After completing their service, veterans often seek to find their place in civilian life, and starting their own business can be one of the key ways to do so. This path often brings a sense of control, independence, and belonging to something bigger.
Business is often not only a way to earn money, but also a tool for a dignified return to civilian life, an opportunity to support one's family, create jobs, and contribute to the country's recovery.
Next, we share the stories of Tetyana, the wife of a soldier, and Pavlo, a veteran, who were able to start their own businesses and help others with the help of grants. They shared practical advice for those who are planning to implement their ideas but are still hesitant.
We will also tell you which government grant programs are available and where and how you can take advantage of them.
Tetyana Koval: a military wife who is changing hospitals
(https://www.facebook.com/Foodicine.com.ua)
For Tetiana Koval, the war became a personal challenge and a starting point for a new path. Born in Kyiv, with family roots in Popasna, Luhansk region, she knows well how pain can become motivation. "I want business to be a tool for recovery and adaptation for veterans' families," she says.
This is how the idea of FoodieSpace was born — a network of cafes and restaurants in hospitals. It is an extension of the Fuditsyna brand, which provides meals to patients in hospital wards. But while Fuditsyna operates in the B2B segment (a format where one company provides goods or services to another company rather than to the end consumer), FoodieSpace is designed for all hospital visitors: doctors, patients, and their relatives.
(https://www.facebook.com/Foodicine.com.ua)
Tetyana was motivated by her desire to help patients and their loved ones in hospitals, as well as medical professionals who were forced to bring food from home or order delivery. FoodieSpace rents space in hospitals and turns it into stylish catering establishments, which are gradually forming a new food infrastructure in Ukrainian medical institutions.
But Tetyana's mission goes far beyond business: "We want to create a modern food system that will set an example for the world." FoodieSpace employs veterans and their family members, who often supply craft products to the company.
How did the grants help?
Tetyana received two grants from "Own Business" through "Diyu": the first for veterans and their families, and the second for developing her own business. "I learned about the program from friends who convinced me that I was ready to scale up my business and had a clear plan," she recalls.
The preparation was serious: seminars on financial planning, training on presentations, consultations with experts. "The key to success was a clear vision and social mission. The package of documents included financial calculations, justification of the problem, market analysis, and my personal experience in management," explains Tetiana.
She spent the money she received on equipment, renovating the premises, and marketing. This allowed her to quickly launch FoodieSpace and get closer to breaking even.
Motivation and advice
For Tetiana, business is not just about profit: "I want to be useful, feel involved in the changes in the country, and build the future."
She shares some advice for those who dream of following in her footsteps:
- Keep an eye on grant programs and prepare your documents in advance.
- Seek help from experts and those who have already gone down this path.
- Identify a clear social problem and propose a solution.
- Don't focus on money — look for deeper motivation.
- Dream big, don't be afraid to ask for support, and use your story as a resource.
Tetyana's example proves that a business based on personal experience and social mission can change a country from within — starting even with a hospital cafeteria.
Pavlo Skhetsusky: a veteran from Volyn who opened his own workshop
(photo from Pavlo Skrzhetskyi's personal archive)
Pavlo Skrzhetskyi is an ATO veteran who served in the Kulchytskyi Battalion. In 2018, he was discharged from service due to health reasons. "My life was planned out for years to come: contract, service... And then everything came to a halt. And the question arose: what to do next?" recalls the veteran.
Pavlo got the impetus to start his own business while still in service. On his birthday, his comrades gave him a handmade axe. "I immediately understood and described how the craftsman had made it. And then one of the guys said, 'Maybe you'll do this after the war? That axe still hangs in his workshop — as a symbol of the beginning of a new path.
Before his service, Pavlo had a historical reenactment club, which had a shooting section, and he also made bows. However, he decided to change his life's work to blacksmithing. Pavlo rented a small workshop and worked with wood and metal all day long. Gradually, unique products appeared — axes, swords, knives with tridents and quotes from Shevchenko. They became symbols of strength and talismans. "The most expensive axe sold for 140,000 hryvnia. One was given to Zaluzhny, another to Boris Johnson. And the mayor of Vilnius even made a barter deal: in exchange for my axe, he gave the guys an off-road vehicle for the Armed Forces of Ukraine."
