An event in San Francisco, though modest and calm in tone, marked the beginning of significant changes in Ukraine’s tech environment. Endeavor has opened its office in Ukraine, sending a clear signal of trust and setting a model for international investment markets. The event, which featured a panel discussion, brought together entrepreneurs, international partners of Ukraine, diplomats, and the most prominent Ukrainians of Silicon Valley.
Founded in 1997, Endeavor has become a driving force for numerous business ecosystems, creating dozens of unicorns (startups valued at over $1 billion) over the decades. Today, Endeavor has 45 offices worldwide, and its mission is to inspire founders to dream big, support their scaling efforts, and create a multiplier effect that transforms economies. Allen Taylor, Managing Partner of Endeavor Catalyst, said:
"Endeavor believes there are entrepreneurs everywhere, and we believe that time to support them is when they need it. Why now? We think there’s a huge opportunity to lean into supporting Ukrainian founders in Ukraine and Ukrainian founders in the diaspora, out in the world, in building really big scalable companies".
Endeavor Ukraine is ready to provide resources, access to global networks, and critical mentorship support, further integrating Ukraine into the global startup ecosystem. The investor's step into Ukraine is extremely important given the immense challenges brought on by the war and the negative impact on all industries without exception.
Nataliya Anon, CEO of California-based IT company Svitla and now a member of the board of directors of Endeavor Ukraine, sees supporting Ukraine in various ways as her mission:
Each and every Ukrainian, whatever professional field they are, are doing whatever possible to help Ukraine. And this is one of the ways how I at my position as an entrepreneur, can help Ukraine. Because it gives Ukraine visibility, brings Ukraine into the global community. And for me it's very exciting. In 2001, I started my first company as a student at Stanford Business School. And I remember what the tech ecosystem in Ukraine at that time was. It was predawn. And at that time, I was thinking, there will be multiple companies that will see venture capital here. Things will be happening. And they are happening right now! I believe Ukrainian tech market is at an inflection point. Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes, different ages, and there are some uniting qualities about them. Ukraine is forging right now. This is double, triple, ten times the adversity that normal entrepreneurs face. The amount of resilience and perseverance that Ukrainian entrepreneurs have – it’s a vibrant scene of Ukraine. And I'm excited to be part of this journey because this is an inflection point for Ukraine. Endeavor will give Ukraine entrepreneurs exposure. And it's so critical for them. Despite everything that's going on, you have to be optimistic. Endeavor, opening its office in Ukraine and opening its doors, gives more optimism. And we have to believe that the future of Ukrainian entrepreneurs will be bright".
Endeavor’s entry into Ukraine comes at a time when the country's tech industry is ready for significant growth. Despite the ongoing war, Ukrainian entrepreneurs demonstrate incredible resilience and innovation, turning challenges into opportunities for global impact. Sviat Sviatnenko, Managing Director of Endeavor Ukraine, noted:
"In Ukraine, Endeavor will focus on supporting entrepreneurs as they navigate significant challenges. Whether it’s preparing for an IPO, expanding into new countries, or building and retaining top talent, we aim to provide the right connections and expertise. Ukrainian entrepreneurs will gain unparalleled access to a global network of mentors, investors, and peers. We want to ensure that it’s no longer about six handshakes but just one".
At the event, Dmytro Kushneruk, Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco, emphasized the importance of investment and growth in Ukraine’s tech sector:
"When war in Ukraine started we all worked on different issues. One of them was trying to get all American companies out of russia so that money will not be going to russian economy and not to fuel the war. And then we all concentrated on bringing American companies to Ukraine – the country which is extremely rich and talented people. The problem which Ukraine always had is underinvestment into our tech sector. Now many Ukrainians had to leave the country because of war. And our Ukrainian community in Silicon Valley has grown a lot. But many of them want to come back. So one of the problems our government is trying to solve is how to create conditions for Ukrainians who want to come back. One of them is creating a positive environment in tech and we want to thank the Endeavor team starting business in Ukraine. This high-impact step is a very positive signal for Silicon Valley and all American businesses who want to work with Ukraine".
Endeavor’s approach is built on creating a "Multiplier Effect" by connecting entrepreneurs to a global network of peers, mentors, and investors who help them scale their businesses faster. Marta Ghiglioni, Director of Entrepreneur Experience at Endeavor Global, explained this mission:
"Everything feels like home here, and it's the beauty of our work—creating unique experiences for entrepreneurs to connect with both their home countries and a bigger mission. Our approach focuses on building strong relationships and transformational support for founders, including capital raising, building boards, and guiding tough decisions. The entrepreneurial journey can be isolating, with high pressure and many challenges, but we strive to provide genuine, consistent support".
Along with Sviat Sviatnenko as the Managing Director in Ukraine, the local board of directors includes:
- Nataliya Anon — CEO of Svitla Systems
- Vitaliy Laptenok — General Partner at Flyer One Ventures and co-founder of Genesis
- Oleksandr Kosovan — founder of MacPaw and co-founder of SMRK VC Fund
- Olena Vovk — Chair of the Supervisory Board at Enzym Group
- Volodymyr Kostyuk — CEO of Farmak
- Dima Shvets — co-founder of Reface and scout for a16z
- Anton Vashchuk — Director of Innovation, Education, and Entrepreneurship at UMAEF
- Oleksandr MacWorter — Head of Citi in Ukraine
- Anton Borzov — Partner at StratMinds
Endeavor’s commitment to Ukraine symbolizes hope, ambition, and opportunity in a rapidly changing global market. With the necessary tools and connections, Ukrainian entrepreneurs will inspire future generations, proving that innovation and resilience can lead to meaningful change even in the toughest times.
Our gratitude to Daniel Vegera for providing the photographs. Learn more about his work at danielvegera.com
Author: Lukian Selskyi