“Entrepreneur of the Year 2025”
On December 17, Kyiv hosted the annual Forbes Ukraine “Entrepreneur of the Year 2025” awards ceremony — an event that, for the fifth consecutive year, brought together key players in Ukrainian business and marked a significant milestone for reviewing the year. The event was held with the support of the Oleksandr Usyk Charitable Foundation.
The Grand Prix of the award was presented to the co-founders of Uklon, a strong example of how a Ukrainian company can grow into a large-scale business and successfully conclude a deal with a major investor.
UNRISE CEO Iryna Palko attended the event and shared her impressions:
“This is an incredibly inspiring event — not only because of its elegant, festive atmosphere, but above all because it allows businesses to pause, reflect, take stock, and find the strength to move forward despite all the challenges. Events like this set the benchmark for Ukraine’s entire entrepreneurial ecosystem. The example of Uklon reminds us that business is not only a life’s work, but also a strategy. One of the highest goals of an entrepreneur is to build a company in such a way that, at the right moment, it can be sold successfully and gracefully, and that is an art in itself.”
The charitable component added particular value to the event. This year, a record USD 3.77 million was raised during the ceremony to build housing for people who lost their homes due to the war. The atmosphere of unity, responsibility, and mutual support was felt in every detail.
For UNRISE, events like this provide an exceptional space for meaningful dialogue with entrepreneurs, clients, and partners, as well as an opportunity to exchange ideas. This is also a crucial reminder: Ukrainian business does not stop, it continues to grow and look to the future through grants, investments, and strategic development opportunities.
We thank Forbes Ukraine for the invitation and for events that unite the business community, inspire action, and help shape the future of Ukraine.
Moving forward. Together.
