Opening a coffee shop, a workshop or a small production unit is now easier. The state has updated the “Own Business” programme: up to 500,000 hryvnia is available to start a business, and up to 2.5 million hryvnia for the development of an existing one. The list of eligible expenses has also been expanded. A registered individual entrepreneur (FOP) is not required to submit an application — it is enough to have a clear idea and a business plan.
How much money is offered
Those just starting out — for example opening a bakery, a beauty salon or an electronics repair shop — are eligible for a basic grant from 100,000 to 300,000 hryvnia. With bonuses the amount can reach up to 500,000 hryvnia. Hiring staff is no longer mandatory for this, so you can also work alone.
Existing business owners are offered larger sums. For scaling up the grant ranges from 500,000 to 1.5 million hryvnia, and with bonuses up to 2.5 million hryvnia. A baker could buy a new oven and increase output, while a shop owner could launch an online store with delivery. There is, however, one condition: at least one new job must be created.
Who will receive a bonus
The size of the supplement depends on the entrepreneur’s category:
- 5% is awarded to young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 25;
- 20% is provided for veteran businesses, payers of value-added tax (VAT), some internally displaced entrepreneurs (IDPs), companies that relocated from dangerous regions, and those who create two new jobs;
- 30% is given to businesses in designated frontline territories and to those restoring equipment damaged by shelling;
- 50% is intended for enterprises from priority sectors.
Bonuses can be combined. For example, a workshop near the front that hires two people could claim both 30% and 20% at the same time. However, the law does not raise the ceiling, so the maximum remains 500,000 hryvnia for start-ups and 2.5 million hryvnia for development.
What the money can be spent on
Equipment, tools, raw materials and goods remain on the list as before. They have now added rental of premises, land and machinery, repairs, commercial transport, a website or online store, CRM and accounting software. The grant can also be spent on advertising, branding, packaging design, photo and video shoots and even on registering a trademark or a patent.
However, restrictions remain. No more than 10% of the sum may be spent on advertising, 10% on websites and automation, and up to 25% on individual software. Every expense must be specified in advance in the business plan, because you cannot buy anything you like with these funds.
How to apply via “Diia”
The business plan will take the most time. It must set out what the business will be, how much it will cost, where every hryvnia will go and how profits will be generated. For a coffee shop, for example, this includes the coffee machine, furniture, rent, initial purchases and a revenue projection for at least the coming months.
Everything else is done online. You need to find the service “Starting and scaling your own business” on the Diia portal, fill in the application and attach the business plan as a PDF. After that you choose a bank, sign the documents with a qualified electronic signature (QES) and send them.
Why an application can be rejected
Submitting an application does not guarantee approval. They check business reputation, evaluate the business plan and conduct an interview. Therefore it is important to show who will buy the product and how the business will survive once the grant money runs out. The decision is made by the State Employment Centre within 20 calendar days after the application period ends.
Will the grant have to be repaid
If you follow the rules, nothing needs to be repaid, because it is not a loan. However, you cannot close the business a few months after receiving the money. You must operate for the entire project period, pay taxes and the Unified Social Contribution (USC), and the total amount of these payments during that time must be no less than the size of the grant. Promised employees must be hired within three months. If the contract terms are violated, the money may be reclaimed.
Until what date applications are accepted
The current stage runs until 27 October 2026 inclusive. Applications may be submitted by citizens aged 18 and over, existing FOPs and legal entities that meet the programme’s conditions. You can register an individual entrepreneur (FOP) or a limited liability company (TOV) and open a special account after the grant is approved. The received funds must be spent within three months. For questions about the business plan, the employment centre provides consultations at 15-18.
