BWS 2026 “Businesses of the Brave” took place in Kyiv: what was discussed?
On April 15, the business media outlet Delo.ua and the business/media bureau Ekonomika+ brought together entrepreneurs, investors, and top managers to discuss the transformation of the economy, business development under uncertainty, and new growth points. The “Business Wisdom Summit 2026” program combined panel discussions, analytical speeches, and practical cases — from regulatory policy and exports to AI and energy efficiency. The focus was on practical solutions that businesses can apply today. The media partner of the event was 1+1 media.
The event was opened by Oksana Hutsait (ICTV) and Tetiana Smirnova (Ekonomika+). In her keynote speech, Oleksandra Matviichuk (Center for Civil Liberties) spoke about the power of dignity and responsibility, emphasizing that true hope manifests not in expectations, but in conscious action and the ability to participate in change.
Where businesses should look for growth points in times of uncertainty and the key principles of a new management architecture were discussed by Vitalii Lubinets (WIN WIN CLUB), Tymur Kozonov (Foundation Coffee Roasters), Maryna Mkrticheva (Magnet Legal Law Firm), Oleksandr Bilyi (1+1 media), and Valentyna Sakhno (Kyiv School of Economics).
The question of whether “white” business today is an obligation or a growth tool was discussed by Yevhen Riiako (RIYAKO&PARTNERS), Vasyl Danyliak (OKKO), Andrii Lukasevych (Philip Morris Ukraine), Danylo Hetmantsev (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), and Andrii Bukin (Pivdennyi Bank). Participants emphasized that shadow business is losing, while transparent business provides access to financing and offers prospects for development.
A special guest of the summit was the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov. In an on-stage interview, he noted that it is critically important for Ukraine to move away from a raw-material-based model and focus on the production of high value-added goods. This primarily concerns the development of mechanical engineering and the defense technology sector, which will allow the country to take a competitive position in the global arms market.
During the discussion on the transformation of Ukrainian exports, Taras Vysotskyi (Ministry of Economy of Ukraine), Olena Borysova (Gastro Family), Anna Derevianko (European Business Association), Hennadii Chyzhykov (Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Oleh Zapletniuk (TAS Agro), Dmytro Kysylevskyi (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), Larysa Bondarieva (Raiffeisen Bank), and Yurii Sorochynskyi (Nemiroff) discussed barriers to entering new markets, effective models of international partnership, and noted that “Made in Ukraine” has become a conscious choice of support.
Illia Polshakov (Kyivstar) presented the results of cooperation with Starlink Direct to Cell — a technology that allows regular 4G smartphones to automatically connect to a satellite signal even in areas without coverage, ensuring continuity of business communications.
Oleksandr Leshchenko (LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS), Yuliia Ponomarenko (AB InBev Efes Ukraine), Olha Vasylevska-Smahliuk (Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine), Taras Shydlyk (Starlight Media), Yurii Polishchuk (Foxtrot), and Yurii Bondar (ARX) discussed companies’ adaptation to risks and losses, emphasizing that the key challenges for businesses during wartime are the loss of employees and consumers, access to financing, and the effectiveness of insurance and compensation mechanisms.
Andrii Semchenko (INGO) spoke about how insurance helps businesses survive under shelling and why war risks are already a reality that can be managed.
Marta Levchenko (City of Goodness, I Am the Future of Ukraine) spoke about business responsibility toward the future and emphasized that decisions made by companies today shape the country after the war.
Within the panel on social responsibility, Tetiana Smirnova (Ekonomika+), Liudmyla Novak (Interpipe), Taras Kytsmei (SoftServe), Yuliia Yarmolenko (Kyiv BKK), Halyna Solovei (Ronald McDonald House Charities Foundation), Iryna Mietniova (Vandog Agency), and Serhii Prytula (Serhii Prytula Charity Foundation) emphasized that social impact is no longer an “optional extra” and must function as part of a business model with clear metrics integrated into company strategies.
Maryna Pavliuk (Glovo in Ukraine), Svitlana Onishchenko (SharksCode), Yevhenii Bachynskyi (Sigma Software), Serhii Martynchuk (Cisco Ukraine), Oleksandr Krakovetskyi (DevRain), Nataliia Liashchenko (KYIV24), and Mykola Tkachenko (Astarta-Kyiv) reflected on the boundary between applied AI solutions and hype, areas of measurable impact from artificial intelligence, and approaches to AI risk management.
Pavlo Tsaruk (TAS Insurance Group) spoke about ways to achieve business results, emphasizing systematic daily action as a strategy for real outcomes.
Within the discussion on energy efficiency, Olha Buslavets (Honored Power Engineer of Ukraine, PhD), Serhii Kovalenko (YASNO), Serhii Yevtushenko (UDP Renewables), Yana Shumunova (Sense Bank), Olha Rybachuk (Elementum Energy), and Mykhailo Bubnov (Schneider Electric) outlined approaches to crisis adaptation and finding new ways to optimize business, particularly through the integration of energy-efficient solutions.
The final block was a Q&A session on management mistakes with Vladyslav Antypov (CERN) and Artem Borodatiuk (FRACTAL), where they discussed intuitive management, the connection between managerial skills and the use of AI, burnout risks, and tools for leadership development.
At the end of the event, the TOP-50 business leaders were awarded according to the “TOP-100. Rankings of the Largest” magazine.
The organizers — the business/media bureau Ekonomika+ and the leader in business content Delo.ua — express their gratitude to the partners:
Main partners: Sense Bank, LESHCHENKO & PARTNERS
General media partner: Starlight Media
As well as partners Kyivstar, KSE, Linkos Group, coffee partner Foundation Coffee Roasters, water partner Morshynska, alcohol partner Aznauri, sweet partner BKK.
Media partners: Megapolis+ advertising holding, Infovision, VS Media, We Are Ukraine, We Are Ukraine+, ICTV, 1+1 media, KYIV24, Apostrophe media holding, espreso.tv, UNN, HiTech Expert, Kyiv1, Logist.fm, Komersant Ukrainskyi, Dilova Stolytsia, Burda media Ukraine, Glavkom, trueua, ProfBuild magazine, Marketer.ua, Founder, Economist, budynok.com.ua, 44.ua, Economic News, Expert, First Business Channel, HR Liga, Mind.ua, mc.today, InVenture, Occupational Safety and Fire Safety, European Business Association, Union of Entrepreneurs and Employers of Poland.
