studios, podcasts, and social initiatives.

Each participant worked closely with mentors, many of whom were professionals from Western Union Lithuania, the program’s key partner. The mentoring process was led by Ana Dudienė, who also addressed the audience:

“As a company deeply invested in inclusivity and innovation, we recognize that empowering women entrepreneurs from displaced communities like Ukraine brings immense social and economic value. These women often have incredible resilience, creativity, and determination. When given the right tools, mentorship, and networks, they can create businesses that not only support their families but also generate jobs, contribute to local economies, and inspire others in similar circumstances.”

Awards and Recognition

After the presentations, the jury selected three business ideas to receive financial support based on five criteria: relevance to market needs, quality of market research, financial planning, structure of the business model, and overall presentation.

  • Winner: Nesterenko Nataliia with “Spick&Span”, a professional cleaning service – awarded €1000, sponsored by Sunrise Tech Park
  • Runner-up: Vorobiova Zita with “Aviliukas”, a multicultural child development center – awarded €550, supported by community donors
  • Runner-up: Monastyrska Oleksandra with “Solve Studio”, a production studio – awarded €550, also supported by community donors

The awards were funded through contributions from Sunrise Tech Park, 811 Dental Service, and a crowdfunding campaign on Buy Me a Coffee.

Laurynas Braškus, Startup Consultant at Sunrise Tech Park, shared why they chose to support the initiative:

“From the very beginning of the war, Sunrise Tech Park has stood firmly with Ukraine in its fight for freedom — a cause we deeply relate to. We see incredible strength in displaced women building new businesses and futures despite the hardships of war and exile. Supporting the U(in)Power programme is our way of standing with them and investing in a future shaped by courage, creativity, and collaboration.”

Jury Panel

The jury included:

About the Program

The U(in)Power program ran from March to June 2025 and was created for Ukrainian women in Lithuania looking to start their own businesses. It combined training, mentoring, and networking opportunities. The initiative was led by Ukreate Hub, a Vilnius-based support center for displaced Ukrainians, operating under the Open Lithuania Foundation.

Oleksandra Cherednichenko, project manager, said:

“U(in)Power is about providing tools, space, and guidance for women who are not only rebuilding their lives, but also contributing to the social and economic life of Lithuania.”

Program Partners

The program was supported by a number of partners, including:
Sunrise Tech Park, Hold On Beauty, iFuture INVESTMENTS, Women Go Tech, 811 Dental Service, Multi Cook Visiems, Nova Post, SvitloBook, and The Knotty Ones.

Through training, mentorship, and collaboration, U(in)Power helped 29 women take real steps toward starting businesses and integrating into the local economy.