In the midst of war, Ukrainian women are not only holding the fabric of society together – they are building the future of its economy. The webinar “Female Entrepreneurship in Times of War,” hosted on December 3, 2025, by the Secretariat of the Platform for the Reconstruction of Ukraine and Germany Trade and Invest GmbH, highlighted the critical role women entrepreneurs are playing in Ukraine’s wartime transformation. Here are my takeaways.
A Rapid Shift in the Labor Market
Sixty percent of all new businesses in Ukraine in 2024 were founded by women. Equally striking, 68% of women are actively considering launching their own ventures. From construction to renewable energy, Ukrainian women are not just entering male-dominated sectors – they’re leading. In construction, female representation nearly doubled between 2017 and 2023, and more women are now CFOs and CEOs in the energy sector. This surge reflects a broader market shift: capability is beginning to outweigh traditional gender norms.
The Financing Gap: A Bottleneck to Growth
But potential alone is not enough. Many women-led startups face serious financing challenges. Wartime innovation moves fast – especially in defense and dual-use tech – but traditional funding mechanisms are too slow. When technology evolves in four months but grant approvals take six, the mismatch undermines progress. Donors must adapt by accelerating funding timelines and enabling support for defense-related ventures.
Facing the “Complete Overload”
Beyond business, women shoulder a disproportionate burden of care – for children, elderly relatives, and often for the families of men on the frontlines. This “complete overload” is more than a phrase; it’s a structural barrier. It limits mobility, professional focus, and business development. The solution lies in structural investment: childcare, kindergartens, and resilient community infrastructure that includes safety shelters.
Psychological Resilience and Skills for the Future
Confidence, or the lack of it, is another invisible hurdle. Many women downplay their expertise or hesitate to pitch for funding. Programs like “Women in Drones,” which teach skills like drone assembly, do more than build technical capacity – they empower. Mentorship and psychological support are equally essential. International companies are stepping in with external mental health services for employees, recognizing the toll of stress and loss.
A Call to Action for Donors and Business Leaders
The international donor and business community has a vital role to play. Here’s how:
- Speed up funding: Align grant timelines with the pace of technological change.
- Invest in care infrastructure: Enable women to work without compromising family care.
- Support skills and confidence building: Expand mentoring, education, and sector-specific programs.
- Adopt inclusive workplace policies: Implement the UN Women Empowerment Principles.
- Foster public-private collaboration: Ensure that reconstruction includes safety, equity, and access for all.
Ukraine’s reconstruction isn’t just about buildings and roads – it’s about people. Female entrepreneurs are already proving their resilience and ingenuity. What they need now is our partnership to turn wartime innovation into long-term prosperity.
GTAI/Plattform Wiederaufbau Ukraine Video