The results of a large-scale study of the economic impact of Ukrainian-American businesses were presented in the US. This is the “Ukrainian-American Business Impact Study”, prepared as part of the “UA2USA” initiative. The presentation took place on February 4 during the U.S.-Ukraine Business Forum 2026 in Washington.
This was reported by the analytical ISE Group.
“The study confirmed the activities of 2,270 companies in all 50 US states as part of a wider network of more than 45 thousand Ukrainian diaspora enterprises, which generate almost $ 60 billion in revenue every year - an indicator comparable to the GDP of the state of North Dakota - and provide jobs for about 300 thousand people in the United States,” the report says.
According to the results of the study, conducted by the ISE Group in cooperation with the Ukrainian-American Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UACCI), businesses founded by Ukrainians or people of Ukrainian origin generate from $ 55 to $ 58 billion in revenue in the US economy every year. They support about 300 thousand jobs, pay approximately $24 billion in wages and provide $8-9 billion in tax revenue annually.
The study also notes that the entrepreneurial activity of the Ukrainian diaspora is most concentrated in states such as Illinois, California, New York, Florida, Texas and New Jersey. It is in these regions that the largest number of companies related to Ukrainian business is recorded.
“California alone has approximately 13 thousand firms founded by Ukrainians, which is about 29% of the total in the country, reflecting its large Ukrainian population and recent waves of immigrants who gravitate to its technology centers (San Francisco Bay Area), the Los Angeles metropolitan area and the significant Ukrainian enclave around Sacramento. New York State is home to more than 8,500 such enterprises (about 18-19%), the study notes.
The authors paid special attention to the industry structure. According to the study, Ukrainian companies in the United States are represented in a wide range of economic sectors - from traditional to high-tech. At the same time, a significant share is accounted for by IT and professional services, which play an increasingly important role in the overall structure of Ukrainian-American entrepreneurship. For example, the IT sector provides about 130 thousand jobs.
Analysts emphasize that the data obtained demonstrate not only the significant economic contribution of Ukrainians in the United States, but also the potential of the Ukrainian diaspora as an important factor in the development of business ties between Ukraine and the United States.
Background
UA2USA is a national platform that connects data, communities and partners across the entire Ukrainian-American business ecosystem. At its core is the UA2USA Evidence-to-Action Program, a three-tiered initiative that includes: (1) Evidence, (2) Engagement, (3) Advocacy. It captures the true scale of Ukrainian-founded businesses in all 50 U.S. states and translates these insights into funding, policy influence, and strategic partnerships.
The program opens up access to capital, government procurement, export opportunities, and investor networks, helping Ukrainian-origin companies scale in the U.S. and contribute to Ukraine’s recovery. We move from evidence to results in three steps: (1) measure the footprint; (2) engage local communities; and (3) translate it into policy, partnerships, and funding. We quantify jobs created, taxes paid, annual payroll, investments mobilized, and innovation connections, then turn that data into action: informing decision-makers, supporting community partners, and connecting founders with investors, economic development offices, and procurement programs.
UA2USA was launched by the think tank ISE Group and the Ukrainian-American Chamber of Commerce in consultation with the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, the U.S. Department of State, SelectUSA, and community partners across the country.
Author: Inna Mikhno