Bridging Business Ideas & Funding: NUCC YE Alumni Kick-Off 2025

Last Friday, we had the honor of welcoming our NUCC Young Entrepreneurs (YE) Alumni to a gathering in Oslo, uniting graduates from multiple years and forming a network of young innovators. As of today, we have approximately 180 members in total.

The event opened with the introduction of our new leadership team, who will focus on designing impactful events and strategies throughout 2025 to bolster the collective growth of the Young Entrepreneurs Alumni. Our team also presented the NUCC YE 2025 strategic vision, offering insights into this year’s program roadmap and opportunities tailored to emerging entrepreneurs from Ukraine.

A pivotal highlight of the occasion was a motivational keynote by Olha Afanasyeva, Chair of NUCC YE Alumni and a 2017 program alumna. Olha shared the story behind ELEKS, detailing the company’s founding and growth, and revealed the secrets to effective investor relations. She also underscored the most promising investment sectors in Ukraine, providing valuable insights into the criteria investors use when evaluating early-stage ventures.

Equally engaging was the story of Anton Shulyk, a 2016 program graduate, who recounted his personal experiences of navigating crises at the outbreak of war. He described his company’s highs and lows, illustrating how they persistently delivered services even in challenging times.

Following the official program, a networking session allowed participants to form new friendships and partnerships.

We extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this gathering memorable. Stay tuned for future updates as we prepare more engaging events, impactful initiatives, and opportunities for continued growth.

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