BWS 2026 “Businesses of the Bold”: Key Challenges, Solutions, and Opportunities for Business in Turbulent Times
17 April 15:46
On April 15, the business media outlet Delo.ua and the business/media bureau Ekonomika+ brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and top managers to discuss economic transformation, business development amid uncertainty, and new growth opportunities. The program featured panel discussions, analytical presentations, and practical case studies—ranging from regulatory policy and exports to AI and energy efficiency. The focus was on practical solutions that businesses can implement today.
The event was opened by Oksana Gutzeit (ICTV) and Tetiana Smirnova (Ekonomika+). In her keynote speech, Oleksandra Matviychuk (Center for Civil Liberties) spoke about the power of dignity and responsibility and about how true hope manifests not in expectations, but in conscious action and the ability to participate in change.
The question of whether “white” business today is an obligation or, after all, a tool for growth was discussed by Yevhen Riako (RIYAKO&PARTNERS), Vasyl Danyliak (OKKO), Andriy Lukasevych (Philip Morris Ukraine), Danylo Getmantsev (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), and Andriy Bukin (Pivdenny Bank). The participants emphasized that the shadow economy is losing ground, while the transparent economy provides access to financing and offers prospects for development.
The special guest of the summit was the Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine, Kirill Budanov. In an on-stage interview, he noted that it is critically important for Ukraine to move away from a raw materials-based model and focus on the production of high-value-added goods. This primarily involves the development of the machine-building and defense-technology sectors, which will allow the country to secure a competitive position in the global arms market.
During the discussion on the transformation of Ukrainian exports, Taras Vysotsky (Ministry of Economy of Ukraine), Olena Borisova (Gastro Family), Anna Derevianko (European Business Association), Gennadiy Chizhikov (Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine), Oleg Zapletnyuk (TAS Agro), Dmytro Kysilevsky (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), Larysa Bondareva (Raiffeisen Bank), Yuriy Sorochynsky (Nemiroff) discussed barriers to entering new markets and effective models of international partnership, noting that “Made in Ukraine” has become a conscious choice of support.
Ilya Polshakov (Kyivstar) presented the results of the collaboration with Starlink Direct to Cell—a technology that allows standard 4G smartphones to automatically connect to a satellite signal even in areas without coverage, ensuring uninterrupted business communications.
Oleksandr Leshchenko (LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS), Yulia Ponomarenko (AB InBev Efes Ukraine), Olga Vasylevska-Smaglyuk (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), Taras Shidlyk (Starlight Media), Yuriy Polishchuk (“Foxtrot”) and Yuriy Bondar (ARX) discussed how companies are adapting to risks and losses, emphasizing that the key challenges for businesses during wartime are the loss of employees and customers, access to financing, and the effectiveness of insurance and compensation mechanisms.
Andriy Semchenko (“INGO”) explained how insurance helps businesses survive under shelling and why war risks are now a reality that can be managed.
Marta Levchenko (“City of Good,” “I Am the Future of Ukraine”) spoke about business’s responsibility toward the future and how the decisions companies make today will shape the country after the war.
During the panel on social responsibility, Tetiana Smirnova (Ekonomika), Lyudmyla Novak (“Interpipe”), Taras Kitsmey (SoftServe), Yulia Yarmolenko (“Kyiv BCC”), Galina Solovey (Ronald McDonald House Charities), Iryna Metnyova (Vandog Agency), and Serhiy Prytula (Serhiy Prytula Charitable Foundation) emphasized that social impact is no longer an “optional extra” and must function as part of a business model with clear metrics integrated into companies’ strategies.
Marina Pavliuk (Glovo in Ukraine), Svitlana Onishchenko (SharksCode), Yevheniia Bachynska (Sigma Software), Serhii Martynchuk (Cisco Ukraine), Oleksandr Krakovetskyi (DevRain), Nataliia Lyashchenko (“KYIV24”), Mykola Tkachenko (“Astarta-Kyiv”) explored the line between practical AI solutions and hype, the areas of measurable impact from AI implementation, and approaches to managing AI risks.
Pavlo Tsaruk (TAS Insurance Group) spoke about ways to achieve business results and the importance of systematic daily action as a strategy for real results.
During the discussion on energy efficiency, Olga Buslavets (Honored Energy Specialist of Ukraine, Ph.D. in Engineering), Serhiy Kovalenko (YASNO), Serhiy Yevtushenko (UDP Renewables), Yana Shumunova (Sense Bank), Olga Rybachuk (Elementum Energy), and Mykhailo Bubnov (Schneider Electric) outlined approaches to crisis adaptation and the search for new ways to optimize business, particularly through the integration of energy-efficient solutions.
Vitaliy Lubinets (WIN WIN CLUB), Timur Kozonov (Foundation Coffee Roasters), Marina Mkrticheva (Magnet Legal Law Firm), Oleksandr Bilyi (1 1 media), and Valentina Sakhno (Kyiv School of Economics).
The final segment was a Q&A session on management mistakes featuring Vladislav Antipov (CERN) and Artem Borodatyuk (FRACTAL), where they discussed intuitive management, the connection between managerial skills and the use of AI, burnout risks, and leadership development tools.
At the end of the event, an awards ceremony was held for the TOP-50 business leaders according to the magazine “TOP-100. Ratings of the Largest.”
The organizers—the business/media bureau Ekonomika+ and the business content leader Delo.ua —are grateful to their partners:
main partners: Sence Bank, LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS,
general media partner — Starlight media
As well as partners Kyivstar, KSE, Linkos Group, coffee partner Foundation Coffee Roasters, water partner “Morshynska,” alcohol partner Aznauri, and sweets partner BKK.
Media partners: advertising holding “Megapolis,” Infovision, VS Media, “We Are Ukraine,” “We Are Ukraine,” ICTV, “1 1 Media,” “KYIV24,” media holding “Apostrophe,” espreso.tv, UNN, HiTech Expert, Kyiv1, Logist.fm, “Kommersant Ukrainian,” “Business Capital,” Burda Media Ukraine, Glavkom, trueua, ProfBuild magazine, Marketer.ua, Founder, Economist, budynok.com.ua, 44.ua, “Economic News,” “Expert,” “First Business,” HR Liga, Mind.ua, mc.today, InVenture, “Occupational Safety and Fire Safety,” European Business Association, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers of Poland.
