Participants of the Veteran Business Expo

One of the key ideas behind our Veterans Future Forum: Work. Business. Communities — the first platform of the veteran economy was to combine two formats: panel discussions and speeches with a dedicated Veteran Business Expo space, where it was possible to see and truly feel what veteran entrepreneurship in Ukraine looks like today — through people and their work.

This is where veterans and their family members presented their businesses.

This is where conversations happened — lively, real, and direct. New connections were made, contacts exchanged, and first agreements reached.

• For some, it was their first public presentation of their business.
• For others — an opportunity to expand their network.
• For many — new clients and partnerships.

For our Foundation, this became a confirmation of one of the Forum’s key messages: veterans are already building the economy.

With their own hands, decisions, and lived experience.

The Expo featured a wide range of businesses — from coffee shops and local production to services and creative initiatives.

And behind each of them — a real story and daily work.

Among the participants:

— CAFEIN Coffee Shop (Kitsman) — a place of comfort, rest, and reset. Created after military service, it reflects a renewed sense of life, appreciation of simple things, and the desire to build a space “for one’s own.” Founded by veteran Vitalii Budenchuk, who chose entrepreneurship after returning from the front as a new point of support — for himself and for others.
https://www.instagram.com/cafein.kitsman