Grant and forge
In 2023, Pavlo received a grant of over UAH 800,000 from the Ukrainian Veterans Fund of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs as part of the "It's Time to Start Your Own Business" program. "It didn't work out the first time. We rewrote the documents several times and improved the business plan. But if you believe in your business, you will definitely get results," he shares.
(photo from Pavlo Skrzhetskyi's personal archive)
The soldier received a grant, sold his house, and built a workshop-smithy from scratch. Now he works and lives here. "I wake up, make coffee, open the door — and I'm already at work. Everything is here: space, equipment, a pond, and a forest nearby. I plan to build a guest house for my brothers-in-arms: some will work at the forge, others will go fishing."
Advice from a veteran
Today, his workshop is more than just a job. "It's my rehabilitation. It's my purpose in life. It's the joy of helping others," says Pavlo.
His advice is simple:
- Don't give up after your first failure.
- Try different things, find your calling.
- Ask for advice. Pavlo himself often gives advice to other veterans who turn to him.
- The main thing is to believe in yourself.
"If you've been through war, you know that the road is conquered by those who walk it," he concludes.
How and where to get a grant?
Ukrainian veterans and their families can apply for nationwide grant programs that support business start-ups or development. These initiatives are aimed at the economic reintegration of defenders, job creation, and the restoration of the country.
All current grant programs can be found on the Diya portal in the "Veteran Pro" section, which contains information about national and international opportunities.
"Own Business" grant for veterans and their family members
Amount of funding:
Up to UAH 250,000 (subject to the creation of 1 job).
Up to UAH 500,000 (2 jobs).
Up to UAH 1,000,000 (sole proprietorship for 1 year, 4 jobs, 70/30 co-financing).
Who can apply: Combatants, persons with disabilities as a result of war, spouses of veterans. Businesses in temporarily occupied territories, those associated with the Russian Federation/Belarus, or those related to weapons, alcohol, or tobacco are not eligible.
Required documents: Business plan, electronic signature. Example of completion: https://diia.gov.ua/img/diia-october-prod/sites/1/Grants/%D0%91%D0%9F%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%82_%D0%B4%D0%BB%D1%8F_%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%96%D0%B2_%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B4_24_%D0%B4.xlsx
How to apply: Through "Diy" with authorization via BankID or KEP. You need to attach a business plan and sign the application.
Review: Up to 10 business days. Follow the link to see the submission dates and expected review deadlines depending on the date of submission.
Compensation for creating an inclusive workplace
Amount of funding:
Up to UAH 120,000 (disability group I).
Up to UAH 80,000 (disability group II).
Who can apply: Veterans with disabilities, sole proprietors, self-employed persons.
Required documents: Application, proof of employment.
How to apply: Through Diya or the Ministry of Economy within 180 days of employment.
Review: Up to 10 business days. Deadlines: No deadline.
The Ukrainian Veterans Fund (UVF) also announces competitions. Grant applications can be submitted by veterans, families of deceased defenders, sole proprietors, or self-employed individuals with businesses established after 2022. More details about current programs can be found on the UVF website.
According to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, in 2025, grant support covered 1,277 veteran businesses, with approximately UAH 562.8 million invested, which contributed to the creation of over 1,000 jobs.
For advice on business plans, please contact the program partners or Oschadbank.
Grants are not only financial support, but also an opportunity for veterans to realize their potential by creating businesses that contribute to economic development. Submit your applications and use these opportunities to develop your own business and support Ukraine.
The "Opportunities for Veterans" information campaign is being implemented as part of a partnership between the Ministry of Veterans Affairs and the Veterans Reintegration Program, which is being implemented by IREX with the support of the U.S. Department of State.