Access2Finance 2025 results: international expertise and Ukrainian solutions shape new financial stability for SMEs

‘It is important for us not only to discuss challenges, but also to implement practical solutions that help SMEs obtain financing and simplify key processes that stimulate economic recovery and the growth of Ukrainian business,’ said Rostislav Dyuk, Chairman of the Board of the UAFIC.

International dimension: global expertise and partnership

The conference was traditionally attended by international representatives who presented their financial and institutional assistance programmes. Key guests at the event included Søren Møller, Head of the Kyiv Impact Fund of Denmark, Wolfgang Bücker, Head of Financial Sector Development at GIZ, and Kateryna Andriushchenko, Governance Advisor Recovery Energy Growth team, British Embassy Kyiv.

They shared examples of international instruments to support Ukrainian SMEs, emphasising the importance of long-term partnerships and access to global financial markets.

Olena Voloshina, Head of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Ukraine, reported: “The IFC focuses on sectors that are needed by the Ukrainian economy and that can maximise the impact of our work. These are traditional industries, such as agriculture, renewable energy, transport and logistics, and construction materials production – areas that will be key to economic recovery. We are also not forgetting the IT sector and banking industry. Together with the World Bank, we have begun work on a complex segment – housing construction, which functions differently in Ukraine than in the rest of the world."

Thanks to cooperation with international organisations, Ukrainian entrepreneurs gain access to new resources, technologies and expertise, which contributes to stable growth and economic recovery. The international experts present once again highly praised the event, noting its practical benefits for the development of Ukrainian business and the strengthening of the financial stability of SMEs.

Veteran business – a new voice in entrepreneurship

A special place at the conference was given to a section dedicated to veteran entrepreneurship. Participants discussed the role of a new wave of entrepreneurs who, after serving in the military, seek to start their own businesses and integrate into the country's economic life.

Serhiy Poznyak, Chairman of the Board of the Association of ATO Veteran Entrepreneurs, and Anatoliy Ostapenko, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Protection of Veterans' Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, joined the discussion.

The experts discussed the challenges and barriers facing veteran businesses and presented tools that enable veterans to start their own businesses on an equal footing with other entrepreneurs.

Serhiy Poznyak backed up his arguments with his own experience: "A large percentage of business owners, particularly those in the private sector and banking, went to war. As my friend, who is now defending us, said: ‘When you return, regardless of the state of your business and the state of your legs, arms or head, we will make sure that you return to the place from which you were taken.

During the Access2Finance 2025 conference, a financing agreement for veteran businesses was signed with the support of the first veteran bonds. The memorandum became a successful example of the practical application of this instrument. The signing of the agreement is convincing evidence that Access2Finance 2025 is not only a discussion platform but also a space for real action.

The banking sector – a driver of financial opportunities

One of the central themes of Access2Finance 2025 was support for small and medium-sized businesses through the services of leading banks. Participants discussed how financial institutions are adapting products to the needs of entrepreneurs, implementing digital services and making processes more convenient and transparent. Considerable attention was paid to increasing transparency, improving customer experience, automating routine processes, and reducing decision-making time.

Andriy Kashperuk (UKRSIBBANK), Yevhen Zaigraev (PrivatBank), Igor Tykhonov (CreditWest Bank), Yevgen Shulika (ASVIO Bank), Pavlo Prytyko (FUIB), Yuriy Voychak (Oschadbank), Andriy Hrygel (Radabank), and others.

Pavlo Prytyko, Head of the Medium Corporate Clients Department at FUIB, emphasised: "We constantly pay attention to UX: we listen to our clients and how they and their needs are changing, and adapt our approaches accordingly. For FUIB, this is a systematic effort aimed at improving and simplifying processes that save our clients time and resources."


The event was supported by EFSE, managed by Finance in Motion and funded by the European Union as part of the EU4Business initiative. PUMB was the partner bank, hutko was the payment partner, and AmCham Ukraine and AHK Ukraine were the community partners.

We would also like to thank our partners who provided informational support: Focus, FinTech Insider, KOSHT Media, delo.ua, NABU, Diia.City United, ua.news, MTIBU, BizMarket, NAZOVNI, SalesDoubler, Delova Stolitsa, and Franchise Group.

The Access2Finance 2025 conference confirmed the thesis that access to finance and the exchange of experience with international partners can not only support business, but also create entire ecosystems where Ukrainian SMEs have real opportunities for growth and strengthening their financial stability.