The Mastercard SME Index 2025 study indicates that 67% of Ukrainian small and medium enterprises intend to scale their businesses in the near future. Entrepreneurs cite opening new retail locations and increasing production volumes as the main areas for growth—44% of respondents choose this strategy. Additionally, 40% plan to strengthen their presence in digital sales channels, while 35% aim to expand their range of products and services.
This is reported by Finway
Increased Participation in Grant Programs
Ukrainian entrepreneurs are actively utilizing opportunities for grant financing: 41% of respondents have already participated in relevant programs, which is 14 percentage points higher than the previous year. This trend indicates a growing interest in the sector for attracting additional resources for development and scaling.
Exports and Digital Technologies—Key Drivers of Development
Exports are becoming an increasingly important factor for Ukrainian small and medium businesses. Already, 38% of survey participants sell their goods and services abroad, which is 22 percentage points higher than the previous year. Furthermore, 24% of entrepreneurs plan to enter foreign markets in the near future. The most popular countries for exports remain Austria, Bulgaria, Poland, and the USA.
Moreover, Ukrainian SMEs are actively implementing digital tools and artificial intelligence technologies. This allows them to enhance customer engagement and provide a more personalized approach to interactions.
Indeed, two-thirds of small and medium entrepreneurs (67%) plan to scale their business, according to the results of the annual Mastercard SME Index 2025 study.