Most Ukrainian small and medium entrepreneurs are actively working on expanding their businesses in 2025. According to the results of the annual Mastercard SME Index 2025 survey, 67% of SMEs intend to scale their operations in the near future.
This is reported by Business • Media
Key Business Development Strategies
- Among the key ways to expand, Ukrainian entrepreneurs most often choose to open new retail locations and increase production capacities – this strategy is supported by 44% of respondents.
- Another 40% of survey participants focus on implementing digital sales channels, while 35% are expanding their range of products and services.
Grants and Exports – Drivers for SMEs
In 2025, Ukrainian entrepreneurs are increasingly utilizing grant programs to develop their businesses. Participation in grant initiatives has already been reported by 41% of respondents, which is 14 percentage points higher than in 2024.
“An important driver of growth for Ukrainian SMEs is export. Currently, 38% of surveyed entrepreneurs sell goods and services abroad, which is 22 percentage points more than last year, and another 24% plan to do so in the future.”
The main markets where Ukrainian SMEs export their products include Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, and the USA. This opens up new opportunities for scaling businesses and enhancing competitiveness on an international level.
Additionally, entrepreneurs are actively implementing digital channels and artificial intelligence-based solutions, which allows for increased customer engagement and the creation of a more personalized interaction experience with them.